Key skills and expertise

Senior EU Funds Expert with 15+ years of experience in ESF/ERDF programme design, management, and evaluation, including budgets up to €1.2B. Proven track record in donor-side policy design and programme architecture, ensuring compliance with EU regulations, national legislation, and political priorities. Skilled in programming, financial planning, tendering, execution, verification, certification, and impact evaluation.

Extensive experience in developing national acts, strategies, and implementation plans harmonised with socio-economic needs and EU policy objectives. Strong background in needs assessment, socio-economic and financial analysis, and creation of funding schemes that align with both donor requirements and national priorities.

Delivered 50+ successful EU-funded projects across Agriculture, Competitiveness, Education, Cross-border cooperation, Norwegian Financial Mechanism, and Erasmus+ programmes. Adept at stakeholder engagement with the European Commission, national ministries, international donors, and private sector partners.

Languages: English (C3), Russian (B1), German (B1), Spanish (A2), Bulgarian (Native).

Project experience and donor exposure

With a background in international development cooperation, the expert has collaborated on projects funded by the European Social Fund (ESF). Responsibilities have included project management, financial analysis, and reporting for the Human Resources Development Operational Programme in Bulgaria. Thematic areas of focus have been human resources development and agriculture, with a strong emphasis on EU-funded initiatives. The work primarily took place in Bulgaria, involving both national and sector-specific projects.

Sectors and geographic focus

Worked across diverse sectors such as public administration, institutional development, grants management, human resources, and finance. The expert has held roles like senior expert in EU Funds and project manager, with responsibilities in financial analysis, project development, and management. Cross-cutting expertise includes managing EU-funded projects and initiatives in agriculture and human resources development. The geographic scope of the work is primarily country-specific to Bulgaria and the Balkan region, with significant involvement in national and sector-specific projects.

Extensive experience in:

1. Bulgaria: Deep familiarity with local governance, public administration and the banking sector. Strong, long-term contacts with the decision makers in the banking, industrial and ngo sector.
2. Balkans states: family business trough DG NEAR: Macedonia; Serbia; Georgia, Belarus, Gaza
3. (Central Europe) Budapest-Hungary: CEU Business School - McKinsey overlord Anthonhy Rade

Languages and education

With a background in language proficiency, the expert is a native Bulgarian speaker and possesses fluent proficiency in English. They have working knowledge of Russian, German, and Spanish, which have been utilized in various professional contexts, including international conferences, multilingual teams, and communication with government and public administration. The expert holds a Master in Finance from VUZF University of Finance, Business and Entrepreneurship in Bulgaria and an MBA in Finance & Entrepreneurship from CEU Business School, Central European University in Hungary. Additionally, they earned a Bachelor in Finance from the University of National and World Economy in Bulgaria. Their foundational education in Banking, Accountancy, and Insurance was completed at the National Trade and Banking High School in Bulgaria.