Bulgarian – Macedonian Cross Border Cooperation for Capacity building for Competitiveness and Innovation

Main aim of the project is to increase capacities for competitiveness and innovativeness of local businesses and administration in cross border region of North-east Macedonia (6 municipalities) and the District of Kyustendil (9 municipalities). 
The project will be implemented through several stages, starting with an analysis of the current situation in the field of competitiveness and innovation (C&I) of the businesses, as well as analysis of current support (administration, consultants, NGOs and other organizations) to develop the C&I of the companies. Those analyses will define the gaps in C&I and the training needs in this area, and will indicate the best practices of companies/institutions that have a well-developed system for C&I. This is the general base for the development of programs and methodologies for trainings of consultants and representatives from companies and administration, with the focus on capacity development on C&I.
An additional contribution through this project will be the directly support received by 10 companies on which will be carried out a detailed analysis based on the already adopted and approved European methodology. This will contribute trough the identification of the essential elements for improvement of their work and processes in terms of increased productivity, exports, developing new products and services, and new ways of innovative entrepreneurial behavior.
The results of the project will represent a scientific basis for further recommendation and defined activities, by a recognized European methodological approach adapted to the needs of these two cross-border regions in order to influence the strengthening of cross-border cooperation.
The change achieved through this project will affect both regions by the capacity development of the institutions for entrepreneurship and innovation support in order to increase competitiveness and innovative approach of the SMEs in both regions.