Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Mariya Gabriel: Support for innovators in the Western Balkans is support for the region's European perspective
13 December 2023 News.jpeg)
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mariya Gabriel hosted the second edition of the Butterfly Innovation Awards. The ceremony took place on 12 December in Sofia. The Butterfly Innovation Awards were established in 2021 by the Regional Cooperation Council to promote and support innovative solutions from the Western Balkans.
The aim is to support economic development and innovation culture in the region by rewarding successful examples of innovators, youth and women entrepreneurs.
The awards are presented in 6 /six/ categories — industry innovation; green innovation; STEM innovation; youth innovation; university innovation; women's innovation.
‘The Butterfly Innovation Awards are a celebration of creativity, ingenuity and commitment to innovation,’ Deputy Prime Minister Mariya Gabriel said at the opening ceremony. ‘Innovation is a driver for the region with huge potential. We rely on the talent, collaboration and diversity of the region's cultures — they are our strength, not our weakness. The awards show that the Western Balkans can turn challenges into opportunities and the region into a leader in innovation.
‘It is important to highlight the achievements — there is a lot of work and close cooperation behind them,’ the Deputy Prime Minister stressed. She pointed out that achievements in the field of innovation are inspiring for the next generation of entrepreneurs. ‘I would like to thank all 87 participants in the competition. It is very important to me that their number is growing. Through innovation, we are creating an ecosystem where talent, regions and industry can work together,’ Mariya Gabriel added.
The Deputy Prime Minister especially thanked the Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council, Majlinda Bregu, for the commitment and dedication that has led to the remarkable achievements being celebrated with the awards.
Mariya Gabriel presented the awards in the categories ‘Innovation in Women’, ‘University Innovation Award’ and ‘Youth Innovation’. The Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council, Majlinda Bregu, and the Minister of Innovation and Growth, Milena Stoycheva, presented the awards in the other categories.
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