Sofia hosted a regional hybrid meeting with employers organized within the framework of the project “Functionally Sustainable Migration and Integration in Bulgaria,” led by CEED Bulgaria in partnership with the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The event brought together representatives of the business community, industry organizations, and experts in labor migration, placing a strong focus on practical solutions for the sustainable attraction and integration of third-country nationals into the Bulgarian labor market.
The Deputy Executive Director of CEED Bulgaria, Stanislav Chervenkov, opened the meeting and presented the project’s strategic framework, objectives, activities, and achieved results. He emphasized CEED Bulgaria’s consistent and hands-on approach in working with businesses, noting that this was the third and final employers’ meeting following successful events in Burgas and Plovdiv. In all regions, discussions centered on the real challenges companies face when hiring third-country nationals and the need for improved coordination between institutions and the private sector.
Chervenkov also outlined the project’s next steps, including upcoming meetings with migrant communities in Varna and Sofia, as well as an international information campaign in Albania, Armenia, Vietnam, Moldova, and Ukraine. Between March and June, CEED Bulgaria will organize online information days for interested candidates from these countries, further expanding the initiative’s reach and creating a direct communication channel between employers and prospective employees.
A key highlight of the event was the presentation of the digital platform www.bgjobsportal.com, developed under the project. The platform is an innovative tool designed to facilitate job matching for third-country nationals, enabling direct communication between employers and candidates. It offers structured information on the regulatory framework in target countries, contacts of relevant institutions and partner organizations, and an integrated chat function. Access to and use of the platform are free of charge, positioning it as a strategic resource in support of businesses.
During the discussion, Stanislav Chervenkov encouraged employers to initiate recruitment procedures for third-country nationals 6 to 12 months in advance, taking into account the time required for issuing visas and work permits. In doing so, CEED Bulgaria highlighted the importance of strategic planning and a proactive approach to workforce management.
Representatives of the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry presented the methodology developed under the project to reduce the administrative burden associated with hiring foreign workers, as well as analyses of employer attitudes and the needs of third-country nationals. The findings outlined key barriers to integration and underscored the need for professionally oriented language training, short-term practical courses, mentoring, and other targeted measures—fully aligned with CEED Bulgaria’s entrepreneurial and capacity-building profile.
The expert segment of the meeting featured attorney Magdalena Miteva from the Foundation for Access to Rights, who provided detailed clarification on the requirements and procedures for obtaining a Single Residence and Work Permit, the different types of visas, and employers’ obligations when hiring third-country nationals. The subsequent discussion addressed practical case studies, including delays in permit issuance, possibilities for changing employers or starting a second job, and other current issues raised by business representatives.
Through the project “Functionally Sustainable Migration and Integration in Bulgaria,” CEED Bulgaria further strengthens its role as an active mediator between institutions, businesses, and migrant communities. By developing practical tools, delivering targeted information initiatives, and implementing digital solutions, the organization contributes to building sustainable mechanisms for attracting and integrating a workforce from third countries—fully aligned with the needs of the Bulgarian economy and the long-term growth of companies.
