ProSkills2Work – значим проект за бъдещето на ИФС

On March 13, 2025, a large-scale research project was launched – ProSkills2Work (Progressing Promising Skills to Work in Bulgaria), funded under the Horizon Europe program of the European Union with a budget of almost 2.5 million euros. The main goal of the project is to increase the international scientific visibility of the Institute and bring its research in the field of sociology of education and work to a world-class level.   The project focuses on in-depth research on the formation of professional skills, lifelong learning, the transition from education to employment and on-the-job training. Special attention will be paid to the methodological challenges in studying these processes in the social and economic context of Bulgaria and the region.   Important features of the project  

• The attraction to ProSkills2Work of Prof. Dr. Christian Imdorf from the University of Hannover – one of the most prominent European sociologists in the field of education and work. Professor Imdorf will head a newly formed research group, “European Research Area (ERA)” at the IFS.
• Development of the scientific and innovative capacity of the IFS by improving the research, communication and management skills of scientists, including young researchers at the beginning of their careers.
• Structural reforms for sustainable scientific achievements are aimed at increasing the competitiveness of the institute at the international level.
• Building a Bulgarian Observatory of Education and Labour – a scientific centre for analysis and dialogue between researchers, policymakers and stakeholders to promote effective strategies for the development of professional skills.
• Enhanced international cooperation – the project will stimulate partnerships with research institutes, universities and stakeholders from Bulgaria, Europe and the Western Balkans.
• The project coordinator is Prof. Vasil Kirov, Ph.D. Prof. Christian Imdorf is the titular EPP for the ProSkills2Work project. Researchers in the project team are Prof. Rumyana Zheleva, Prof. Emilia Chengelova, Assoc. Prof. Petya Ilieva-Trichkova, Dr. Svetlomir Zdravkov and Dr. Bagryan Malamin. The research team is to be expanded.
• The project Supervisory Board from the IFS includes Prof. Rumyana Stoilova, Prof. Em. Veselin Petrov, Prof. Pepka Boyadzhieva and Assoc. Prof. Lyuba Spasova.
• Project Management Unit: Prof. Dr. Vasil Kirov, Ms. Ognyana Glavusanova-Mereteva, Ms. Diana Nenkova.

  With the implementation of ProSkills2Work, the Institute of Philosophy and Sociology will establish itself as a key scientific centre in Europe for the study of the relationship between education and work. In addition to scientific achievements, the project will facilitate the transfer of knowledge in management policies and will contribute to overcoming the problem of the shortage of qualified labour in Bulgaria and the region, which is among the priorities of the European Union.   As a result of its implementation, a significant increase in the number of successful applications of IFS teams when participating in competitions for national and international research funding is expected. ProSkills2Work will also focus on improving the scientific, communication, and management skills of researchers at the Institute at the beginning of their careers.