1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. Thank you for your attention! Ph.D. Nadya Nikolova Katya Valkova
European Programmes and Projects Directorate Sofia Municipality
Tel.:
Fax:
Mobile:
Kick-off meeting, March 2012
Sofia, Bulgaria
CCIC project
Complex Challenges, Innovative Cities