BARDA has been involved in various international technical assistance projects, including:

BioCulture (399 973 EUR), 2007-2009: the project is related to the culture and language skills for both mobility and exports in the biotechnology sector. It involves partner organisations from: England (EEDA - East of England Development Agency and Dialogue Language Services), Bulgaria (BARDA), Denmark (Medicon Valley Academy) and Italy (Bioindustry Park del Canavese). There is a healthy transfer of scientists across European states, particularly in the field of bench-to-bench collaboration, yet insufficient language and culture resource to support those SMEs and other organisations which employ them. Equally, these SMEs are striving to export their expertise, which in itself requires language and culture skills in relation to key markets. This project aims to fill these gaps in accordance with the Lisbon agenda, as well as to provide a platform for both providers of professional language services and strategic funding partners in the partner countries to identify specific skills gaps and plan appropriate training programmes to address these needs. The project builds on the successful work of the HARVEST project.

The core project activity is implemented to the 3 main biotechnology regions in Europe, namely Silicon Fen (East of England), Medicon Valley (Denmark, Sweden) and Biovalley (Switzerland, Germany, France, Italy). The project runs along the audit – develop – test cycle, and engages with up to 140 SMEs with the aim of assessing existing language competence, skills gaps, degrees of strategic planning and readiness, and preferred methods of training. Materials development focuses on the creation and adaptation of language (max 2 language over 8 modules), cultural (up to 4 markets) and intercultural materials (1 set of materials). The project also develops an interactive road map of provision targeted at meeting the skills gaps identified in the audits, this road map being available in both paper, electronic and web-based format building on the Leonardo HARVEST roadmap. 

The project leads to improved business success through the utilisation of cultural differences in bench-to-bench collaboration and increased competitiveness vis-à-vis the global marketplace. It also facilitates human fulfilment and responsible growth.

VISIBLE: “Validation Issues Induct a Basis for Learning Evaluation” (479 249 EUR), 2007-2009: is aimed to develop a validation methodology for non-formal learning process in order to allow the European Development Agencies and the Local Development Actors to recognize organizational positions and related competences. The project involves partner organisations from: Italy (Sviluppo Marche S.p.A. EC Società Unipersonale and G.A.L. Ogliastra), Bulgaria (BARDA), Hungary (DEKUT Research and Innovation Non-profit Organisation), Belgium (European Consortium for the Learning Organisation), France (FIVAL - Interprofessional Federation of horsing sports, leisure horsing and work horses), Norway (NAAL - The Norwegian Association for Adult Learning), Romania (South-East Regional Development Agency) and Slovakia (Regional Development Agency Senec - Pezinok).

In particular, each partner organization involved identifies clearly the positions of his colleagues, their competencies and their responsibilities. The focus of the project is on the position of Project Manager (PM), a key role in RDAs, in order to facilitate the transition from rhapsodic common projects to models of permanent mutual co-operation between RDAs. They need to reduce organizational barriers by exploiting the potential of staff exchange and even European job mobility. A common horizon of vocational training, where not only the settings and practices of learning are shared, but also the key references and standards, is a crucial precondition for this process to start.
Besides technical background PM need to have more crucial competences, the horizontal ones, such as, for example, Organizing, Networking and Communication to continuously improve through a non-formal learning process that the Project identifies in the “Case Histories”.

Visible’s purpose is to transform these case histories into a non-formal learning patrimony for the whole sector of European DAs and more advanced, to establish Visible as a common methodology of validation of non-formal learning for horizontal competencies.

More information could be found at: http://www.visibleproject.eu

MINEM: “Meeting the Information Needs of Economic Migrants” (299 912 EUR), 2006–2008: The project aims to develop and test innovative instruments which facilitate the geographic and labour market mobility of workers and their families and remove existing obstacles to mobility. The project involves partners from: U.K. (Community Action Dacorum & East of England Development Agency), Bulgaria (BARDA), Poland (Regional Labour Office – Krakow), Portugal (Agencia de Desenvolvimento Regional de Tras-os-Montes e Alto Douro) and Spain (AFIES Foundation – Fondacion Asistencial para la Formacion, Investigacion y Estudio).

The project envisages research of the complexities, needs and opportunities for migrant workers in each partner location, development of effective tools and strategies that assist in raising awareness and understanding prior to departure from home country, development of support mechanisms, appreciation and understanding of barriers and opportunities both within the workplace and wider community of the country to which the migrant worker has travelled. The project uses the results of the research to influence policy-makers and politicians at regional, national and EU levels.

More precisely, the project:

1. Produces a series of pre-arrival information packs to assist prospective migrant workers consider the advantages and disadvantages of migrating to another country to find employment
2. Produces DVD that includes information in the pre-arrival pack, plus more detailed information on practical implications of migration to another country displaying this in a visual format. The DVD is aimed at both migrant workers and employers in terms of using role models to communicate key messages that raise awareness. The DVD targets also policy-makers and strategists with a view to influencing and shaping future policies and legislation
3. Holds job awareness events, networks and seminars in each partner location to engage with employers from the private and public sectors, migrant workers, support agencies and the wider community
4. Researches in each partner location into the current position relating to migrant workers, in terms of travel patterns, numbers, areas of employment engaging, the skill sets of migrant workers and how these relate to skill shortages, barriers faced in terms of housing, language, social structures, support from the state, etc.
5. Develops a project website to enable effective communication of project activity to a wider audience

HARVEST: “Holistic Approach to Regional Vocational Sector-based Training” (490 940 EUR), 2006–2008: The project aims to provide a platform for both providers of professional language services and strategic funding partners in the East of England, Hungary, Poland and Bulgaria to identify specific skills gaps and plan appropriate training programmes to address these needs. The project is a direct response to overcoming common barriers to international trade as identified within the economic strategies of the partner countries/regions.

The project will build on the experience of the language skills capacity audit conducted in 2003 in the East of England by CILT, the National Centre for Languages, and adapt these templates as a basis for conducting sectoral audits in the food and drink, agriculture and tourism sectors in addition to the industry sector of manufacture of wood products (specific to the Malopolska region). The audits shall target 300 companies in the 4 partner countries across the above-mentioned priority sectors, with the aim of assessing existing language competence, skills gaps, degrees of strategic planning and readiness, and preferred methods of training.

The project shall also develop an interactive road map of provision targeted at meeting the skills gaps identified in the audits, this road map being available in both paper, electronic and web-based format, and shall be a joint development by all 4 main partners. The road map is designed to provide a platform for the long-term engagement of providers of language services with SMEs. It will also provide funding organisations with clear evidence for the targeting of public resource to identified skills gaps.

As a third core activity, the project shall conduct materials testing (pilot training) with a selected number of up to 80 SMEs based across the 4 partner countries. The pilot shall be delivered in 2 stages: (1) a 2-day workshop geared to senior management, focussing on the benefits of training, issues related to training & qualifications, examples of good practice (case studies) and bad practice (poor or misleading translations), and (2) a 12-week language course for company staff. The materials used by the tutors (selected via the road map) shall be developed by academic partners from across all 4 countries, and shall form part of the valorisation activity.

Through its delivery the project shall raise awareness of the importance of effective international communication, language and intercultural competence. The project has the strength that although all participating regions have consistent and similar needs, the partners themselves bring a variety of strengths and target markets, as the project is represented by RDAs, Chambers, Vocational Colleges, strategic bodies and employer federations.

PRO-CHANGE: “Innovative Pan-European Structures for Managing Economic Change and Restructuring at Local Level” (1 351 342.36 EUR), 2005 –2007: The main idea of the project is the management of change (in terms of employment, employability and entrepreneurship) caused by the economic and social restructuring at local level. It involves partners from: Greece, Italy, U.K. and Bulgaria.

The main objective of the “PRO-CHANGE” project is to contribute to the enhancement of the communication and coordination among all organizations involved in relevant initiatives and programs at a local, national and pan-European level, as well as between these organizations and the beneficiaries of the respective initiatives, through the development of a Structure that will collect information, supply appropriate anticipation and adaptation tools and ensure the cooperation and interaction of all involved entities (beneficiaries and relevant organizations).

The project aims to develop a Structure that will bring together all responsible organizations of different regions and/or countries and will promote the diffusion of knowledge and best practices among them, so as to endorse local authorities of participating countries adopt forecasting and provisional mechanisms in order to more effectively face the consequences of economic restructuring. Thus, the benefits received by the target groups will increase and all initiatives and programs currently implemented at a local, national and/or pan-European level will be exploited in the best possible way. Finally, the organizations responsible for dealing with problems caused by restructuring at a local level will be supported by active policies through training and reinforcement programs that will improve their ability and readiness to face crisis.

More information could be found at: http://www.e-prochange.net/

2006-2007 EU PHARE BG 2003/004-937.11.01-2.011„Alternative Employment and European Criteria for Sustainable Micro- and Small-Sized Enterprises ”, (29 483,42 EUR). Project partners are: Regional Economic Development – Vratza, BARDA, Agency for Regional Development and Business Centre – Vidin, Municipality of Vratza, Business Centre and Business Incubator - Sofia. Project goals are: encouraging the alternative forms of economic activity in Vratza, increasing the employment possibilities and business management capacity, promotion of sustainable alternative forms of economic activity among start-ups and existing micro- and small-sized enterprises in North-Western Planning Region of Bulgaria. 

2005-2007 “Capacity Building for Sustainable Land Management in Bulgaria” Project - common initiative of United Nations Development Programme,  Ministry of Environment and Water and Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. The project is financed by the Global Environment Fund and co-financed by MoEW and supports the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification. BARDA is a partner in the frame of the project.

The project long-term development objective is to enhance the enabling environment and capacity for arresting land degradation and establishing sustainable land management practices, so as to contribute to enhancing ecosystem health, integrity, functions and services while promoting sustainable livelihoods in Bulgaria. The immediate objective of the project is to build capacity for sustainable land management, development and implementation of a coherent land policy. It focuses on mainstreaming, institutional and technical capacity building, and establishment of financial mechanisms and resource mobilization for sustainable land management.

The project expected outcomes are the following: sound land policy and a comprehensive legal and regulatory framework; institutional and technical capacity strengthened; local capacity strengthened for land planning, sustainable production, participatory decision-making, and monitoring; resources mobilized for NSAP implementation as well as innovative financial mechanisms and economic incentives.

2005-2006 Strengthening municipal capacities for identification and preparation of partnership projects to be funded by the Structural Funds

The project is a common initiative of the Embassy of the United Kingdom, United Nations Development Programme and Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works.

The objective of the project is to support regional development in Bulgaria by building the capacity of 93 municipalities, labour market bureaus, businesses and NGOs to establish effective partnerships for the identification and preparation of projects to be funded by the EU Structural Funds.

The focus of the project is public-private partnerships interpreted in the broad sense of partnership between the municipal administration, the private sector and NGOs. The project is implemented at municipal level in the following stages:

1. Training in public-private partnership

Trained Bulgarian experts by the project, from regional structures, deliver training in public-private partnership to approximately 20 staff of the municipal administration, labour market bureaus, local businesses and NGOs. During the training local needs and priorities are discussed and partnership projects which can qualify for funding under the EU Structural Funds are identified.

2. Establishment of Working Groups for the formulation of local priority partnership projects eligible for funding under the EU Structural Funds

The beneficiary municipality, with the support of the experts, is establishing a Working Group composed of staff of the municipal administration, labour market bureaus, local businesses and NGOs. The task of the Working Group is to discuss in detail the process for the formulation of the identified projects. 

3. Support to the formulation of partnership projects eligible for funding under the EU Structural Funds   

The trainers support the formulation of the identified projects. The support essentially consist of facilitation and methodological support to the local partners to prepare their joint projects. The experts also provide feedback on the quality of the draft project proposals prepared by the local actors as well as quality control on the final documents

EU.CL.I.D.E.project: “European Cluster Industrial Development through Mobility Experience in Europe)” (83 300 EUR), May 2005 – May 2006. The project involves regional authorities, vocational training organizations, SMEs and RDAs from Italy, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Poland, Bulgaria and the Czech Republic. The project aims at:

• Transferring/acquiring vocational education and training praxis and methodologies between bodies that work within common industrial sector. They exchange experiences/know-how reached in different countries and in different historical, social and economic contexts;

• Strengthening the trans-national cooperation between bodies involved into common  industrial context even in light of next further EU enlargement (2007);

• Improving the vocational education and training in order to enhance the competitiveness and the enterprise in the selected industrial sectors, even with the view to increase the employment.

Beneficiary SMEs in clusters from Marche region identify the following sectors of particular interest for cooperation: mechanics; food and agriculture; shoe and leather industry; furniture.

The project envisages organization of one-week experience related to vocational education and training in an EU or CEE Country. Moreover, seminars are organized to promote the project. Particularly a kick-off meeting, a meeting with the grant stakeholders and a post-experience meeting are planned to be organized in Marche Region Government seat.

At the same time, project coordinator is responsible to promote activities for the dissemination of the project results through the web pages within its own web-site, as well as printed documents (brochures, leaflets, etc.).

“STERE/O: Faire la chasse aux stereotypes de sexe agissant sur la division du travail dans l’Europe elargie” (511 913 EUR), December 2004 - February 2006: The project involves partner organisations from six countries: France, Belgium, Italy, Germany, Bulgaria and Hungary with significant previous experience in the implementation of similar projects thus combining their useful knowledge, experience, expertise and know-how. The project activities are implemented into three well-defined stages. The first phase is focused on existing situation analysis of gender stereotypes influencing work division of the East and West, in rural and urban areas. Two surveys are performed (field and Meta research) in each of the six participating partner countries in order to define existing gender stereotypes. A Guide called “About Gender Equality in Professional Life” is published and key messages are formulated. In the last phase project results are disseminated at both national and transnational level. Project coordination, as well as the organisation of national and transnational thematic workshops is performed throughout the whole project duration.

Interreg III B CADSES Project “Improving the Access of SMEs from Rural Regions to the Knowledge and Information Society” (1 750 000 EUR), May 2004-December 2005. The project “EMBRACE” aims to design, develop and implement specific spatial development policies, initiatives and actions for the benefit of SMEs located in rural and undeveloped urban areas of Greece, Austria, Italy, Hungary and Bulgaria, in order to increase their access to Knowledge and the Information Society. The ultimate goal is to overcome existing barriers that these SMEs face, by providing assistance and value-added advisory, e-commerce and information services, which can boost their efficiency and competitiveness, and lead to the development of transnational cooperation and globalization of activities.

“EMBRACE” is based on the formulation and adoption of coordinated / concerted policies and actions for (a) the improvement of access to knowledge and the information society for SMEs through state-of-the-art business support services, and (b) the utilization of Information and Communication Technologies through the establishment of a virtual network embracing all relevant stakeholders. Those policies, initiatives and actions derive from a thorough existing situation analysis in the participating countries (using desk and field research), from a synthetic diagnosis of the findings, as well as from benchmarking and identification of best practices worldwide.

Taking into account the above-mentioned results, the project establishes a pilot virtual network, available both online and offline, where SMEs can have access to a wide range of business services and tools, such as consulting and training in key topics, matchmaking for accessing investor funds, e-commerce (B2B cooperation with other firms / B2C channels for distributing their products online), etc.

So as to ensure the sound implementation and sustainability of the project, periodic assessments (ongoing, ex ante and ex post) are performed on the basis of predefined indicators related to performance, effectiveness and outputs. Specific plans for the project’s expansion and the utilization of its multiplier effects are also conducted. The project is finalized with the organization and execution of several dissemination activities towards the target audience, aiming to increase awareness and diffuse the project’s results among its end-users.

More information could be found at: http://www.e-embrace.net/embrace/

PHARE Project: BG 0004.02 "Investing in Business Incubators in Declined Industrial Areas", 2002 – 2005.  The project is aimed at establishing business incubators in declined industrial areas of Bulgaria, and more precisely, in the towns of: Madan, Kardjali, Vratsa, Mezdra, Belogradchik and Montana. BARDA takes the responsibility for the management of the first five incubators supported by its members.

The Bulgarian Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works provides the necessary resources for the construction works of the BI premises. The Technical Assistance consultants train the Management staff of all BI.

The management of BI is as follows:

• In Kardjali and Madan – by Regional Economic Development and Investment Agency (Kardjali);

• In Mezdra – Business Centre for SME Support (Rousse);

• In Belogradchik – Regional Agency for Economic Development (Blagoevgrad);

• In Vratsa – Regional Economic Development Agency (Vratsa).

BARDA Executive Secretariat (Sofia), as well as Business Information and Consulting Centre (Sandanski) could provide additional assistance and capacity for the management of the above-mentioned business incubators.

The aim of the signed tripartite contracts among the respective municipality (represented by the mayor); RDA from BARDA network and the associations for business incubation at local level is to:

• provide daily management of BI;

• provide high-quality business services to the companies in BI, as well as start-ups or already existing SMEs in the region, such as consultations in the field of: marketing, advertising; distribution and sales of their products; preparation of business plans in accordance with the regional development plans and BI strategies.

The capacity for the management of BIs and provision of support services to SMEs within BARDA network is built up with the financial support of EU and the involvement of BARDA RDAs in the project is a logical continuation of the efforts of PHARE Programme for supporting the SME sector in Bulgaria.

More information could be found at: http://www.bgincubator.net/

CIDA Project: “Gender Mainstreaming in Social Policy and Programmes”, August 2004 – August 2005. The project is targeted as a support programme for the authorities in Bulgaria and Romania responsible for the design and implementation of social policy and programmes. It aims at improving the capacity among decision-makers at local level in relation to the implementation and monitoring of gender mainstreaming in various social sectors. Totally 80 representatives of partner organisations, including BARDA, are trained under the project.  Training materials and manual are developed by the Romanian partner and adjusted in accordance with the Bulgarian legislation. The manual is published and disseminated among all partner structures. The leading partner, “Centre for Women’s Studies and Policies”, has already updated its web-site www.cwsp.bg with a new page, which plays the role of electronic resource centre on gender mainstreaming issues. The project is envisaged to finish with a National conference for exchange of best practices in gender mainstreaming in Bulgaria, as well as International Experts’ meeting for exchanging the experience acquired within the project by the partners and invited experts from South-East Europe (Romania, Serbia, Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Turkey) and the Netherlands.

More information could be found at: http:// www.cwsp.bg

“Strengthening of Municipalities and Regional Capacity – Dissemination of Good Practices” (75 000 GBP), September 2004 – February 2005 – The project is funded by DFID and started in May 2001. It is its continuation because of the good results achieved in the implementation of preceding project activities. The project is managed by ITS Consulting Ltd. with significant experience in the municipal and regional development in various regions of the world including Bulgaria. The project aims to establish vertical and horizontal links among all stakeholders in the process of regional development at four levels – municipal, district, planning region and national. The main objective is to build up capacity at both district and planning region level in order to support the access of the regions to EU funds; to support municipalities in improving the strategic planning process; provision of services and use of their own resources.

The project is implemented in two separate Modules: “Partners for Projects” and “Partners for Development”.

“Partners for Development” is a training programme for development of municipal strategies, which after certain adaptation could support the strategic planning process at district level. The project activities are implemented in six districts in South Central, South Western and North Western planning regions. The training is divided into theoretical modules and practical sessions. The typical training comprises revision of the respective theoretical materials, case studies, and discussions.  All the participants are divided into small groups for the practical training sessions, which aims to develop a municipal strategy by the involvement of all stakeholders at local level and building up partnerships.

“Partners for Projects” is a training programme for building up of partnerships among municipalities, districts and NGOs in the above-mentioned planning regions with the aim of development and implementation of projects. The methodology used is the same as in the “Partners for Development” modules. At the end of the programme all the groups are envisaged to present and defend a project proposal before the project team.

More information could be found at - http://www.partnersknowhow.com/

EU PHARE Project “Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) as a Tool for Enhancing Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Development within the Enlarged Internal Market” (62 353 EUR), 2003-2004: The project is aimed to develop, promote and organise exchange of experience between participating RDAs and dissemination of the results to a wider public of regional, national and EU policy makers. At the same time it provides technical support, facilitates interregional project development and evaluates the business impact on the biggest enlargement. Now more them ever RDAs can move to step up their efforts to create a business friendly environment, reduce bureaucracy and ensure that laws and regulations do not impose an unnecessary burden on enterprises. BARDA participates in the project as a partner of RDA Murcia. A number of specific actions is aimed to raise awareness on the business communities in CEEC will prepare the celebration of a 3-days International Forum in Murcia where delegates from partner RDAs and invited representatives of the Ministries in charge of Internal Market in the ten eligible candidate countries will upgrade their professional skills through training and practical study visits on issues related to Internal Market, exchange of experiences and RDA benchmarking, etc. Technical assistance and cooperation initiatives between the partners will provide some follow-up before the finalization of the project.

More information could be found at: http://www.ifrm-murcia.es/phare

Municipal and Association Capacity Improvement Programme (MACIP) (34 549 EUR), 2002 – 2004: the project is a result of the MACIP programme funded by the government of the Netherlands and their MATRA program and implemented by VNG Internation (The Dutch Association of the Municipalities) and their official representative for Bulgaria – Urban International Associates. The Programme is implemented by BARDA in partnership with some other organizations, which will continue to support Bulgarian municipalities and associations after the end of the project. The main objective of the project is to improve the environment and factors that impact the local economic development with a focus on creating new opportunities for active involvement and combining the efforts of the municipality, business and local community in the field of economic development.

Within the project there were implemented activities in the following two aspects:

1.Establishment and applying a model for local economic development

The project used the results of a successful model for local decentralization through the establishment of Business Improvement Districts (BIDs). BID is a special technique for local economic development. It has been developed with the purpose of self-supporting a given business community through the establishment of partnerships with the municipality and other institutions, which cooperation will help to solve the problems of the selected region. Thus the local authorities and the business communities start working together and the result is increased thrust between the community and local authority institutions. Razgrad was chosen as a pilot municipality at the start of the project since the municipality had made a lot of efforts in order to solve the local economic development problems in the region. Furthermore, it had drafted a strategic plan for development, as well as well-functioning Centre for Economic Development.

2. Preparation of a Training Model for Local Economic Development

In order to disseminate their experience from Razgrad, the project experts developed a Manual for establishment of BIDs and a Training module to it on general topics for local economic development in order more municipalities to be able to get familiarized with this new technique.  

Canada-Bulgaria Export Marketing Training Project (640 000 USD), 2001 – 2004: the project is implemented in partnership between BARDA, the Bulgarian Trade Promotion Agency (BTPA) and the Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership (STEP) with the financial support of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). In the First Phase of the project representatives of BARDA and BTPA assisted Canadian specialists in designing a training of trainers manual on Export Marketing. In the Second Phase, Canadian specialists delivered a two-week workshop for 50 Bulgarian trainers from BARDA, BTPA and other business support organisations. In the Third Phase, the trained Bulgarian Trainers delivered eight regional workshops to a total of over 120 small Bulgarian companies from the agro-food sector. In the Fourth Phase a team of the top six trainers and companies went on a trade mission to Germany and Canada in order to establish direct business contact. The project is currently in its Fifth Phase when is envisaged the involvement of a long-term Canadian expert who will assist BARDA and BTPA in developing an Exporter’s Manual and preparation of long-term business plans for adapting the training to other industrial sectors and offering sustainable training services with regards to international trade.

Pilot Programme for Municipal Funds and Social Enterprise, (106, 000 BGN), 2002 – 2003: the project is implemented in partnership with Counterpart Int. and is funded by USAID. The objective of this pilot programme is to establish 10-15 Social Enterprises in Bulgaria, to set up a Social Enterprise Fund to ensure access to Social Enterprise funding and to publicize the practice of Social Enterprises as a means of ensuring sustainability through performing for profit activities. These enterprises are 23 previously chosen NGOs working for the benefit of disadvantaged social groups to achieve financial independence. The participants go through a thorough organizational assessment of their capabilities and their training needs. BARDA consultants provide basic and advance long-term training which provides the NGOs with knowledge, skills and attitudes for management of the social enterprises. The previously selected NGOs also obtain one-to-one consultations in order to become more sustainable and improve the chances of survival. BARDA Executive Secretariat reports monthly, coordinates and monitors the consultation process in a way that the consultants most effectively use the technical assistance to support the development of viable Social Enterprises. Special attention is paid to setting up networks among Social Enterprises and business support organizations. For this reason the partnership network is expected to function as an open system ready to include every emerging Social Enterprise.

EU PHARE Project “Capacity Building for the Accelerated Growth of the SME Sector in Bulgaria” (2.8 mln Euro), 2000 – 2002: the project aims to assist the creation of an improved climate for the growth of SMEs by helping to strengthen two institutions – the Agency for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (ASME) and BARDA who form an important part of the information, training and policy-making infrastructure for the Bulgarian SME sector. The project assists ASME, which is a governmental agency, with regards to the development of SME conducive policies and legislation, and assists BARDA in providing direct services to SMEs at regional level. Under the project, a comprehensive training program was delivered, enhancing trainers and consultants’ skills in the area of:

• RDA Management

• Business Consulting

• Business Planning

• Marketing & Sales for SMEs

• SME Financial Analysis

• Human Resource Management

• Introduction to Quality Management Systems

• Project Cycle Management

• Financial Management of NGOs

• Management Accounting for NGOs

Interreg II Programme, Project: "Reinforcing Interregional Entrepreneurial Activities with the Use of Electronic Training Material", 2001 – BARDA partnered with the Chamber of Commerce of Drama, Greece in producing 2 CD-Roms covering three topics - Quality, SME Setup in Bulgaria, Contemporary Marketing Management Techniques. The CDs contain information in English and Greek about Bulgarian legislation impacting business and investment, trade information, the banking system and other topics that can provide potential investors with an impression of the conditions and the environment for establishment and management of small foreign companies or joint ventures in Bulgaria. The CDs were presented at an International Conference “SMEs – New Technologies and Financial Institutions”, organized in Sofia.

“Preparation and Institutional Building of ASME Regional Offices” and “Preparation for SMEs Management Working in Market Economy Conditions”, 2001 – 2002 the project is unpaid agreement between the Bulgarian Government, the Government of the French-speaking Community and the Government of Wallon Region, Belgium. It is collaboration between ASME and State Institute for Preparation and Training of SMEs, Wallon, Belgium. BARDA, BCCI and ASME are partners in the implementation of the projects that include technical assistance to and training of Bulgarian entrepreneurs in Belgium.

Operational Approach towards Decision-making at Company, Local, and Regional Levels, (105, 000 Euro), 2001 – 2002: BARDA is a partner to the Institute for Market Economy in the implementation of this project, funded under the PHARE Access Program. The project includes development and implementation of Operational Decision-Making Models at SMEs and Local Authority levels in two pilot Bulgarian regions.

Training Sessions in International Trade, 2001 – 2002: a joint project with the Walloon Region of Belgium and the French-speaking Institute for Administration and Management, which includes training in international trade, delivered in French, to French-speaking Bulgarian SME managers. Trainers were representatives of Belgian Universities – world recognized experts in the field of international trade.

“Financial Institutions for the Municipality Development”, (26, 000 USD), 2000 – 2001: study visit to the US on the subject: “Financial institutions for the municipality development”. RDAs directors and members of the Executive Secretariat, along with the ASME team, as well as of representatives of the United Bulgarian Bank and the municipalities, had an opportunity to participate in trainings in the field of financing of the municipality development. An action plan was developed and a survey on the possibilities for effective applying of the American experience in Bulgaria.

Start Your Business Training, 1998 – 2000, BARDA members in cooperation with the National Employment Agency implemented in their respective regions the UNDP/ILO-supported Start Your Business (SYB) training programme comprising training of trainers and delivery of training courses for unemployed and emerging entrepreneurs as part of their commitment to unemployment reduction. Currently BARDA members are licensed to the deliver the SYB training using the ILO methodology and training materials and continue to deliver the training as part of regional employment initiatives.

BARDA members individually or cooperatively participate in numerous other projects supporting regional and SME development.