Title: Collaborative Advancement for Renewed Education, Generation, Economy and Technology Transition
Acronym: CARE-GET
Funding: European Urban Initiative – Innovative Actions (EUI-IA)
Lead Applicant: Haskovo Municipality (Bulgaria)
Duration: 42 months (December 2024 – May 2028)
Website: haskovo-hub.bg
Summary
CARE-GET is an innovative urban development project that addresses the challenge of talent loss and socio-economic decline in shrinking cities. Through the establishment of a MedTech Hub in Haskovo, Bulgaria, the project pilots a replicable model that integrates healthcare services, telemedicine, digital training, green infrastructure and entrepreneurship support.
The project’s mission is to revitalize Haskovo’s local economy by improving access to healthcare, supporting digital and green transitions, and fostering youth employment and innovation. The MedTech Hub will provide co-working spaces, wellness services, training programs, and a startup incubator, transforming a former orphanage into a multifunctional center for health and technology.
In addition to the pilot city of Haskovo, three transfer partners—Druskininkai (LT), Komotini (GR), and Siena (IT)—will test and adapt the model to their local contexts, ensuring broader European impact.
URBASOFIA’s Involvement:
URBASOFIA contributes to CARE-GET as a strategic Delivery Partner, with a focus on:
- Leading the development of the Local Economic Development Strategy for Haskovo (WP5)
- Supporting the investment roadmap and functional programming of the MedTech Hub (WP8)
- Co-leading the Transfer activities (WP9), supporting knowledge exchange and adaptation in partner cities
- Contributing to the design of interdisciplinary training curricula (WP6) and startup mentoring formats (WP7)
- Ensuring effective stakeholder engagement, communication, and capitalization across work packages
With its experience in integrated urban development and EU-funded innovation projects, URBASOFIA ensures a cross-cutting territorial perspective and supports the replicability of CARE-GET across Europe.
The Consortium:
Main Urban Authority
- Haskovo Municipality
Project Partners
- URBASOFIA
- Bulgaria Economic Forum
- LIP TRADE LTD
- TRAKIA UNIVERSITY – STARA ZAGORA
- GENERAL HOSPITAL FOR ACTIVE TREATMENT – HASKOVO JSC
- Alliance for Regional Cooperation and Development
Transfer Partners
- Administration of Druskininkai Municipality
- Municipality of Komotini
- Municipality of Siena