Partner details: LP - SOFIA MUNICIPALITY BASIC INFO More than 1,3 million citizens; One of the oldest European Cities, founded 7 thousand years ago; Capital of Bulgaria since 1879; Geographical Centre of South East Europe and Entry point to the Middle East; Cross point of Three Pan-European Transport Corridors; REGIONAL GOVERNMENT: Sofia Municipality is the administrative, political, economic, educational and cultural centre of Bulgaria. Sofia Municipality is situated in the Sofia Plain with an average altitude of 550 metres above sea level, covering an area of 1,342 km2. CCIC project Complex Challenges, Innovative Cities

Partner details: LP - SOFIA MUNICIPALITY Economy Sofia produces 34% of the national GDP which is 70% of the EU average - expected to become 80% by 2015. The unemployment is among the lowest in Europe. Due to the more than 20 universities based in Sofia, the employed with higher education are 45% and with secondary - 51%. In 2007 the capital attracted 78% of all foreign investments in BG. CCIC project Complex Challenges, Innovative Cities 2

Partner details: LP - SOFIA MUNICIPALITY OUR INTEREST IN CCIC: State of Art Survey; Good practices Identification; Regional Policy Improved; Implementation Plan developed. CCIC project Complex Challenges, Innovative Cities

Partner details: LP - SOFIA MUNICIPALITY Our strengths in the thematic fields 1. Innovative financial instruments Municipal Guarantee Fund for SMEs Post Privatization Fund 2. Public procurement and innovation Updated Public Procurement Act 3. Publicly-owned enterprises and innovation Sofia Urban Mobility Centre Sofia Metropolitan Ltd Sofia Central Heating Company Sofia Drainage and Water Supply Company, etc. 4. Civil society inclusion in public innovation Participation of Civil society in the City Council Commissions CCIC project Complex Challenges, Innovative Cities

Partner details: LP - SOFIA MUNICIPALITY Our weaknesses in the thematic fields 1. Innovative financial instruments Under developed 2. Public procurement and innovation Innovation not included specifically in PP 3. Publicly-owned enterprises and innovation Lack of financing for innovation 4. Civil society inclusion in public innovation Civil society not sufficiently informed CCIC project Complex Challenges, Innovative Cities

Partner details: LP - SOFIA MUNICIPALITY Learning preferences Thematic fields RANK TOPIC 1. Innovative financial instruments 1 PPP 2. Public procurement and innovation 3 Technical specifications 3. Publicly-owned enterprises and innovation 2 Schemes for innovation in Publicly-owned enterprises 4. Civil society inclusion in public innovation 4 Involvement of civil society in public innovation CCIC project Complex Challenges, Innovative Cities

Thank you for your attention! Ph.D. Nadya Nikolova Katya Valkova European Programmes and Projects Directorate Sofia Municipality Tel.: +359 2 9377 286 Fax: +359 2 9885 132 Mobile: +359 885 30 76 43 E-mail: nnikolova@sofia.bg k.valkova@sofia.bg www.sofia.bg Kick-off meeting, 13-14 March 2012 Sofia, Bulgaria CCIC project Complex Challenges, Innovative Cities