13.02.2023
BULGARIA IS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE EU IN THE PARTICIPATION OF ADULTS IN LIFELONG LEARNING
The European Commission has declared 2023 the Year of Skills. Having a workforce with the skills that are in demand contributes to sustainable growth, leads to more innovation and improves the competitiveness of companies.
In 2021, the participation rate of adults in lifelong learning was 11% in the EU. This is an increase compared to 2020 (9%) and is the same share reported in 2019, data from the European statistical office Eurostat show.
Participation rates in almost all EU countries increased steadily between 2011 and 2021, with the exception of Denmark (-10%) and the Czech Republic (-6%). The biggest increase was registered in the Netherlands (+10%), Sweden (+9%) and Finland (+7%).
In 2021, the highest participation rates of adults in education were recorded in Sweden (35%), Finland (31%) and the Netherlands (27%). At the other end of the scale, the lowest share of adult participation in learning was reported in Bulgaria (2%), Greece (4%) and Slovakia, Romania, Croatia and Poland (all 5%).
10.02.2023
THE FIRST FLOATING WIND TURBINE IN THE BLACK SEA WILL BE ON BULGARIAN TERRITORY
The first floating wind turbine in the Black Sea, designed by the French company Eolink, will be manufactured by the Romanian GSP Offshore, reports Romania Insider.
The turbine will be tested in Bulgarian territorial waters as part of an EU-funded project. The BLOW (Black sea Floating Offshore Wind) project starts this month with a budget of 21 million euros, of which over 15 million euros will come from the EU under the Horizon Europe program. The project should last 5 years until the end of 2027.
The green investment includes 16 participants, uniting the efforts of research and business organizations, among which is the University of Mining and Geology in Sofia. It aims to exploit the floating offshore wind potential of the Black Sea by installing a demonstration system with a capacity of 5 megawatts off our coast.
The wind turbine is being developed by the French engineering company Eolink. The floating structure will be manufactured by Romania's GSP Offshore in Constanta and should be ready by 2025. The company, led by Gabriel Comanescu, will transport the turbine to the mooring area. The investment is in the amount of about 12.56 million euros.
The floating wind turbine will be used to power a gas platform in the Black Sea operated by oil and gas company Petroceltic. The turbine will be fitted with a larger rotor to generate more power in areas with low wind, Eolink said.
"The aim of this specific project is to demonstrate the competitiveness of floating offshore wind in areas with lower wind with the deployment of a large diameter rotor. Winning this funding has allowed us to take a step forward towards our ultimate goal: offering a viable energy source with the lowest possible carbon emissions," Eolink founder and CEO Marc Guyot said in a statement.
The floating turbine in Bulgaria will be Eolink's second in Europe after a similar project in France, which is expected to be connected to the French electricity grid by 2024.
"The World Bank's 2021 report shows that there is huge technical potential in South East Europe, with a staggering 166 gigawatts of floating offshore energy in the Black Sea alone, equivalent to 5 times the electricity consumption of Bulgaria and Romania. Through this project, we hope to catalyze offshore development in the region, which already has offshore wind projects currently under construction in Romania," says Eolink Commercial Director Alain Mori.
An energy island between Bulgaria and Romania
In the future, the wind turbine may become part of the so-called "energy island" to be developed jointly by Romania and Bulgaria. With joint efforts, the two countries can solve the problem of connecting a large amount of offshore wind power to their electricity grid, says a new report by the Energy Policy Group (EPG), a Bucharest-based independent think tank that deals with energy and climate policies.
"The Romanian-Bulgarian Energy Island would be an effective and scalable solution to unlock large-scale deployment of offshore wind energy as well as valuable interconnection capacity with other Black Sea countries (such as Turkey, Georgia, as well as Azerbaijan further east), drastically improving energy security and contributing to regional price stability," the think tank's report said.
The total capital expenditure allocated to Romania in a joint energy island project with Bulgaria, including 3 gigawatts of offshore wind farms, would be €8.4 billion, with €810 million representing Romania's share of the energy island, while the resulting annual energy production would calculated at 9.8 terawatt hours, EPG claims.
An eventual energy island in the Black Sea basin – which EPG says could also connect future offshore wind power from other countries around the basin – already has a good foundation: the recently announced high-voltage submarine cable linking Romania, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Hungary, according to experts.
New hydroelectric plants between Bulgaria and Romania
The energy cooperation between Romania and Bulgaria has recently been very active and there are other joint projects. The two countries also plan to build two hydroelectric plants along the Danube River to be used jointly on the model of the "Iron Gate" hydroelectric plants used jointly by Romania and Serbia.
The first 840 MW co-generation plant will be located between Nikopol in Bulgaria and Turnu Magurele in Romania, with feasibility studies and evaluation already in place as a basis.
The second plant is slated to be located in Silistra, Bulgaria and near Calaras, Romania, but exploration there is only now beginning.
09.02.2023
TOP PERSONALITY QUALITIES EMPLOYERS ARE LOOKING FOR
When it comes to job hunting and success in the workplace, your personality traits play an important role as they will determine your success in the new company.
In addition to the basic professional skills you need to possess (communication, teamwork, decision-making and organization), there are other more personal qualities that employers look for in candidates.
Here are the main personality traits that employers look for in candidates:
The ability to manage stress effectively is the key to success in the workplace. Employers are looking for people who can work well under pressure and perform their duties. Dealing with the emotions that arise due to stress, such as frustration, anxiety, nervousness and anger, is vital.
Negative emotions quickly spread throughout the team and not only interfere with work, but also affect the overall atmosphere. So if you want to maintain good relations with colleagues and be productive, you need to learn how to deal with stress. The goal is to not let anything affect you more than it should. This is the key to success.
No one likes to be told what to do all the time, and a certain degree of independence is always necessary, in any work environment. But being independent doesn't mean doing whatever you want. In fact, it's quite the opposite.
Being independent means being able to take care of your own needs while taking responsibility for your own decisions and paying attention to those around you.
When you learn how to work independently, you have the freedom to unleash your skills and talents. It can also make your employer want to see more of your abilities and ideas.
Self-motivation is one of the most important qualities that leads to success, as it helps you realize your goals and facilitates progress.
Without drive or motivation, it is impossible to advance in your career. Employers value goal-driven employees.
The first step to developing your self-motivation is to choose a job you love. It's important to be happy and productive, but also satisfied with what you do for a living.
No employer or manager wants to tell you what to do all the time – they're busy people too. It is their responsibility to teach you the basics and unwritten rules of the company culture. But from this point on, you don't have to rely on them for every decision you make.
Taking initiative means coming up with creative solutions yourself, testing them and finding out what works and what doesn't. It's about trusting your gut and not being afraid to make mistakes.
It all starts with confidence, and if you want to make others believe in you, you must first believe in yourself. This applies to every job interview you go to, presentation you give, meeting you attend, and project you lead.
Confidence is about knowing what you are good at and recognizing the value you can bring to the team. Confidence also inspires trust and loyalty.
If you feel you lack confidence, there are a few things you can do. Start by recognizing aspects of yourself that you would like to improve, and then take action.
Without creativity, there can be no innovation. Creativity requires the courage to abandon certainty and embrace change. For employers, this is a skill that can lead to innovation in the workplace, making it a highly sought-after quality.
Employers are always looking for employees who are ambitious. HR managers are usually impressed by candidates who want to increase their capital, who are ready to accept any challenge, complete any task or take constructive criticism seriously.
Let's be honest: it can be difficult to always be enthusiastic about your work. For many people, routine leads to a loss of enthusiasm, which then hurts your chances of advancement at work. Although it's easier said than done, you need to maintain a level of excitement about your career.
Being conscientious is a skill that many employees lack these days. Some managers argue that this is a quality in high demand, as it is one of many skills that are in short supply in today's talent pool.
A conscientious employee is one who is organized, responsible, reliable, punctual and planning.
This ties in with some of the previous personal qualities we mentioned, but punctuality is critical to a successful career, whether you're in the office or working from the comfort of your home.
If you want to become more accurate, then you will need to make it your priority. Things like keeping a daily routine and using a timer to complete tasks can certainly help.
09.02.2023
NEAR NIKOPOL AND SILISTRA: BULGARIA AND ROMANIA ARE BUILDING HYDROELECTRIC PLANTS ALONG THE DANUBE RIVER
Romania and Bulgaria intend to build two hydroelectric power plants on the Danube River to be used jointly on the model of the "Iron Gates" hydroelectric power plants operated jointly by Romania and Serbia. This is written in a document published by the Bulgarian government.
The plans are for the two plants to be built by the Romanian state company Hidroelectrica.
The construction of the plants is part of Bulgaria's energy development strategy until 2053, developed by the Minister of Energy.
The first 840MW joint-venture plant will be based between Nikopol in Bulgaria and Turnu Magurele in Romania, with feasibility studies and evaluation already in place as a basis.
The second plant is to be located in Silistra, near Calaras, Romania, but exploration there is only just beginning.
The two countries have already held several meetings with the participation of the energy ministers of Romania and Bulgaria. The two countries are likely to sign a memorandum on the project next month. Construction of the projects is expected to take between 5 and 6 years.
Bulgaria's new energy strategy also includes a corridor for the transmission of electricity through Romania and Slovakia to Hungary, as well as an increase in the capacity of transmission lines with Turkie.
08.02.2023
PROTECTING WHISTLEBLOWERS
The Parliament in Bulgaria adopted a Law for the protection of persons reporting or publicly disclosing information about violations.
The main purpose of the law is to ensure the protection of persons in the public and private sector who file reports or make public information about violations of Bulgarian legislation or EU acts, which became known to them during or on the occasion of performing their work or fulfilling their official duties.
Obliged entities under this law are all employers in the public sector, with the exception of municipalities with less than 10,000 inhabitants. In relation to the private sector, it is envisaged that employers with more than 50 workers or employees, as well as those with less than 50 workers or employees, if their activity falls within the EU acts, are obliged entities.
The law also aims to ensure effective protection of whistleblowers or public disclosures of violations regarding acts and areas where law enforcement needs to be improved.
The scope is broad, with categories including: public procurement, financial services, products and markets, anti-money laundering, environmental protection, public health, consumer protection, transport safety, privacy and data protection, security of networks and information systems, etc.
What are the interrelationships between the adopted law and labor and service relations?
At first glance, the subject of the law is not labor and directly related relations, insurance relations, as well as issues of the standard of living, but in practice, in most cases, the persons who will file reports are precisely workers or employees. And it is against them that some kind of pressure, coercion, influence, threat and other unfavorable actions, disciplinary sanctions or direct dismissal could be applied because they have reported violations.
It is about protecting the rights of workers and employees, their personal data, as well as the status and role of trade unions in the process of reporting violations.
Regarding the field of application, this law should also be applied in relation to reports or public disclosure of information about violations of Bulgarian legislation in the field of labor legislation and legislation related to the performance of public service. In practice, the persons making such reports will, in most cases, be in the capacity of "worker or employee" or "public servant", that is, working under an employment or official legal relationship.
Closely related to labor relations are insurance relations or legal relations. Their importance comes from the fact that they are public relations to compensate for the adverse social consequences for the insured person or for the family members supported by him when carrying out the social risks provided for in the law, as a result of which temporary unemployment, temporary/permanent incapacity or death of the insured person, but also all questions concerning the granting and amount of pensions, pension funds, etc.
08.02.2023
TRAVEL EXPENSES WILL BE PAID IN A NEW WAY DURING A BUSINESS TRIP
An increase in the minimum amount of daily allowance for business trips from BGN 20 to BGN 40 foresees changes in the Ordinance on business trips in the country, uploaded for public discussion.
In this way, an adequate amount of per diem is guaranteed to the seconded person to cover the costs of food during business trip in the country, it is written in the reasons for the project.
It is also possible to pay daily allowances up to 200 percent of the statutory minimum at the discretion of the seconding officer or when this is stipulated in a collective labor agreement or in an agreement with a trade union organization of civil servants. Per diems will not be paid only when a full-day free meal is used at the place of the business trip, and accommodation allowances - when free accommodation is used, the regulation also states. The last change in the amount of the daily business allowance was on January 1, 2008, when it was set at BGN 20. This amount does not correspond to the growth of inflation in recent years.
With the changes, even when using a personal car, business travelers will be paid travel expenses equal to the value of the fuel consumed according to cost norms determined by the manufacturer of the motor vehicle, for a combined traffic mode - urban and extra-urban. Currently, the regulation stipulates that the road money is based on the cost of the motor vehicle for the most economical mode of movement, i.e. only for extra-urban traffic, which leads to the impossibility of covering the real costs.
It is regulated that when an employee is posted for more than 1 month, the employer is obliged, at his request, to allow him once a month, during one of the days off and holidays, to return to the place of his permanent work, paying the travel expenses.
Another change provides that the persons who travel as suppliers, suppliers, couriers, distributors and others, where the nature of the work is related to travel between different settlements, are not considered posted. The provision in force at the moment specifies that those persons who travel as placers of materials, goods, production and in other cases under civil contracts are not considered posted.
The posting order will now be able to be created as an electronic document. The obligation in it to determine the need to prepare a report is repealed, while the obligation to determine the type of report for the work performed remains.
08.02.2023
HOW TO PROTECT OURSELVES FROM SCAMS BY WITHDRAWING LOANS ONLINE ON OUR NAME?
Imagine that you go to the bank to take out a loan and are surprised to find out that you have a bad credit history, even though you have always been a good payer. Several loans have been taken out in your name, which are not being repaid and whose existence you did not suspect.
This is followed by a tour of all the financial institutions from which loans have been taken out in your name. If you are lucky, after a lot of arguments, headaches and lost time, you will be proven right and the fraudster will be discovered.
The anonymity that the Internet offers has given customers more convenience, but it has also opened up new horizons for fraudsters. The main problem with online lending is that the customer cannot be identified.
Take a look at the sites of a few random lending institutions - you will be impressed by the advertising of loans "only against ID", "express approval in one hour", etc. When the signing of the contract does not take place face-to-face, it is possible to become a victim of fraud with your personal data.
Verification is the mother of security
Everyone has the right to access their credit history in the Central Credit Register of the BNB. CCR is a data information system that contains information about where and what loans you have.
If you are worried or have doubts that someone has taken out a loan on your behalf, you can make an inquiry at the CCR. The reference can also be made electronically, but the person must possess a qualified certificate for an electronic signature containing the personal identification number of the individual.
The other way in which an inquiry can be made is on-site at the BNB, by submitting an application according to a template. You have the right to a free reference once a year, and additional checks are subject to a fee determined by the BNB. The report is received within 14 days. The application can also be submitted by mail, with the requirement that the applicant's signature be notarized.
How to protect yourself from fraud
Many people often handle their personal data without paying much attention to where and to whom they provide it. But you need to be on your guard so you don't have to pay back amounts you haven't used and end up in even more serious legal trouble.
Statistics show that in recent years, cases of this type of criminal arbitrariness have become more and more frequent, sometimes involving tens of thousands of BGN. Fraudsters may take out multiple small loans from different lending institutions.
Some people naively give out their online banking access code to strangers, believing it is needed to get a job, pay for a purchase, etc. After obtaining the desired data, the fraudsters use it to take credit from online and mobile lending companies and pay an identification fee from their victim's bank account. Once the loan amount is transferred, the fraudsters immediately withdraw it from the victim's account.
If a malicious person obtains even just your personal identification number, he could receive money in your name, and it is logical that the company would then look for the person behind the relevant data used. Therefore, do not share your personal data, even with acquaintances, if this is not imperative.
There are also many cases where fraudsters get hold of people's personal details, through electricity, water and telephone bills, as well as bank statements. Anyone could get hold of these confidential documents, which are often left in mailboxes.
Here's how to insure yourself to the max:
- never give your personal e-mail or social network account passwords to anyone;
- avoid using wireless internet in different places, such as cafes and restaurants;
- choose a password that is not easy to guess (letters, numbers and characters) on a regular basis (at least once every 3 months);
- use different passwords for social networks, email and online banking;
- keep written information about the account number and passwords for online banking and access codes in a place inaccessible to other people;
- order the bank's SMS service for notification of incoming/outgoing payments;
- protect your computer with a password and update your software regularly;
- never open suspicious emails from unknown senders;
- always verify the identity of the person or company to whom you allow access to your personal data;
- educate yourself and the people around you about personal data protection!
How to act if you find an irregularity
If you have been a victim of fraud, early detection is of the utmost importance. For example, when you start receiving personally addressed correspondence or calls related to the recovery of incurred debts.
In this case, you must first determine the reason for the collection, i.e. on what grounds the creditor's representative initiated collection actions. The most common reason is a loan agreement signed with a credit institution. In the event that you did not sign a contract, this situation can be assessed as fraud.
You should check whether your bank account has been operated illegally. For starters, it's a good idea to start by checking your account - looking at transactions and identifying any you haven't done. This data can be used as evidence in the investigation process.
If an error has occurred and you are registered without taking out a loan, you should immediately contact the credit institution. Ask the CCR for the history and inform the bank or company that registered you about the mistake made. If fraud has been committed, they will launch an investigation to track down the perpetrator.
If you discover that a loan has been illegally withdrawn in your name, you should contact the police and file a complaint immediately. Attach a bank statement showing the fraudulent transaction. When the police receive the fraud victim's complaint, they decide to initiate criminal proceedings, making sure that the transactions in question were not carried out by the victim.
Virtually any of us could become a victim of digital criminals who use stolen personal data to withdraw money on behalf of their victims. The most important thing is not to panic and start paying off debt that is not yours. If you make a contribution even once, you are "on the hook" and they won't let you go. File a rebuttal and seek your rights because the law is on your side.
07.02.2023
YOUNG TALENTS IN OUR COUNTRY WILL BE TRAINED IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Young talents with entrepreneurial potential between the ages of 15 and 30 can join the "Incubators for Innovative Enterprises" project, which was launched in Plovdiv on February 19, reports the Fund of Funds, which organizes the project in partnership with the "Association for International social development" and Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski".
The project is financed under the Erasmus+ program of the EU. Its budget is 50,550 euros.
The main goal of the project is to stimulate the partnership between young entrepreneurs in the country and representatives of the local administration, business and educational institutions through seminars and interactive training methods, practical exchange of knowledge, skills and ideas.
Simulations in the form of role-playing games for the creation of startups are planned to upgrade the knowledge and skills of young people related to the generation of innovative ideas, business planning, entrepreneurial skills, creation and financing of startup ventures, presentation to investors. Those wishing to participate will be selected by completing a digital questionnaire created for the project.
Among the goals of the project are professional career guidance of young people, development of entrepreneurial skills and their own business, and opportunities to finance their innovative ideas, said Dochka Vasileva from the Fund of Funds. If they already have their business idea and innovative solutions, we will work together with the young people so that they can further develop their idea, in the preparation of a business plan and a presentation to investors. We could finance young startups in an early phase through our equity investment funds, Vasileva pointed out.
So far, 30 young talents from Plovdiv have expressed their desire to participate. There is interest from young people and from other cities, said Daughter Vasileva.
Seminars on the project are planned to be held in 10 cities in the country. Apart from Plovdiv, there will be meetings with young entrepreneurs in Vratsa, Ruse, Varna, Burgas, Gabrovo, Stara Zagora, Svishtov, Blagoevgrad and Sofia.
07.02.2023
THE MUNICIPALITIES WITH THE MOST UNEMPLOYED PEOPLE HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED
The Ministry of Finance announced the municipalities in which unemployment was at or above 25 percent higher than the national average last year.
The list includes 165 mostly small municipalities. Blagoevgrad and Vidin districts have the most municipalities with high unemployment – 11 each.
Among them are the resort of Bansko, Petrich, Gotse Delchev, Vidin itself and Belogradchik. 10 are the municipalities with many unemployed in the Montana region, among them Berkovitsa and Lom.
The fewest municipalities with high unemployment are registered in Sliven district - Kotel and Tvarditsa, and in Yambol district - Bolyarovo, Elhovo and Straldzha.
According to data from the Employment Agency for the last month of last year, unemployment in our country was 4.7%. This means that unemployment in the mentioned municipalities is running at 30 percent.
At the end of December, the registered unemployed in the labor offices totaled 153,944, which is an increase of 8,513 persons more than those reported in November. Newly registered in December were 26,413 - 2,669 more than the previous month.
07.02.2023
THE EU COUNCIL ADOPTED A RECOMMENDATION ON THE MINIMUM INCOME
The Council of the European Union has announced that it has adopted a recommendation on the minimum income, which aims to combat poverty and social exclusion, increase employment, access to basic services for citizens without sufficient means.
Although all EU countries have social security systems, progress in making them accessible is uneven, so the Council recommends that countries provide and improve these systems with minimum income rates and other accompanying cash benefits, including in kind.
It is recommended that the level of the minimum income be determined according to a clear methodology, in accordance with national legislation and with the participation of stakeholders, taking into account the common sources of income, the particular needs of disadvantaged people and households, the income of the lowest paid or minimum wage earners, living standards and purchasing power, price changes.
EU countries are expected to take action to achieve an appropriate level of income support by 2030 at the latest, while maintaining budget sustainability.
States should regularly review and change the minimum income value. In times of economic downturn, flexibility in the calculation of the minimum income can play an important role in mitigating adverse social consequences and supporting the economy, the announcement added.
In 2021, more than 95.4 million Europeans are still at risk of poverty or social exclusion, especially among women, according to figures cited by the Council of the EU.
