On 14 March 2025, the official launch (Kick-off Meeting) of the H2START project took place at the Balkan Palace Hotel. The project is funded under the Horizon Europe program and supported by the Bulgarian government, aiming to establish a Center of Excellence in Stara Zagora to promote the development of innovative technologies for the production and application of clean hydrogen.

Within the Center, an innovative research and innovation ecosystem will be created, including modern laboratories for hydrogen technologies, the development of highly qualified personnel, and the promotion of scientific and industrial partnerships at both national and European levels. The H2START project is the first of its kind not only in Bulgaria but also in Central and Southeastern Europe.

The event was attended by Krasimir Valchev, Minister of Education and Science; Zhecho Stankov, Minister of Energy; Prof. Georgi Angelov, Deputy Minister of Innovation and Growth; Edoardo Di Paolo, Deputy Head of Mission at the Italian Embassy; and Prof. Dobri Yarkov, Rector of Trakia University. The moderator of the event was Assoc. Prof. Atanas Georgiev, Dean of the Faculty of Economics at Sofia University.

The program included a brief presentation of the project, followed by a panel discussion dedicated to modernization in higher education and the role of science and innovation in developing high-quality skills.

Sources: BTA, Novinata.bg