To contribute to creating an integrated eligible area in terms of employment and labor mobility; to make the workforce seize cross-border jobs and entrepreneurship opportunities; to create measurable outcomes for enabling the area to be a region to live, study and work.

399.360,85 euro, out of which 339.456,72 euro ERDF

Lead Beneficiary (LB): Chamber of Commerce and Industry – Dobrich (Bulgaria)

Beneficiary 2 (B2): NPO European Institute for Cultural Tourism EUREKA (EICT EUREKA) (Bulgaria),

Beneficiary 3 (B3): Constanta Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Shipping and Agriculture – CCINA Constanta (Romania)

Start date: 23.05.2017

End date: 22.05.2019

Duration: 24 months

Constanta in Romania

Dobrich, Ruse in Bulgaria

• Conducting studies - “World of carriers and jobs”; “World of skills and education improvement”
• Elaboration of self-assessment tools
• Establishment of network of stakeholders
• Platform information architecture and content development
• Web based platform development and operation

Programme outputs: 4 initiatives that activate workforce mobility in the cross border area; 25 000 participants in joint local employment initiatives and joint training;

Programme results: 30 000 will have access to joint employment initiatives

The project implementation was finalised in June 2019 and the output and results achieved by the project consist in:

• MOWEUP web-based platform, available at https://moweup.eu offering access to studies on employment and education, various tools elaborated within the project - carrier development videos, job video tips, 3 self-assessment tools for personality, carrier interests, transferable carrier skills, which based on 1 matching mechanism determine the most suitable career and job, as well as a comprehensive collection of information, intended to foster the employability and labour mobility of the jobseekers in the eligible area; The web-platform has attracted by the end of the project at total of 822 registered users and 1623 visitors.
• MOWEUP network of stakeholders, including 67 organisations, registered on the platform as partners, participating in the round tables and contributing to the large collection of information available on the web-platform. They are also intended to play crucial role in the future promotion and ensuring the sustainability of the platform, providing access to information and other tools in the field of employment and labour mobility and promoting the platform in their initiatives;
• 15 round tables in each region of the cross-border area (7 in Romania and 8 in Bulgaria), attracting a total of 313(153 in Romania; 160 in Bulgaria) representatives of the target group and aimed at facilitating the informational exchange between the relevant stakeholders and ensuring sustainable provision of information sources and access to the joint data base with information and advice;
• 15 pilot trainings in each region of the cross-border area - 7 in RO and 8 in BG - attended by a total of 432 (207 RO and 225 BG) participants from the target group, 174 of each 29 years or younger, aimed at informing and demonstrating them how to benefit from the content of the web platform.

The project aims to assist the integration of disadvantaged people on the labour market in the CB area.

165,143.60 euro, out of which 140,372.05 euro ERDF

Lead beneficiary (LB): Roma – Berk Association (BG)

Beneficiary 2 (B2): Association for Regional Development and Partnership (RO)

Beneficiary 3 (B3): Municipality Berkovitsa (BG)

Start date: 05.05.2017

End date: 04.08.2019

Duration: 24 months (suspended in the period 02.04.2018 – 01.07.2018)

Montana in Bulgaria and , Dolj in Romania

• 1 joint strategy on combating the obstacles to entering the labor market of disadvantaged people
• 1 Manual on innovative labour practices, methods and guidelines
• trainings of 6 groups of unemployed persons
• 2 counseling centers established
• 1 online platform launched
• 2 job fairs

Programme outputs:3 initiatives that activate workforce mobility in the cross border area, 290 participants in joint local employment initiatives and joint training, 90 participants in joint educational and training schemes to support youth employment, educational opportunities and higher and vocational education across borders

Programme results: 8200 people that have access to joint employment initiatives

The project is finalized.

A conference "EU and the cross-border cooperation programmes in support to the local communities" was also organized on 11 October 2017, in Berkovitsa by B3.

Both the LB and B3 procured promotion and information materials (information boards, folders, pens, notepads, indoor and outdoor banner, leaflets, posters). Also, there were selected the participants for the forthcoming trainings.

A survey and study of the obstacles and problems associated with discouraging disadvantaged people from entering the labor market in the CB area was developed by the project expert group. They focused on the preparation of a program for the trainings of the target group representatives.The program was composed of 2 modules - Legislation applicable to work and business in the CB area and How to start your own business - aspects of training related to the matter known as lifestyle entrepreneurship. Also, the manual to help disadvantaged people in self-employment and job search was prepared.

A consultancy center was set up in Berkovitsa by Beneficiary 3, in order to provide information and advice to the unemployed disadvantaged people for employment opportunities and to assist employers for hiring unemployed disadvantaged people.

Following the replacement of the Romanian Partner in December 2018, the new partner, University of Craiova set up the Consultancy Center in Romania, hosted by County Library "Alexandru and Aristia Aman" Craiova in the Cross-border Center for Information and Cooperation Dolj-Vratsa at 21, Jietului Street, Craiova.

The project website was also developed and can be accessed at www.romaberk.eu.

The project aims to increase the labor mobility rate in Giurgiu-Ruse region.

634,937.12 euro, out of which 539,696.56 euro ERDF

Lead Beneficiary (LB): Romanian Red Cross National Society Giurgiu Subsidiary

Beneficiary 2 (B2): University of Ruse “A. Kanchev”

Beneficiary 3 (B3):Bulgarian Academy of Sciences

Beneficiary 4 (B4): Ruse administration – withdrawn from the project

Start date: 21.04.2017

End date: 20.10.2018

Duration: 18 months

Veliko Tarnovo, Pleven, Vidin, Vratsa, Ruse and Dobrich in Bulgaria (+ Sofia)

Giurgiu, Mehedinţi, Calarasi, Constanta, Dolj in Romania (+Bucharest)

• 1 study to identify measures for better correlation between the individual skills, education, employment potential and opportunities in the labor market
• 2 regional resource centers for employment
• 2 job fairs organized
• 1 information and motivation campaign organized
• 1 IT job platform for job mobility and website developed

Programme outputs: 10 initiative that activate workforce mobility in the cross border area, 250 participants in joint local employment initiatives and joint training, 150 participants in joint educational and training schemes to support youth employment, educational opportunities and higher and vocational education across borders

Programme results: 14. 623 people from Giurgiu- Ruse region that will have access to joint employment initiatives

The project is finalized.

Results:

- 1 study to identify measures for better correlation between the individual skills, education, employment potential and opportunities in the labor market from region Russe-Giurgiu;

- 2 Regional Resource Centers for Employment in Giurgiu – Ruse region, one in Giurgiu and one in Ruse. These Regional Resource Centers for Employment were equipped with the necessary infrastructure (laptops, desktops, furniture, office and windows licenses);

-   2 jobs fairs in the Giurgiu - Ruse region, one in February 2018 in Giurgiu and one in October 2018 in Ruse;

-   One IT Job platform for mobility was developed within this project, providing opportunities for people looking for a job and companies looking for employees in the Giurgiu – Ruse area. The platform is available at www.mobgiru.eu.

The project aims to increase the entrepreneurial and labour activities in the area of organic food production, delivery and promotion in the cross border area Constanţa-Dobrich.

129,793.23 euro, out of which 110,324.25 euro ERDF

Lead Beneficiary (LB): Black Sea Centre of Excellence (BG)

Beneficiary 2 (B2): ONG Mare Nostrum (RO)

Start date: 20.04.2017

End date: 19.10.2018

Duration: 18 months

Veliko Tarnovo, Pleven, Vidin, Vratsa, Ruse and Dobrich in Bulgaria (+ Sofia).

Giurgiu, Mehedinţi, Calarasi, Constanta, Dolj in Romania (+Bucharest)

• 1 Organic- Entrepreneurial Network that will link geographically the existing organic food businesses, start-ups, trainees and education and associated institutions;
• 1 web portal “Cross-Border Nature-Friendly Entrepreneurs”;
• 2 spot-visit workshops at host farms and companies in the region of Constanta and Dobrich;
• 1 joint Organic festival “The gifts of Nature”;
• training sessions and partnerships with education institutions in organic food area.

Programme outputs: 10 initiatives that activate workforce mobility in the cross border area: 1 common strategy, 3 education schemes, 3 trainings, 2 spot visits, 1 organic international festival

Programme results: 402.580 people from the cross border area Constanţa-Dobrich that will have access to joint employment initiatives in organic food area

The project is finalized.

The following results were obtained:

- 1 Organic - Entrepreneurial Network that links geographically the existing organic food businesses, start-ups, trainees and education and associated institutions;

- 1 web portal “Cross-Border Nature-Friendly Entrepreneurs”, which can be accessed at the following link: http://eco-bs.eu/;

- 2 spot-visit workshops at host farms and companies in the region of Constanta and Dobrich;

- 1 joint Organic festival “The gifts of Nature”;

- 3 training sessions and partnerships with education institutions in organic food area.

To improve the sustainable use of Nikopol-Turnu Magurele cross-border cultural heritage by developing, implementing and promoting an integrated joint approach for investing in sustainable tourism.

Total budget of the project = 5,816,165.49 euro, out of which 4,943,740.66 ERDF

Lead beneficiary (LB): Nikopol Municipality, Bulgaria

Beneficiary 2 (B2): Turnu Magurele Town, Romania

Start date: 31.03.2017

End date: 30.12.2023

Duration: 81 months

• construction works for restoring Turnu Magurele fortress;
• constructing Nikopol archeological park with access road to Cliff Church 3 stakeholder workshops for developing 9 integrated tourist products/services;
• 1 joint marketing strategy;
• 1 joint information web portal and smartphone application;
• 5 info terminals;
• 2 clubs for historical restorations;
• 1 large-scale cross-border festival;
• information and publicity materials.

Programme outputs:10,000 visits to supported sites of cultural and natural heritage and attraction (COI); 2 integrated tourism products; 7 integrated tourism services; 1 common strategy

Programme results: 2,800 tourists overnights in the CBC region

The project was finalized on 30.12.2023 and the following results have been reported:

LB: the works on the road to the Cliff Church and the works for the construction of the Open-air Museum - Archaeological Park "Piers of the Time"were finalized. The protective wall and the works on the museum is finished. The museum is in the process of opening for visitors.

B2: the restoration of the Turnu fortress in Turnu Magurele was completed and is open for visiting.

Within the project so far the following equipment and services have been delivered:

- A joint marketing strategy have been elaborated and can be found at the following adress: https://thebridgesoftime.com/?page_id=6918&lang=en

- A trilingual online portal “The bridges of time” and a smart phone application have been developed and can be found at https://thebridgesoftime.comand the smart phone app , respectivelyGoogle Play Store under the name “The bridges of time”;

- 100 pieces of household costumes from the ancient era which will be used by the 2 clubs for historical restorations have been purchased.

- 2 clubs for restoration of the historical events have been established, one by LB and one by B2 and a training has been performed for the Romanian and Bulgarian club members with a duration of 200 hours.

- A four-day joint camp at the two clubs for ancient and medieval historical events in Turnu Magurele (Romania) and Nikopol (Bulgaria) was organized during the period 21-24.09.2023 in Nikopol and Turnu Magurele.

- The 3-day cross-border festival “The Bridges of Time” was organized in the period 06-08.10.2023 in Nikopol and Turnu Magurele. On 6^th of October 2023 the festival was organized in Turnu and during the period 07-08.10.2023 in Nikopol.

- A workshop with tour operators and other relevant stakeholders for development of joint tourist products and services and assessment of marketing strategy was organized during the period 27-28.11.2023 in Nikopol Municipality.

More information are available at: https://thebridgesoftime.com, and also on the mobile application The Bridges of Time.