Regional Bioeconomy Hub – Plovdiv is among the 15 partners in the new European VIVA project, connecting innovation ecosystems across six European countries and providing €7.2 million in cascade funding for interregional innovation projects.
The new VIVA – Vertical and Horizontal Integrating Innovation Valley Approach project officially launched on 15 September 2026 in Halden, Norway. The four-year initiative is funded under the Horizon Europe – European Innovation Ecosystems programme and brings together 15 organisations from Norway, Sweden, Finland, Bulgaria, Romania and Hungary. The project is coordinated by the Østfold County Council, Norway.
What is VIVA?
VIVA aims to help innovative solutions move from development towards real-world application, while simultaneously creating connections between companies, research organisations, technology centres and regional innovation ecosystems across Europe. The model is based on the idea that regions do not need to have the same strengths – differences in expertise, infrastructure and innovation potential can become the basis for joint solutions. Cooperation is two-way, with each region contributing its own knowledge and technologies while gaining access to expertise and opportunities from the others. The approach combines the development of the innovation itself with connecting it to the right partners, expertise and markets. The project methodology looks at the technological, business, regulatory, circular and digital readiness of solutions in order to identify the specific areas where additional support is needed.
Plovdiv – part of a European innovation network
Plovdiv is part of the Eastern European Innovation Nexus, together with Alba Iulia, Romania, and Central Transdanubia, Hungary. At the same time, VIVA is establishing a sister-region partnership between Västra Götaland, Sweden, and Plovdiv, based on complementary competences and expertise. Within VIVA, Plovdiv contributes expertise in circular bioeconomy and agricultural innovation. The partners in the network bring expertise in areas such as circular textile flows, renewable energy, industrial symbiosis, digitalisation, artificial intelligence, smart infrastructure, agri-food innovation and sustainable production. This creates opportunities to combine regional expertise and develop solutions that can be tested and implemented in different European environments.
€7.2 million for innovative projects through cascade funding
One of VIVA’s key practical instruments is cascade funding, through which a total of €7.2 million will be directed towards interregional innovation projects. The aim is to support more than 30 interregional innovation projects, combining funding with access to expertise, testing facilities, regional networks and potential international partners. Two open calls are planned – the first around the 12th month of the project and the second around month 28. To be eligible, projects must involve organisations from at least two countries and be sufficiently advanced to move towards testing, implementation and market readiness.
What does this mean for companies in Plovdiv?
For businesses, the opportunities offered by VIVA go beyond access to funding. The project creates opportunities for companies to find technology partners, expertise, testing infrastructure and new applications for their solutions, as well as to reach partners and markets in other European regions.
Particular areas of relevance include:
- agri-innovation and the agri-food sector;
- circular bioeconomy;
- bio-based products and materials;
- valorisation of biomass and biological resources;
- sustainable and circular production;
- resource and energy efficiency;
- green technologies;
- digitalisation and automation.
An important aspect is that projects will need to establish genuine international partnerships, rather than simply present standalone technological developments.
From a European network to real projects
Over the next four years, VIVA will test its approach through regional flagship pilots, develop interregional partnerships and establish mechanisms for technology transfer. The aim is for these instruments to help innovations move towards testing, implementation and scaling. At the heart of the approach is the combination of innovation, international partnerships and access to funding. Through VIVA, Regional Bioeconomy Hub – Plovdiv will connect the local innovation ecosystem with European partners, supporting companies and organisations from the region in accessing knowledge, technologies, expertise and funding opportunities.
About VIVA
VIVA – Vertical and Horizontal Integrating Innovation Valley Approach is a four-year project funded under the Horizon Europe – European Innovation Ecosystems programme, running from September 2026 to August 2030.
The project brings together 15 organisations from six European countries – Norway, Sweden, Finland, Bulgaria, Romania and Hungary, including regional and local authorities, innovation agencies, clusters and technology organisations, universities and academic institutions. The Bulgarian partners are Regional Bioeconomy Hub – Plovdiv and Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”.
Co-Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and
do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive
Agency (EISMEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
