Open calls

In line with the European Union’s (EU) emphasis on the importance of data in creating a secure, sustainable and prosperous future, Bulgaria aims to develop a national data ecosystem as a crucial component of its next stage of digital transformation. The availability of reliable and accessible data, and interoperable data systems, is a proven generator of value in the economy and in public and private life. Public and private sector data, globally, is used to create innovative services and products that bolster the economy and attract investment and re-investment in it, create jobs, improve the quality of life, protect the environment and enhance resource efficiency.

Sector-specific national data spaces are identified in the European Data Strategy as the appropriate paradigm for managing a nation’s data resources. Data spaces are characterised by data sharing and reuse and collaboration between multiple stakeholders representing business, government, citizens and academia.

The objective of the proposed activities is to strategically strengthen the institutional, technical and legislative foundations necessary to acellerate Bulgaria’s data governance systems and build user-centric data spaces. A functional data governance framework including well defined standards for data quality, availability and exchange is paramount in order to create trust, foster an active ecosystem and therefore allow the country to develop and participate in the data economy on European level, enabling value generation. The activities will contribute to better use of the data available on national level, increase productivity and efficiency of resources in all economic sectors, provide opportunity for more personalized products and services, better policy making and modernization of public services.