Innovation Strategy for Smart Specialisation of the Republic of Bulgaria

The Innovation Strategy for Smart Specialisation of the Republic of Bulgaria (ISIS) is a strategic framework for sustainable development based on research and innovation, on the territorial capacities and ambitions of the regions and on broad stakeholder participation. The ISSS 2021-2027 covers public instruments and policies, supporting both technological and non-technological innovation, and aims to stimulate the transformation of society and the economy based on data and knowledge and geared towards Industry 4.0, as well as supporting the green transition.

Objectives :

The strategy aims to transform Bulgaria into an innovative, smart, green, digital and connected country through a new common policy for interaction between research, innovation and technology, as well as increased international and cross-sectoral cooperation and intensive use of data for accelerated specialization in products and services with high technological and scientific intensity and significant economic impacts for sustainable competitiveness, technological transformation of the economy, increased resource efficiency and digital. The Strategy defines five thematic areas where Bulgaria has a competitive advantage and capacity for smart specialisation and should focus its efforts on their accelerated development. The scope of the strategy is thus broadened by increasing the focus on the existing ISSS 2014-2020 priority thematic areas and refining their sub-areas, including for individual regions and administrative areas. Thus defined, the thematic areas may be subject to change subject to proven stakeholder interest and capacity, which will require public and political will to unite around a common vision and actions for the prosperity of society and to address socio-economic challenges.

The five areas are:

Informatics and ICT;
Mechatronics and microelectronics;
Industry for healthy living, bioeconomy and biotechnology;
New technologies in the creative and recreational industries;
Clean technology, circular and low carbon economy.

Digitalisation in the context of Industry 4.0 will be included as a horizontal priority and will be present in all five thematic areas of smart specialisation.