On 15 October 2025, the GREENSMARTMED partner SZREDA will host a landmark international event celebrating 30 years of the Stara Zagora Regional Economic Development Agency (SZREDA), a milestone reflecting three decades of innovation, collaboration, and sustainable regional growth. This event is not only a major moment for SZREDA to showcase its achievements but also a key platform for GREENSMARTMED partners to highlight their collaborative efforts in fostering resilient, circular, and inclusive regional economies. The event will be held at Regional library “Zahariy Knyazheski, Amphitheatre conference hall, Tsentar, bul. “Ruski” 44, 6000 Stara Zagora, Bulgaria.
Under the title “Connecting the Dots: Stakeholders in Dialogue for the Future”, the anniversary will feature high-level discussions, keynote speeches, and thematic panels on sustainable development, innovation ecosystems, and access to finance – reinforcing SZREDA’s pivotal role as a regional enabler and the relevance of GREENSMARTMED’s mission.
The event will gather European institutions, research centers, universities, and business networks to discuss regional development, innovation ecosystems, and the future of cohesion policy. The programme includes institutional greetings, a keynote by Prof. John Bachtler, and thematic panels addressing key topics for the green and digital transition.
Agenda Highlights
12:45 – 13:30 | Registration, Coffee & Light Lunch
13:30 – 14:15 | Official Opening
Greetings from the Mayor of Stara Zagora, the EU Representation in Bulgaria, DG REGIO, and academic experts.
Moderator: Slavtcho Neykov
14:15 – 14:45 | Keynote
“Regional Development in Europe: Lessons from the Past and Messages for the Future” – Prof. John Bachtler
14:45 – 15:15 | 30 Years of SZREDA
Reflections by former Executive Directors Ms. Petya Atsinova and Dr. Rumyana Grozeva.
Moderator: Slavtcho Neykov
15:15 – 15:45 | Coffee Break
The afternoon will feature parallel sessions, including the panel on “Access to Finance”, where Agapi Teftiki, Research Associate at CERTH, will represent GREENSMARTMED. Her contribution will showcase good practices from partner regions and demonstrate how collaborative models and innovation ecosystems can enhance SMEs’ resilience and competitiveness, fully aligned with the project’s objectives.
Other confirmed panelists include:
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Mr. Benoit Nadler, DG REGIO, European Commission
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Ms. Liliana Fonseca, European Policies Research Centre, Delft
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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lefteris Topaloglou, University of Western Macedonia, Greece
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Mr. Kristian Østergaard Johansen, Green Hub, Aalborg, Denmark
Moderator: Prof. Darina Zaimova, Trakia University
GREENSMARTMED’s participation underscores the strong synergy with SZREDA’s 30-year mission of promoting sustainable regional development and European cooperation, marking both a milestone in SZREDA’s history and a shared commitment to advancing Mediterranean innovation for the future.
📅 Find more about in the full agenda
