The European Territorial Cooperation Programme Greece-Bulgaria 2007-2013 focuses on the strengthening of networks and the cooperation in the fields of border security, natural resources, management, business and research networks, in order to provide viable solutions for unhindered communication via modern infrastructures. The overall strategic objective of the programme is to strengthen the competitiveness and territorial cohesion in the programme area towards sustainable development, by linking potential partners from both sides of the border. Especially the Priority Axis 3 aims:
- to use the restructuring of the economy as an opportunity for economic development
- to invest on human capital as one of the most valuable resources of the cross-border area for promoting economic activities
- to stimulate entrepreneurship and integrate ICT and new technologies to all economic sectors
- to foresee proactive initiatives in view of the forthcoming open labour market in the cross-border area
The specific objectives of the project are to enhance the educational process of interaction between formal and informal learning, develop skills in formal training, promote an effective access to continuing vocational training for adults, employees or applicants for employment, equip young people with the basic skills, promote initiatives towards employees for their access and stay to the labor market and improve the portability of social security rights.
The main outputs of the project include: project meetings, dynamic website, info days, encoding of legislation and institutional framework applied in education and recording of existing structures of education organizations, research on the adaptation of tools for lifelong learning, study for the development of standards for certification schemes, development of a Charter Skills’ tool, drafting of a cross-certification system and workshops for new application tools on training and skills of the target group, creation of the electronic guide, development of a network for lifelong learning strategies, setting up of 2 Support Centres in both countries.
The Project consortium includes:
| Partner No | Partner Institution (Full Name) | Country | NUTS III |
| LP (P1) | Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs/ General Secretariat for Lifelong Learning and Youth | GREECE | Thessaloniki |
| P2 | MUNICIPALITY OF THESSALONIKI | GREECE | Thessaloniki |
| P3 | INTERBALKAN INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION | GREECE | Thessaloniki |
| P4 | LABOUR INSTITUTE OF GSEE (GENERAL CONFEDERATION OF GREEK WORKERS) | GREECE | Thessaloniki |
| P5 | GREEK INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS ASSOCIATION | GREECE | Thessaloniki |
| P6 | Vocational Training Center of Hellenic Confederation of Professionals Craftsmen and Merchants – Head Branch of Central Macedonia | GREECE | Thessaloniki |
| P7 | Serres Chamber of Commerce and Industry | GREECE | Serres |
| P8 | CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY – BLAGOEVGRAD | BULGARIA | Blagoevgrad |
| P9 | SOUTH-WEST UNIVERSITY “NEOFIT RILSKI” | BULGARIA | Blagoevgrad |
Workshop “Professional education and training: IT” – 11.06.2015 г.
Workshop “Professional education and training: restoranteur” – 12.06.2015 г.
Workshop “Professional education and training:foreign languages” – 17.06.2015 г.
Workshop “Professional education and training: driving instructor” – 18.06.2015 г.