ICT Cluster Burgas launched a project that will be implemented with the financial support of the Norwegian Financial Mechanism (Norway Grants) 2014-2021, program  "Business Development, Innovation and Small and Medium Enterprises".

The ICT Greening Up Initiative will initiate the green transformation of the information and communication technologies (ICT) sector in the Burgas region.

The ICT Cluster Burgas team will carry out the activities in partnership with "ProspectiM Association" and with the active participation of ICT-Norway.

The project relies on the concept of creating a regional supporting ecosystem that will facilitate the sustainable transformation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from the ICT sector established in the area.

The initiative will accelerate the creation and support the new generation of ICT companies and entrepreneurs who are "born green" and will also support the transition from traditional to more sustainable business models.

By improving the energy efficiency of businesses, as well as by introducing the principles of the circular economy, SMEs and start-ups will reduce the cost of production/services. Also, in the long run, companies will become greener in terms of their products and services. In this way, the project will support the competitiveness of the sector and its potential for innovation and expansion.

The ICT Greening Up initiative will facilitate networking. As part of the project, webinars will be organized to raise awareness among SMEs and start-ups about their environmental impact and the potential business benefits of the transformation. The webinars will be available on a dedicated ICT Greening Up Initiative website. There will also be specialized information with a focus on competitive advantages for ICT companies investing in transforming their work and production towards a sustainable mode. 

The initiative will provide local business with support, training and competence building on topics such as sustainable business models, green innovation, circular economy and resource and energy efficiency. 

Interactive seminars and trainings will be organized to increase the knowledge and capacity of SMEs and start-ups and accelerate the greening process. Experts - practitioners and researchers working in the field of circular economy and climate neutrality will be speakers to the Burgas audience.

The final event of the ICT Greening Up Initiative will be an international high-level conference, which will include representatives of the ICT sector from Bulgaria and Norway, regional and national authorities, universities and scientific communities; representatives of international (EU) institutions and organizations. The event will provide a forum for open discussions, B2B meetings, companies will be able to get information about the available funding opportunities for green innovation, as well as opportunities to present new green ICT products, technological innovations and find markets.

The added value of the project is the established good working relationships between Bulgarian and Norwegian companies, institutions and communities.

see the project