News

The results were announced from the projects competition under Programme “Knowledge and Growth”, which is a joint initiative of Ruse Free Spirit City Foundation and Econt Foundation.  A total of 20 projects have been approved under the 2018 Programme. They will receive financing amounting to 121 455,56 BGN, with the total project costs totaling 201 232,56BGN. The approved project ideas are in the following fields: science, education, new technology and history.

The decision was made by a committee, appointed by a decision of the Managing Board, consisting of:

Strahil Karapchanski, PhD – Chairman of the Managing Board of Ruse Free Spirit City Foundation

Irena Petrova – Member of the Managing Board of Ruse Free Spirit City Foundation

Maria Georgieva – Member of the Managing Board of Ruse Free Spirit City Foundation

Elena Minkova – Executive Director of Ruse Free Spirit City Foundation

Ventsislava Nikolova – Chairman of Econt Foundation

The selection was made in two stages:

1. Administrative compliance and eligibility check;
2. Evaluation of the project proposal under the following criteria:

• The project is related to the priority focus
• The project clearly demonstrates how it will be useful to people
• The project has clearly measurable objectives
• The project creates conditions for development of human potential
• The project has practical applicability and socially significant results
• The project brings together different institutions and organisations to achieve a common goal
• The project does not foresee activities that receive financial support by the municipality or the state
• The project has a detailed and realistic schedule of activities
• The project has a realistic budget and a full set of required documents
• The project provides for own financial contribution of the applicant organisation  
• The project provides opportunities for its continuation (project sustainability)

Priority was given to projects which: bring together more than three institutions or organisations, actively involved in the project implementation; have more than 50 % own financial contribution; give access to knowledge and skills development to as many people as possible.

A total of 34 projects amounting to 474 585, 46 BGN were submitted to the Foundation within the framework of the “Knowledge and Growth” contest. The sum requested from Ruse Free Spirit City Foundation amounts to 251 411 BGN.

The full list of projects approved for financing is published on the website of the Foundation – www.free-spirit-city.eu

The “Knowledge and Growth” Programme, which started in 2016, initiated by Ruse Free Spirit City Foundation and Econt Express, has become a model for successful local partnership in the field of education, science, new technologies and history. The “Knowledge and Growth” Programme contributes to the fulfillment of the objectives set in the Innovation Strategy for Smart Specialisation (ISSS) 2016-2025 of Ruse Municipality, in particular establishing Ruse as a city of knowledge. The programme contributes to improving the conditions for people’s personal and professional growth. Four competitions have been conducted so far, as a result of which 48 projects have received financial support amounting to 260 789,12 BGN.  Nineteen projects totaling 76 413,77 BGN have been successfully implemented so far.