Agenda for a Five-Day Summer Training Programme - October 20-24, 2025

Day 1 - October 20, 2025

Visits to Burgas Universities

12:00-14:45 - Visit to „Burgas Free University“
• Organized tour of the university campus and lectures
15:00-17:30 - Visit to Burgas State University „Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov”
• Guided tour of the university campus and lectures

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Day 2 - October 21, 2025

Boat Trips from Burgas Marine Station

Departure: 09:00 | Return: 17:00
Location: Burgas Marine Station / Sea Terminal, „Magazia 1” port area
Programme:
Boat trip to St. Anastasia Island - the only inhabited and tourist-developed Bulgarian island in the Black Sea
Boat trip and visit to Chengene Skele Cultural and Tourist Complex

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Day 3 - October 22, 2025
Trip to Varna
Departure: 09:00 | Return: 16:00
Route: Burgas - Varna - Burgas
Programme:
Partner meeting at the Institute of Oceanology, including a tour and lectures
Visit to the Institute of Hydrodynamics, including a tour and lectures

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Day 4 - October 23, 2025
09:00-14:30 - Partner Meeting at Flora Exhibition Center (located in the Sea Garden)
Topic: “Blue Energy”
Guest Lecturers: Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”
15:00-16:30 - Visit to Bering Yachts Bulgaria Ltd
International yacht company engaged in the design and production of luxury expedition yachts and catamarans intended for long-range and autonomous sailing

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Day 5 - October 24, 2025
International Congress Center Burgas (ICCB) - Port of Burgas
Final International Forum: “Black Sea 2030: Partnership for a Sustainable Future”
08:30-09:00 - Registration at ICCB
09:00-10:00 - Opening High-Level Panel
Black Sea 2030: Partnership for a Sustainable Future

Welcome and official opening:
• Dimitar Nikolov, Mayor of Burgas
• Ekaterina Zaharieva, Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation, European Commission (video message)
From Policy to Practice: Developing a Roadmap for Accelerated Blue Growth in the Black Sea Region

Moderators:
• Atanaska Nikolova, Co-founder and Chair of the Board, ProspektiM Association
• Ruska Boyadzhieva, Executive Director, Burgas - 2032 Foundation

Key topics:
• Sustainable urban development and the future of Black Sea municipalities
• Policies and measures for a sustainable blue economy
• Marine environment protection and climate change adaptation
• Innovation, digitalization, and low-carbon development

Speakers:
• Manol Genov, Minister of Environment and Water
• Zhecho Stankov, Minister of Energy
• Lozana Vasileva, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food
• Georg Georgiev, Minister of Foreign Affairs (greeting message)
• Miroslav Borshosh, Minister of Tourism
• Vladimir Krumov, Governor of Burgas Region
• Prof. Dr. Sotir Sotirov, Rector, Burgas State University “Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov”
• Prof. Dr. Milen Baltov, Rector, „Burgas Free University“

10:30-10:45 - Leading European Commission Initiatives
Strategic Approach to the Black Sea and the Ocean Pact
Charlina Vicheva, Director, DG Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, European Commission

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10:45-11:30 - Panel I: Sustainable Development of Black Sea Municipalities - From Policy to Action
Moderator:
• Yordanka Chobanova, Head of the European Commission Representation in Bulgaria

Key topics:
• Unlocking the potential of the Black Sea region for sustainable blue growth
• Overcoming gaps in technical and ecological infrastructure, and funding opportunities for cities
• Smart cities: partnerships with businesses and academia for improved urban environments

Speakers:
• Stanimir Apostolov, Deputy Mayor, Burgas Municipality
• Assoc. Prof. Dr. Stelian Dimitrov, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”
• Assoc. Prof. Dr. Todor Chobanov, Deputy Minister of Culture
• Georgi Petkov, Executive Director, Local Action Group Pomorie (MIRG Pomorie), Non-Governmental Organization (NGO)
• Ilze Atanasova, Chair of the Board, Maritime Cluster Bulgaria

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11:30-12:15 - Panel II: Marine Environment Protection and Climate Change Adaptation

Moderator:
• Maya Ruseva, Director, Strategic Development Directorate, Burgas Municipality

Key topics:
• Current state of the marine environment and biodiversity
• Balancing economic growth and environmental protection – best practices
• Pollution reduction, waste management, and plastic elimination
• Coastal resilience strategies and disaster risk reduction
• Innovation and business models for marine environment protection

Speakers:
• Reneta Koleva, Deputy Minister of Environment and Water
• Eolina Milova, Senior Environmental Specialist, World Bank
• Prof. Dr. Valentina Todorova, Institute of Oceanology, BAS
• Prof. Dr. Valentina Todorova, Institute of Oceanology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS)
• Dr. Dimitar Popov, Project Coordinator, Green Balkans

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12:15-13:15 - Lunch Break

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13:15-13:30 - Keynote Speaker
• George Kremliis, Honorary Director, European Commission; Director, Institute for Climate and Circular Economy, European Public Law Organization

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13:30-14:15 - Panel III: Marine Business - Partner and Driver for a Sustainable Future

Moderator:
• Ivelina Strateva, Director, Economics and Business Activities Directorate, Burgas Municipality

Key topics:
• Blue economy and sustainable development: successful practices
• Challenges for maritime business in the green and digital transition
• Policy proposals and practical measures to reduce administrative barriers
• Initiatives to accelerate the transition to a sustainable blue economy

Speakers:
• Rositsa Stoeva, National Coordinator, Bulgarian Presidency of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC)
• Dimitar Enchev, Co-founder and Managing Partner, PostScriptum Ventures
• Stoyan Kotov, Director, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Directorate, Ministry of Agriculture
• Prof. Dr. Ana Gavrilovich, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb

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14:15-15:00 - Panel IV: Innovation and Digitalization for Sustainable Development

Moderator:
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lenia Gonsalvesh, Burgas State University “Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov”

Key topics:
• From science to industry: practical innovation examples
• Sustainable fisheries and aquaculture
• Digital solutions for environmental monitoring
• Smart technologies for cities and coastal communities
• Innovation and digitalization challenges for maritime business
• Incentives for adopting low-carbon technologies
• Supporting startups and young innovators

Speakers:
• Eli Shtereva, European Projects Manager, F6S - iMERMAID Project
• Assoc. Prof. Dr. Husein Yemendzhiev, Burgas State University; ENOVA H2O Startup
• Assist. Prof. Dr. Martin Iliev, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”
• Assoc. Prof. Dr. Veselina Jecheva, „Burgas Free University“

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15:00-15:30 - Forum Closing

Moderator:
• Ivelina Vasileva, Board Member, Mission for Ocean, Seas, and Inland Waters, European Commission

Key topics:
• Youth in Action
• Moderator’s summary
• Presentation of accompanying events
• Official closing of the forum