D.2.1.2 - PP9 Community Workshop at Gotse Delchev: Co‑Creating Practical Solutions for Better Rural Living

In June, Danube4Rural.com PP9 Business Incubator – Gotse Delchev hosted a community workshop at the Youth Center – Gotse Delchev (Bulgaria), bringing together 26 representatives of local public authorities, educational and cultural institutions, sports associations, civil society organisations, local businesses and citizens.

What the community validated 💬

A clear message emerged: partnership between the community centres and the newly established digital hubs, combined with stronger involvement of young people, will be key to turning pilot ideas into lasting action - while an effective coordination mechanism remains the biggest shared challenge.

Key community‑endorsed directions 🌱

🏡 Housing

Participants favoured simpler, low‑maintenance solutions: general information on financing and legal procedures, and promotion of available homes and tourist accommodations through a shared platform.

🌳 Green & environmental policies

Gotse Delchev's biodiversity, forests and mineral waters at the foot of Pirin mountain were named as real natural assets. The community favoured low‑cost, awareness‑driven action - social media campaigns, citizen activism and green events - building on existing green/tourist clubs and local initiatives.

🫶 Well‑being, recreation & culture

A remote worker welcome programme was very well received, with many elements already in place through the Chitalishta community centres' folklore, food, craft and cultural activities. Participants proposed a joint calendar of events and stronger involvement of youth centres, schools and local influencers to make the offer more visible and attractive.

💻 Digital & co‑working infrastructure

A network of co‑working spaces was validated as a strong, low‑cost solution, building on existing digital hubs, the Youth Center and the Business Incubator, all already equipped with fast internet and modern facilities. Priorities identified were a shared information platform, simple digital promotion tools, and more flexible, user‑friendly management of the spaces.

🎓 Public services & digital community

Participants highlighted the value of a local digital practitioners' community linking IT specialists, schools, STEM centres and young people - building on existing digital‑skills education and links with the nearby Bansko digital nomad community. Motivational meetings and exchanges of professional experience were proposed as a low‑resource way to grow this network.

Participants agreed that coordinated, partnership‑based action - combining housing information, green initiatives, a welcome and well‑being programme, and a connected co‑working and digital community - is the way to make Gotse Delchev a genuinely attractive place to live and work remotely, with Business Incubator – Gotse Delchev positioned to take on an initial coordinating role.