26.06.2025
On June 24, 2025, the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” hosted the international meeting "Tools for NextGen Education". The event brought together academic experts, high school students, university students, and representatives from the non-governmental sector.
The conference was opened by Prof. Dr. Eleonora Stancheva, Director of the Career Center at the Faculty, who emphasized the crucial role of education as the foundation for a responsible and sustainable society.
“Today’s event is not the conclusion of a project but the beginning of a new direction — a world where education is not just a source of knowledge but a driver of social transformation. Green and digital skills are no longer optional — they are critically necessary”, she stated
Prof. Stancheva also highlighted the active role of the Career Center in building bridges between academia and the real world through internships, challenges, and trainings related to ESG and sustainable entrepreneurship.
The first panel, moderated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Marina Stefanova, Vice-Dean “Sustainablility, Empowerment, and Engagement” at the Faculty, focused on UN Sustainable Development Goal 4 – Quality Education. She presented progress and challenges from Bulgaria’s Voluntary National Reports (2020 and 2025), as well as the achievements of Sofia University, and specifically the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, in relation to key indicators. Assoc. Prof. Stefanova emphasized the Faculty’s role as a model in promoting the principles of sustainable development.
“In recent years, we have shown that higher education can be not only adaptable but also a leader in the transition to a sustainable future. We are proud that the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration is recognized as a model for integrating the SDGs into academia. Here, we don’t just talk about sustainability – we teach it, we practice it, and we inspire young people to carry it forward. We believe quality education is the surest path to a fairer and more sustainable society”, she added.
During the session, the Kaleidoscope mobile visual science center was presented, along with the gamified platform EthiCitizen, designed to foster sustainable habits.
A youth panel discussion also took place under the motto “The Education We Need for the Future We Want”. Students from various schools and from the Faculty shared their views on the challenges facing modern education, emphasizing the need for more practical knowledge, digital skills, opportunities for entrepreneurship, and involvement in real-world projects.
The international segment featured participants from Greece (social enterprise Liofyllo) and Spain (organization Jovesolides), who shared best practices in sustainable entrepreneurship education. Biliyana Kamburova, Executive Director of the Kauzi Foundation and lead partner of the project “STEM Student Entrepreneurship for Sustainable Development”, presented the online platform STUD Entrepreneurs — a free educational resource aimed at young people aged 15–29, with a focus on social entrepreneurship and sustainability. The platform is particularly valuable for youth in remote areas or with limited access to quality education.
The event concluded with the SDG Game 2030, where participants created scenarios for a sustainable future. The conference demonstrated how active learning methods and international cooperation can make education not only informative but also inspiring and transformative.