First BEAD Project Partner Meeting Held at the Chamber of Commerce in Călărași

On 31 July 2025, the first official meeting of the partners under the BEAD (Bridging Education Across the Danube) project, co-financed by the Interreg Romania–Bulgaria Programme, took place at the Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture in Călărași. 

Vladimir Petkov from the Bulgarian-Romanian Chamber of Commerce (BRCC, leading partner) presented the overall vision of BEAD, its main objectives, expected results, and the impact it aims to have on cross-border educational cooperation.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rumyana Lebedova introduced the participants to the role of the Silistra Branch of Ruse University in the initiative, as well as the potential of the new integrated laboratory to be developed under the project.

The objectives of the University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine in Bucharest – Călărași Branch – and its motivation for participating in BEAD were presented by Andrei Iova.

Also attending the event were Mr. Marian Drăgan – President of the Călărași Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture, Mr. Nicu Vasile – President of the Romanian League of Agricultural Producers’ Associations, and Mr. Vihren Dimitrov – Executive Director of Pig Farm Golyamo Vranovo. They discussed current topics related to the socio-economic situation in the region.

The BEAD partners discussed upcoming events, joint activities, and the schedule for developing new curricula, equipping training laboratories, conducting pilot trainings and visits. The meeting also saw the formation of the BEAD Steering Committee, and participants outlined the next steps in the project’s implementation.