Acting Executive Director of the Invest Bulgaria Agency (IBA), Angel Ivanov, participated in the discussion panel “Mobilising Capital for Europe’s Coal Regions: From Strategy to Investment Pipeline”, held within the framework of Green Transition Forum 6.0 in Sofia.

The event was organized under the COALition project and brought together representatives of institutions, businesses, financial organizations and regional stakeholders from Bulgaria, Greece and Romania engaged in the economic transformation of coal regions.

The discussion focused on opportunities for attracting investments to regions undergoing transition, the role of institutional support, the development of innovation ecosystems and the financing mechanisms needed to facilitate sustainable economic transformation.

During the panel, Mr. Ivanov emphasized that sustainable investments require not only financial resources but also strong regional ecosystems, modern infrastructure and a well-prepared workforce capable of meeting the needs of future industries.

He highlighted the importance of cooperation between national and local authorities, businesses, educational institutions and financial organizations in creating favourable conditions for investment and long-term economic growth.

Participants discussed practical approaches for transforming coal-dependent regions into attractive locations for new industrial projects, technological innovation and sustainable employment opportunities.

The forum reaffirmed the importance of coordinated efforts and targeted investment policies in supporting regional competitiveness and ensuring a successful green transition across Europe’s coal regions.