On 25 June 2026, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Marina Stefanova participated in the international event "Community Talk: How can the EU better protect people and communities from growing climate risks and disasters?", organized by the European Climate Pact.

The online discussion brought together nearly 80 participants, including representatives of the European Commission, climate adaptation experts, local community leaders, academics, and representatives of professional organizations. The discussion was moderated by Laura Maanavilja, Deputy Head of Unit at the European Commission's Directorate-General for Climate Action (DG CLIMA).

During her presentation, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Stefanova introduced the Building Resilient Businesses and Communities initiative, which focuses on strengthening the preparedness of businesses and society to address the growing risks posed by climate change. She emphasized the importance of developing knowledge, fostering a culture of prevention, and building practical skills through collaboration among academia, businesses, public institutions, and local communities.

As an example of an integrated approach, she presented the Resilience Academy—an educational initiative that combines training in sustainable management, ESG and climate risk management, crisis communication, technological solutions for environmental sustainability and disaster management, as well as practical examples of building volunteer networks and enhancing community preparedness. The Academy is implemented through a partnership between the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration at Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski", the Crisis Management and Disaster Response Centre of Excellence (CMDR COE)—NATO's international education and training centre in Bulgaria—and the Sustainability Specialists Association in Bulgaria, with the special participation of the Bulgarian Antarctic Institute and the Rescue Club for Future (RCF).

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Stefanova's participation in the discussion contributed to showcasing Bulgaria's experience in developing educational and practical solutions for strengthening resilience to climate risks. It also highlighted the importance of cooperation among academia, businesses, and public institutions in building better-prepared and more resilient communities.