BG 
As a result of an invitation sent to Prof. Dr. Maria Stankova, deputy dean of the Faculty of Economics at Southwestern University "Neofit Rilski", the team of community center "Georgi Todorov1885" and the group for local crafts under Project Workshop for traditional crafts "Mountain signs", financed with funds of the European Economic Area, participated in a discussion forum.
On 12.07.2023, the Southwest University "Neofit Rilski" hosted a discussion meeting in its capacity as an associate partner of the Aurora Alliance university network and in the implementation of activities in this connection. The discussion forum was organized by the Faculty of Economics under the project "Design and implementation of a training course on Sustainable Entrepreneurial Ecosystems (SEE)" of the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU) in cooperation with the Neofit Rilski University of Applied Sciences. Issues related to sustainable development and entrepreneurship in the field of tourism and related activities were discussed, as well as the possibilities for building and supporting sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystems in the region of South-West Bulgaria.
The speaker at the event was Prof. Enno Masurel - expert and lecturer in entrepreneurship at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU),
In the discussion, Mrs. Maya Padareva introduced the attendees to the rich biodiversity of the Municipality of Belitsa and to the project Workshop for Traditional Crafts "Mountain Signs" - Belitsa, which is currently being implemented under the Program "Local Development, Poverty Reduction and Improved Inclusion of Vulnerable Groups" ”, financed by the Financial Mechanism of the European Economic Area 2014-2021, Project No. BGLD-1.007-0062-C01, aimed at local economic development, tourism development, promoting sustainable use of local resources, increasing the quality of life and the attractiveness of the area. Strengthening of cooperation between local authorities and local business to stimulate and spread various innovative practices in the field of cultural and historical heritage, protection and improvement of the environment and its benefits. Envisioning the creation of sustainable models for new jobs aiming the reduce poverty and unemployment in the municipality of Belitsa.
PhD. Enno Masurel was impressed by the rich biodiversity of the destination Belitsa, the opportunities for realizing eco-entrepreneurship and its sustainable development and emphasized that the created workshop is an important part of eco-entrepreneurship. He shared that a course on sustainable entrepreneurship in tourism is about to be opened at the South-West University and together with PhD. Maria Stankova to visit Belica with students to share knowledge and practices. On the question: What could the students help us with, Mrs. Padareva shared that, apart from their knowledge in the field of tourism, the students could help the people in the workshop how to develop a business plan for their sustainable development. PhD. Enno Masurel was particularly moved by the gift, a handmade souvenir with the symbol of Belitsa the brown bear and nature in it.
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