Two-Day RTIT>> Project Meeting Held in Sofia

From 18 to 19 November, representatives of INTERA Technology Park participated in a two-day meeting within the RTIT>> project, held in Sofia and hosted by the Bulgarian partners The Applied Research and Communications Fund (ARC Fund) and Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” – Faculty of Economics and Business Administration. This project meeting brought together consortium members to review completed activities, exchange experiences, and align future steps related to knowledge transfer and strengthening innovation capacities, with a particular focus on materials.

The event opened with a welcome address by Anđela Nikčević, representative of the lead partner IPC Tehnopolis, followed by a greeting from Assoc. Prof. Todor Yalamov, PhD, Vice Dean of the Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” – Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, who highlighted the importance of international cooperation and knowledge exchange in building resilient innovation ecosystems.

The programme included partner presentations, discussions on the progress of pilot actions, and interactive workshops focused on evaluating tools and methods that have proven effective in knowledge transfer. Special emphasis was placed on the involvement of small and medium-sized enterprises and experts in the field of materials in knowledge-transfer and innovation activities through pilot actions, with the aim of ensuring a long-term efficient and sustainable model of collaboration between the research and business sectors.

The first day featured a creative workshop dedicated to upcoming project calls and the generation of ideas for potential follow-up activities and enhancements. Participants exchanged experiences and examples of good practices from partner countries, which may serve as a strong basis for continued cooperation.

On the second day, participants visited the interactive children’s museum Muzeiko, where a workshop was held to evaluate tools used in previous knowledge-transfer activities in the field of materials. This was followed by a tour of the Sofia Tech Park, one of Bulgaria’s key innovation centres. The park features 11 specialised laboratories, infrastructure supporting start-ups, and a supercomputer that enables advanced research and technological development.

The meeting in Sofia reaffirmed the RTIT>> consortium’s commitment to strengthening the innovation ecosystem, improving knowledge-transfer processes, and fostering international cooperation in the field of materials and material technologies. The event not only reinforced partnerships but also generated new ideas, networking opportunities, and clear guidelines for upcoming activities that will contribute to strengthening the know-how community and innovation capacities across the entire consortium.

The project is co-financed by the European Union funds through the Interreg Danube Region Program.