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BulgarianAssociation of RegionalDevelopmentAgencies

BulgarianAssociation of RegionalDevelopmentAgencies

April 19, 2023

www.barda.net

Sofia 10004, Vitosha Blvd.Tel: **359-2-983 03 35Fax: **359-2-983 03 41e-mail: barda@barda.net

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What is BARDA (1)What is BARDA (1)

33 Regional Development Agencies and SME Support Centres (RDAs)

B A R D A

General Member Assembly

Board of Directors

Executive Member Secretariat in Sofia

Executive Director

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What is BARDA (2)What is BARDA (2)

BARDA is a legally independent, non-governmental and decentralized SME support structure with NGO status. It is being carried solely by its membership base.

BARDA as an umbrella organization is working according to an annual operational working plan agreed upon by the General Member Assembly.

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Our MissionOur Mission

Improved Economic Environment in Bulgaria throughIncreased Entrepreneurial Initiative and Employment, in

Concert with Economic Development Strategies of Regions

A Viable Network of Sustainable Local Entities that Foster Regional Development in Bulgaria

Agencies for Regional Development and Business Centres

B A R D A

Operational Objective

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BARDA HistoryBARDA History

BARDA was established in 1997 on request by the different regional SME support initiatives as a non-governmental, decentralized and independent NGO with the assistance of EEC/ILO/GOPA (through the GTZ Program: “Vocational Training and Active Employment Measures”)

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Main Co-operation PartnersMain Co-operation Partners

EU Commission (through PHARE Programmes) National SME Agency USAID British Know-How Fund UNDP ILO GTZ (through the program “Vocational Training and

Active Employment Measures” implemented by GOPA)

Bulgarian Ministry for Trade and Tourism Bulgarian Ministry for Regional Development and

Public Works National Employment Agency National Chamber of Commerce Foreign Investment Agency Bulgarian Export Promotion Centre Bulgarian Association for Partnership, etc.

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Funding SchemesFunding Schemes

The Co-financing principle is the basis for BARDA’s financial means.

The BARDA Executive Member Secretariat is financially supported by: membership fees, generation of its own financial equity

through the acquisition of SME support programs and regional development activities (e.g. PHARE programs) and to some extent through donors seed funding but under clear face-out-concept.

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The BARDA NetworkThe BARDA Network

Sofia

Pazardjik Plovdiv

Razlog Smolian

Bourgas

Dobrich

Rousse

Kustendil

Blagoevgrad

Sandanski

Haskovo

Stara Zagora

Sliven

Varna

Shumen Targovishte

Pleven

Vidin

full members associate members

Montana

Vratsa Lovech

Pernik

Samokov

Karlovo

Gabrovo

Razgrad

Silistra

Yambol

Kardjali

Devin

G. Delchev

Veliko Tarnovo

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Membership Base and Structure (1)Membership Base and Structure (1)

The following RDAs are full members of BARDA:

RDABurgas

RDABlagoevgrad

RDAVidin

RDAVarna

RDADobrich

RDAKjustendil

RDAPazardjik

RDAPleven

RDAPlovdiv

RDARazlog

RDARousse

RDASandanski

RDASliven

RDASmolyan

RDAStara Zagora

RDAShumen

RDAHaskovo

RDATargovishte

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Membership Base and Structure (2)Membership Base and Structure (2)

BARDA

General Member Assembly

Board of Directors

Executive Member Secretariat

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Structure of Executive Secretariat in SofiaStructure of Executive Secretariat in Sofia

On behalf of BARDA members, the Executive Member Secretariat in Sofia has entered into a number of cooperation agreements with the objective to:

(a) document a broad national acceptance and(b) promote SME and regional development activities to its

members.

Board of Directors

Executive Director

Executive Member Secretariat

Information ManagerTraining Manager Research Assistant

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RDA Structure Example (1)RDA Structure Example (1)

A d m in is tra t ive A ss is tan ce S M E C on su ltan t(s )

Tra in in g an d Q C A ssu ran ce C on su ltan t(s ) C on su ltan t fo r R eg ion a l D eve lop m en t A ffa irs

Executive Director

Board of Directors

G enera l Mem ber Assem bly

R eg ion a l D eve lop m en t A g en cyS ta ra Z a go ra

M em b ers o f th e R D A :• Municipalities• Local Chamber of Commerce

• Local Industrial Chamber

• Local SME Association

• Technical University

• German-Bulgarian Vocational Training Centre

• Lions Club• Club of the Young Entrepreneurs

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RDA Structure Example (2)RDA Structure Example (2)

The RDA is legally an independent, non-governmental and decentralised local structure with NGO status. The RDA is a registered member of BARDA.

The RDA is working according to an annual operational work plan agreed upon by the General Member assembly.

The co-financing principle is the basis of RDA’s financial means.

Different levels of financial support/contribution are being provided by its members.

The RDA has a service and support catalogue with agreed prices through which the RDA is generating its own financial equity input to sustain its operation and sustainability.

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RDA Field of InterestRDA Field of Interest

S oc ia l Issues E duca tion

T ourism Hea lth

Q u alification Cou rses

In term ed iate Su p p ort

In form ation Services

Con su ltan cy

Research an d An alysis

En terp ren eu rs Su p p ort

SME Su p p ort P rog ram m es

O th ers

S M E D eve lopm ent

Q u alification Cou rses

Bu sin ess In cu b ation

O th er P rog ram m es Red u cin g Un em p loym en t Rate

Unem ploym ent

RDA

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RDA Range of ServicesRDA Range of Services

RDA

SME Support Services

SME Info SeminarsBulgarian to

Bulgarian SMEsProduction

BusinessManagement

SubmittingBusinessProposals

Qualification Courses

Intermediate Support

Information Consultancy ResearchSME

Support Programs

SME IssuesWorkshops

SME CheckingServices

SMEsTechnical Capacity

RegistrationProcedures

Seminars for Entrepreneurs

Foreign to Bulgarian SMEs Internet info

BusinessPlanning

Pre-planningResearch Exhibitions

and FairsParticipation

Note: Services may differ and range according to the specific needs of the target group in the region.

Basic Coursesshort 1-5 dayslong 6-40 days

Bulgarian toForeign SMEs

Economic,Tax info

QualityManagement

MarketingParticipation in National &International

Programs

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BARDA Assistance to Its MembersBARDA Assistance to Its Members

Producing training and information materials based on identified best practice

Training for staff in the regional development agencies

Hiring Bulgarian advisors and trainers for regional development agencies

Providing equipment for regional development agencies

Creating an information network including initiatives publicising SME best practice, interactive discussion on policy and legislative proposals

Key information on implications of EU accession for SMEs

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BARDA Network HighlightsBARDA Network Highlights

Twinning Networking High quality of services Competitiveness SME and Regional Development

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BARDA Assessment (1)BARDA Assessment (1)

BARDA members and candidate members were evaluated according to a set of criteria determining the organisational life-cycle stage

The evaluation included various aspects of organisational life

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BARDA Assessment (2)BARDA Assessment (2)

Management Planning Human resources Work environment Contacts with clients Market and customer knowledge Public involvement Public relations Financial management Business results

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BARDA Assessment (3)BARDA Assessment (3)

BARDA members were provisionally classified according to the organizational life cycle stage of each agency:

Stage 1. START-UPStage 2. DEVELOPMENTStage 3. CONSOLIDATIONStage 4. STABILITY

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BARDA Assessment (4)BARDA Assessment (4)

Assessment results: Full Members were at Stages

2, 3, and 4 Candidate Members were at

Stage 1

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BARDA Twining Concept (1)BARDA Twining Concept (1)

Twinning Principles: According to the level of

institutional development According to regional

location

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BARDA Twining Concept (2)BARDA Twining Concept (2)

FULL MEMBERS SUPPORT ASSOCIATE MEMBERS

Dobrich Silistra

Rousse Razgrad

Pleven Lovech, Vratza

Vidin Montana

Stara Zagora Gabrovo, Veliko Tarnovo

Pazardjik Samokov, Pernik

Haskovo Kardjali

Smolyan   Devin

Bourgas 

Gotze Delchev

Varaa 

Karlovo

Razlog 

Sofia

Blagoevgrad 

Sandanski 

Plovdiv 

Slven 

Kjustendil 

Shumen 

Targovishte 

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BARDA Training System (1)BARDA Training System (1)

Three Target Groups for implementing institutional strengthening measures:

Target Group 1 (TG1)The organisations at Stage 1

Target Group 1 (TG2)The organisations at Stage 2

Target Group 1 (TG3)The organisations at Stages 3 and 4

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BARDA Training System (2)BARDA Training System (2)

The Training and Technical Assistance System envisages a Three Phase Approach to influencing the institutional development of BARDA members and creating a homogenous association structure.

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The Three Phase ApproachThe Three Phase Approach

TG1:Associate members

Stage 114 Agencies

TG2:Agencies at

Stage 2

current:8 agencies

after Phase 1:22 agencies

TG3:Agencies at

Stage 3and Stage 4

current:10 agencies

after Phase 2:32 agencies

Phase I

Phase II

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Phase I Support:TG3 and TG2 to TG1

Phase II Support:TG3 to TG2

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BARDA Assistance toMunicipalities (1)BARDA Assistance toMunicipalities (1) Municipal Development Strategies Legal Framework (Regional Development, Local

Administration, Municipal Budgets, Territorial and Spatial Planning, public procurement, etc.)

Economic information (industry, unemployment, etc.) National and International Programmes for SMEs and

Regional Development Statistical Data Information for Project Financing of SMEs and Starting

entrepreneurs Regional Information SME Database at National and Regional Level Export and Import Information Information on Credit Lines Business Opportunities (Investments, Cooperation, Joint

Ventures, etc.)

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BARDA Assistance toMunicipalities (2)BARDA Assistance toMunicipalities (2)

Municipal property, enterprises, finances, taxes and fees, administration

Territorial and Spatial Planning Education Health Services Culture Regional Development and Public Works Social Support – Social Welfare and Social Assistance,

Housing Needs, etc. Environmental Protection and Rational Use of Natural

Resources Maintenance and Protection of Cultural, Historical and

Architectural Monuments Sports, Leisure and Tourism Development

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BulgarianAssociation of RegionalDevelopmentAgencies

BulgarianAssociation of RegionalDevelopmentAgencies

April 19, 2023

www.barda.net

The End