This project consist of 4 partners, each with long experience and knowledge about competitiveness and innovation in both regions.
MACEDONIAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCES AND ARTS (MASA)
The Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts (MASA) was established by the Macedonian Assembly on 22nd February 1967 as the highest scientific, scholarly and artistic institution in the country with the aim of monitoring and stimulating the sciences and arts. As an independent scientific and artistic institution the Academy achieves these objectives b+pp1_profiley basic, developmental and applied research, comprehensive and inter-disciplinary research projects, by organising scientific and scholarly conferences and symposia, by publishing the results of the same and of other scientific and artistic research and by organising events in the field of the arts. The Academy collaborates with the universities, other scientific, scholarly and cultural institutions, scientific and artistic societies and other comparable organisations in the Republic of Macedonia. It also co-operates with other academies of sciences and arts, and with scientific, scholarly and artistic institutions abroad.
Today MASA has 42 regular members, 5 corresponding members and 37 researchers and scientists as well as eight Research Centers that operate in different areas of Sciences and Arts. In the field of Economic Sciences MASA has developed a National Strategy for long-term development of the Republic of Macedonia and many sectorial strategies (Export Strategy, Strategy for Agricultural Development, Strategy for Energy Development of the Republic of Macedonia, etc.).
In the past two years MASA implemented over 100 research projects and more than 100 art works.
The most of the projects and scientific debates related to entrepreneurship, innovation and regional development within the Academy, taking place mainly through the Center for Strategic Research of MASA.
The Centre for Strategic Research is an independent scientific unit of the Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts, founded on 28.09.2000. The Centre is managed by a regular member of MASA and it is located in the building of the MASA. The Centre has one scientific collaborator, two associates – researchers and one administrative secretary as permanent employees. All the activities of scientific research are based on cooperation with more than 20 associates which are part of the academic society. For certain projects the Centre cooperates with experts of high reputation and renowned professionals from the appropriate field of expertise from the country and abroad.
BULGARIAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
The Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS) is a national autonomous association for scientific research which includes academic institutes and other independent research entities. BAS is the oldest institution in Bulgaria, established 9 years before the restoration of the Bulgarian system of state. It is established in 1869.
BAS is dedicated to the development of science in conformity with the universal human values and with the country’s national interests and promotes the enhancement of the intellectual and material wealth of the people based on the goals of the National Strategy for Scientific Research.
BAS develops forecasts and long-term programs for social, economical, scientific, technical, environmental and cultural development; provides opinion and assessments for projects of national importance; publishes scientific studies. Also, the training of highly qualified staff represents an important part of BAS activities.
BAS institutes conducts research in the following fields: Information and Communication Sciences and Technologies; Energy Resources and Energy Efficiency; Nanosciences, New Materials and Technologies; Biomedicine and Quality of Life; Biodiversity, Bioresources and Ecology; Climate Changes, Risks and Natural Resources; Astronomy, Space Research and Technologies; Cultural-Historical Heritage and National Identity; Man and Society. Economic Research Institute at BAS (BAS-ERI) is the only institute in the field of economics.
BAS-ERI work is focused on the following main areas: Regional cooperation and integration, with specific focus on South Eastern European area; Regional development – convergence/divergence processes; Financial markets and investment policy; Macroeconomic policy analysis and forecasts; Labor market and migration processes; Patterns of trade; National and regional industrial competitiveness (comparative advantages).
The approaches applied include: multi-disciplinarily, comparative studies, applied econometrics, statistical methods, social behaviour theories, also field research, questionnaires, case studies, etc.
BAS-ERI has established experience in cooperating with different institutions (agencies, ministries, municipalities), also research institutes, universities, NGOs in Bulgaria and abroad. The Institute has been a co-ordinator and a partner in а number of international research projects, financed by the EU, World Bank, international organisations, Switzerland, USA, Japan, Korea, etc.
FOUNDATION FOR SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES DEVELOPMENT KUMANOVO
Foundation for Small and Medium Enterprises Development Kumanovo was founded on 25.02.1999. The foundation was formed upon initiative of the Commune of the city of Kumanovo and the European Union (PHARE program) with a primary goal of enabling support and development of the small and medium enterprises in the North-eastern region. The foundation has participated in the implementation of the PHARE project in the part of MSP sector in the region.
In the past period the foundation have realized a number of activities connected with the support of SME in many fields of their work. Foundation has implemented a number of projects for unemployed people who want to start their own business. Foundation for Small and Medium Enterprises Development has 4.130 members.
The Foundation has established contacts with a number of business associations, international organizations that implement projects to support development of SMEs sector, financial institutions in the country and abroad as well as number of offices for business contacts in the embassies of European countries in Macedonia. Foundation established the Euroregion Morava – Pchinja – Struma, organized cross-border cooperation between Bulgaria, Macedonia and Serbia.
Activities:
- providing consultancy services
- education, informing and promotion of SMEs
- preparation and implementation of government projects for development of SMEs sector and self-employment projects
- preparation and implementation of projects, strategies, studies and research on local governments
- preparation and implementation of EU projects
- financial and legal advice
The foundation has realized projects in the field of economy (SMEs), Governmental projects for to support SMEs and self-employment (reduction of unemployment and improvement of the quality of living), projects for the development of entrepreneurship, projects in the field of competitiveness and innovation, education projects, as well as social, cultural and business projects.
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY KYUSTENDIL
The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Kyustendil (KCCI) was founded in 1999 and was registered as a non-governmental and not-for-profit organization.
Our mission is to develop, promote and protect the economic vitality of the region, through creating a positive and ethical business environment, and to foster a climate in which commerce, industry and agriculture will flourish.
The Chamber is a collective member of the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and is also part of the community of chambers of commerce and industry in the country and abroad. KCCI has good experience and traditions in working with SMEs, as well as providing services, information, consultations and training for newly established companies.
Main activities:
- Business, Information and Training Services
- vocational training
- qualification seminars and courses
- business meetings
- organising business delegations in the country and abroad
- participation in international fairs and exhibitions
- presentations
- market research
- business contacts;
- preparation of documents and registration of companies;
- writing of business plans.
- KCCI participates, through its representatives, in the work of:
- Councils for Trilateral Co-operation
- Regional Commission for Working Conditions
- Regional Commission for Encouragement of Employment
- Regional Council for Regional Development.
KCCI has signed partnership and co-operation agreements with the Kyustendil District Administration, the Municipality of Kyustendil, and the Agency for Regional Development in Kyustendil.
