Companies in Northern Bulgaria Receive Free Expert Support for Growth

Small and medium-sized enterprises in Northern Bulgaria will have the opportunity to participate in a series of free specialized training sessions and receive individual expert assistance for their technological transformation. This is made possible by the new N-Spark program, launched by the Executive Agency for the Promotion of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (EAPSME) in partnership with the World Bank.

The initiative is part of the large-scale “North in Growth” project and focuses on preparing businesses for the challenges of the digital era. It is funded under the “Competitiveness and Innovation in Enterprises” Program.

What will companies learn?

The N-Spark program is not just theory, but a practical course that prepares managers and their teams to plan and manage innovation in their companies. The training covers four critical areas: N-Spark is structured in two main phases, offering a total of up to 40 hours of combined individual support and group coaching over the course of 8 weeks. At the end of each training session, participants will have a concrete action plan to implement immediately in their companies and will receive an official certificate of completion.

• Digital Thinking: Mastering modern methods for digitizing business processes;
• Working with Artificial Intelligence (AI): Practical guidance on how AI tools can improve company efficiency;
• Management Skills: Training in strategic planning and leadership;
• Team effectiveness: Developing skills for working in a dynamic and technology-driven environment.

Participation is completely free for all approved SMEs in Northern Bulgaria. The deadline for submitting applications is May 20, 2026.

Who can apply?

The program is aimed at micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating in one of the following regions: Vidin, Vratsa, Montana, Pleven, Lovech, Gabrovo, Veliko Tarnovo, Ruse, Razgrad, Targovishte, Silistra, Dobrich, Shumen, and Varna.

To be eligible, companies must meet several conditions:

• Net sales revenue for the last fiscal year of at least €127,822.97;
• No outstanding public obligations to the state;
• The program is not open to companies in the “Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries” sector (primary production);
• Applicants must not have received similar state-funded services in the last 12 months.

Translated with DeepL.

Co-Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. The European Union cannot be held responsible for them.