1 Bulgarian Association of Regional Development Agencies Wednesday, June 08, “Business Centre Conference and Exhibition” 9 th -11 th June 2005 “Business Centre Conference and Exhibition” 9 th -11 th June 2005

BARDA 2 What is BARDA (1) 20 Regional Development Agencies and SME Support Centres (RDAs) B A R D A General Member Assembly Management Board Executive Secretariat in Sofia

BARDA 3 What is BARDA (2) Legally independent, non-governmental umbrella organisation. Decentralised association of regional development agencies and business centres whose main activities are directed predominantly towards regional development and SMEs support.

BARDA 4 Our Mission Improved Economic Environment in Bulgaria through Measures for Encouragement of Entrepreneurial Initiative and Employment in Accordance with Economic Development Strategies of the Regions A Viable Network of Sustainable Local Entities that Foster Regional Development in Bulgaria Regional Development Agencies and Business Centres B A R D A Operational Objective

BARDA 5 BARDA History BARDA was established in 1997 on request by the different regional SME support initiatives as a non- governmental, decentralized and independent NGO with the assistance of EEC/ILO/GOPA (through the GTZ Program: “Vocational Training and Active Employment Measures”)

BARDA 6 BARDA Network  Sofia Pazardjik Plovdiv Dobrich Rousse Blagoevgrad Sandanski Haskovo Stara Zagora Sliven Varna Shumen Pleven Vidin full members  associate members Vratza Pernik  Samokov  Gabrovo  Razgrad  Yambol Kardjali

BARDA 7 Participation in Organisations and Advisory Bodies INTERNATIONAL LEVEL EURADA UNECE Multiplier Point in Bulgaria NATIONAL LEVEL Coordination Council and Working Group for NDP Working Group for ROP ASME Advisory Council National Expert Commission at MRDP Participation on Steering Committees under projects and consultative groups at public institutions REGIONAL LEVEL Participation in Regional Councils for Development in the six planning regions

BARDA 8 Members of BARDA RDAs/BCs Local authorities Local chambers of commerce Local branch associations Employment offices Vocational training institutions Academia Banks Private companies Others

BARDA 9 Main Co-operation Partners EU Commission (through PHARE Programmes) GTZ DFID The Government of the Netherlands European Commission Initiatives (INTERREG) Implementing Agency for SME Encouragement Bulgarian Ministry of Economy Bulgarian Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works Ministry of Finances Ministry of Agriculture and Forests Ministry of Labour and Social Policy Bulgarian Economic Forum.

BARDA 10 BARDA Institutional Building Projects and Transfer of Know- How EU Phare Project “Capacity Building for the Accelerated Growth of the SME Sector in Bulgaria”, 2000 – 2002 EU PHARE Project “Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) as a Tool for Enhancing Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Development within the Enlarged Internal Market”, Municipal and Association Capacity Improvement Programme (MACIP), 2002 – 2004 Canada-Bulgaria Export Marketing Training Project, 2001 – 2004 Start Your Business Training, 1998 – 2000

BARDA 11 BARDA Network Structures Business Incubators – Rousse, Vidin, Pernik, Kardjali, Madan, Mezdra, Vratza, Belogradchik Euro Info Centres – Sandanski, Rousse Quality Management System – Kardjali (EN ISO 9001:2000 and the related EN ISO 14001:1996 (Environmental Management Systems), OHSAS (Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems), HACCP, BS 8555, GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) Training Centres – Pleven, Pernik, Plovdiv, Pazardjik, Stara Zagora, Sliven, Samokov, Sandanski, Vidin, Vratza, Rousse, Blagoevgrad, Varna, Haskovo Guarantee Fund, Loan Fund, Machine Leasing - Rousse

BARDA 12 Capacity Building for the Accelerated Growth of the SME Sector in Bulgaria (1) Project Goal To create improved climate for the growth of the SME Sector in Bulgaria by strengthening BARDA, which has a key role in the information, training and policy-making infrastructure for the SME sector Project Objective Strengthening the effectiveness of the nation-wide support infrastructure for SME development through BARDA Network

BARDA 13 Capacity Building for the Accelerated Growth of the SME Sector in Bulgaria (2) Assistance to BARDA Producing training and information materials based on identified best practice; Training for staff in the RDAs Hiring Bulgarian advisors and trainers for RDAs Providing equipment for RDAs Creating an information network including initiatives publicising SME best practice, interactive discussion on policy and legislative proposals Key information on implications of EU accession for SMEs

BARDA 14 Capacity Building for the Accelerated Growth of the SME Sector in Bulgaria (3) Training Programmes RDA Management Business Consulting Business Planning Marketing & Sales for SMEs SME Financial Analysis Human Resource Management Introduction to QMS Project Cycle Management Financial Management of NGOs Management Accounting for NGOs

BARDA 15 SME Support Services RDA SME Support Services SME Info Seminars Bulgarian to Bulgarian SMEs Production Business Management Submitting Business Proposals Qualification Courses Intermediate Support InformationConsultancyResearch SME Support Programs SME Issues Workshops SME Checking Services SMEs Technical Capacity Registration Procedures Seminars for Entrepreneurs Foreign to Bulgarian SMEs Internet info Business Planning Pre-planning Research Exhibitions and Fairs Participation Note: Services may differ and range according to the specific needs of the target group in the region. Basic Courses short 1-5 days long 6-40 days Bulgarian to Foreign SMEs Economic, Tax info Quality Management Marketing Participation in National & International Programs

BARDA 16 BARDA “First Class” Information System

BARDA 17 BARDA Preparation for Structural Funds (1) Participation in working groups for preparation of National Development Plan 2007 –2013 and Regional Operational Programme Strategic Priorities for Bulgaria (NDP ) Improving and Development of Basic Infrastructure Development of Human Resources and Improving Social Infrastructure Increasing Competitiveness of Bulgarian Economy Stable and Balanced Regional Development Development of Rural Areas and Agriculture

BARDA 18 BARDA Preparation for Structural Funds (2) Participation in the expert group for INTERREG III B and C Programme – preparation of Project Fiches for Bulgaria Currently Implementing Project: “Improving the Access of SMEs from Rural Regions to the Knowledge and Information Society” – INTERREG III B CADSES Submitted Project Proposals – Equal Initiative and FP6

19 Bulgarian Association of Regional Development Agencies Wednesday, June 08, , Vitosha Blvd., Fl Sofia, Bulgaria Tel.: (02) /43/44 Fax: (02)