Roundtable 21-22.04.2026

On 21–22 April, a round table entitled “Transformation and Sharing of Experience and Knowledge for a Sustainable Future” was held in the town of Hisarya. The event was organized by the Center of Plant Systems Biology and Biotechnology — Plovdiv, within the implementation of the project “Transformation: A Network for a Sustainable Future through the Sharing of Experience and Knowledge”, project No. КП-06-COST-7/2024, funded by the Bulgarian National Science Fund of the Republic of Bulgaria. The initiative is also related to COST Action CA22156: https://www.cost.eu/actions/CA22156/

During the event, Prof. Vesela Kazashka presented the COST Action and the concept of future transformations aimed at ensuring sustainable development. Ms. Marina Mircheva-Topalova presented the Center of Plant Systems Biology and Biotechnology as an example of successful and sustainable transformation, implemented over a period of 10 years and oriented towards the future.

The main objective of the round table was to establish focus groups with participants from a regional plant production cluster in the South Central Region, bringing together universities, research organizations, and business representatives. The event was made possible thanks to the active participation and organizational support of colleagues from the CPSBB, the Institute of Microbiology — Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, the Maritsa Vegetable Crops Research Institute, the Agricultural University — Plovdiv, Trakia University, Paisii Hilendarski University of Plovdiv, and the Academy of Music, Dance and Fine Arts “Prof. Asen Diamandiev”.

Particularly significant was the participation of business representatives, including the Bulgarian Association of Raspberry Growers, OPORA ZADEN — Tsalapitsa, and Start 2005 Ltd. — Popovo, representing the “Otbrani” brand — an established name on the fresh berries market, including raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, and blackcurrants, both in Bulgaria and in the neighboring countries of Greece and Romania.

The discussions in the focus groups addressed key issues related to scientific and technological development, the understanding of transformation in various professional and sectoral contexts, the expected changes over the next 10 years, and the factors that stimulate or hinder these processes.

The participants also discussed the new knowledge, skills, and competencies required by specialists in the sector, as well as the areas in which the most significant gaps are observed between education, scientific research, and the practical needs of the sector. Special attention was also paid to possible policies, forms of cooperation, and concrete measures that could support a more successful transformation towards a sustainable future.

The round table created a space for the exchange of experience, ideas, and good practices among representatives of the academic community, research institutions, and business, laying the foundation for future cooperation in support of the sustainable development of plant production and related sectors.

Work Meeting 18.02.2026

Between 18 and 20 February 2026, a working meeting of CA22156 – Transformations International Experience and Research Network for Sustainable Futures (TransformERS) was held in Lisbon. The meeting was dedicated to the preparation of an edited volume summarising the results of an international study on transformative practices.

The event brought together chapter authors, members of the Core Group (CG), and the Management Committee. The programme included parallel sessions on the chapters of the forthcoming book, a plenary discussion on the main thematic strands and next steps, as well as a meeting of the Management Committee.

Prof. Vesela Kazashka actively participated in the working meeting in Lisbon in her capacity as a member of the CA22156 Management Committee. In this role, she contributed to discussions on the conceptual framework of the volume, possible formats for presenting the results (including publishable datasets, visualisations, and short thematic formats), and the strategic directions for the further development of the initiative.

The Lisbon meeting reaffirmed the international network’s commitment to researching transformative processes in resource-constrained contexts and to developing practically applicable knowledge based on empirical data and interdisciplinary dialogue.

Roundtable 19.05.2025

As part of the project “Transformation: A Network for a Sustainable Future through Knowledge and Experience Sharing”—under the COST Action “Transformations International Experience and Research Network for Sustainable Futures” (TransformERS) CA22156—a roundtable discussion was held on the topic “Digital Transformation in the Presentation of Culture and Art.”

The event took place at the Archaeological Complex “Valley of the Thracian Kings” in the town of Shipka, Kazanlak region, and brought together professionals from the complex and students from the Academy of Music, Dance and Fine Arts “Prof. Asen Diamandiev” – Plovdiv (AMTII).

The roundtable featured two focus groups: “Digital Transformation in Art” and “Transformation of Art Funding,” which explored key aspects of innovation, sustainability, and new financial models in the cultural sector.

The discussions in both groups were led by Prof. Dr. Vesela Kazashka and Dr. Tsvetomira Kazashka, with a strong emphasis on the exchange of best practices and knowledge-sharing as part of the project team’s broader work program aimed at fostering sustainable development and collaboration in the arts and heritage fields.

The Director of the Archaeological Complex and Deputy Director Mrs. Dimitrova shared successful case studies from their work, highlighting the use of digital technologies and effective funding and management strategies for cultural heritage preservation and promotion.