Leveraging public and private efforts for boosting the digitalization of the Bulgarian construction sector

EU has set an ambitious strategic framework for the transformation of the construction sector into resource-efficient, innovative and sustainable one. The construction ecosystem in the EU employs nearly 25 million people and generates 9.6% of the added value in the economy. The construction ecosystem is dominated by SMEs – 99.9%. For reforming the sector, the EC has put in place numerous strategies and initiatives with direct impact on the construction sector - The EU Climate Adaptation Strategy, The New CE Action Plan, Energy Efficiency Directive, Energy Performance Building Directive, Construction Products Regulation, Pact for Skills etc. 

The construction sector is an intersection of all economic activities. The efforts to increase innovation and competitiveness, support reskilling and upskilling, adopt circular processes and support digitalization are of utmost importance. This is extremely valid for the Bulgarian construction sector in which small companies employ 86.6% of the work force and the challenges related to digitalization and skills appear even more pronounced.

The transformation of the Bulgarian construction sector to a more digital and resource efficient one is of key importance for achieving the commitments to the EU Green Deal. Therefore, the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works (MRDPW) initiated the process of developing the National Strategy for Digital Transformation of the Construction Sector 2030 and Roadmap for its implementation. The transformation needs to happen on multiple levels – public and private, local, regional and national and to integrate multiple topics – circularity and digitalization, new knowledge and skills, adoption of new technologies. The mobilization of additional expertise was needed, and this is where the EDIH in construction stepped up to actively support the process by leveraging expertise in defining the key measures of the Strategy and appointing it to support their implementation on national level. 

Established by 11 leading nationally represented organisations, the EDIH is recognized as the most relevant actor in building digital transformation capacity in the construction sector in Bulgaria. This public recognition triggered a dialogue between the EDIH and the MRDPW for provision of expert support in drafting the National Strategy for Digital Transformation of the Construction Sector 2030, in specific, the areas within the EDIH’s expertise: one-stop shop for public and private support for innovation adoption, twin transition, skills development – all of them of highest relevance for the Strategy. During the process, the EDIH participated in working group meetings, analysed the draft strategy and provided suggestions for its best-fitting role and support in the implementation. As a result, in the adopted National Strategy and the Roadmap by the Council of Ministers on 6th April 2023, the EDIH takes the role of national integrator of science and industry in the process of transformation of the Bulgarian construction sector and is appointed responsible for the implementation of “S.O.2.1 Development of the digital capacity and skills of the work force in the construction sector” and “S.O.2.2 Activities related to innovation in the construction sector”. 

The inclusion of the EDIH as a key actor in the Strategy is in practice novel approach for the Bulgarian policy making – it aims to address the digital transformation of the construction sector holistically. This involvement will: 

• Bridge expertise gaps in innovation adoption in the construction sector on national level 

• Leverage policy making processes on national and EU level

• Establish common national vision on skills development for the construction sector

• Speed up market realization of innovation in the construction sector

• Streamline national and international funding opportunities and improve access to them for SMEs

• Provide better access to international networks, platforms and shared infrastructure for companies.

By taking the role of national integrator of science and industry in the process of transformation of the Bulgarian construction sector, the EDIH’s role in the implementation of the Strategy becomes central for achieving Strategic Objective 2 Sustainable and Competitive Construction Sector. The results and benefits achieved by the EDIH in this role are related to the fact that until 2030 the EDIH becomes:   

• Main national provider of specialized capacity building formats in the field of digital technologies for the construction sector 

• Main point for access to specialized research infrastructure and expertise for pilot testing of innovation and digital technologies aiming at faster market realization

• Main point of contact for information regarding funding mechanisms for SMEs in national and international programmes for pilot testing of digital technologies and implementation of innovation projects. 

• Supporter for access to partner networks, innovation platforms and shared infrastructure 

• Main orchestrator of the topics for collaboration between science and business with focus on digitalization of the construction sector 

Following the time horizon for implementation of the Strategy and the Roadmap, the timeframe of these activities stretches until 2030 (well beyond the funding period of Digital Europe) thus establishing solid public-private partnership between the EDIH and MRDPW in the realization of the national priorities. The activities are envisaged to be co-funded by Research, Innovation and Digitalization for Smart Transformation Programme 2021-2027. Additional sources of funding will be sought in the process incl. from the national budget.