Under the patronage of Organised by

Conference

Balkan from Space – 4.0

ConferenceConferenceConference

Balkan from Space – 4.0Sustainable Future

through Research, Innovation, Data and Entrepreneurship

Sofi a Tech Park27-28 April 2020

Sofi a Space Week is organized for the fi rst time in Bulgaria, under the auspices of Ministry of Economy. The event includes several important elements such as two international Hacka-tons (ActInSpace 2020 and Copernicus Hackaton Sofi a 2020) – aimed at developing innova-tive potential and entrepreneurship in Bulgaria, an Exhibition „New technologies and innova-tions 4.0“ – with the participation of leading companies in the aerospace sector and the second conference „Balkan from Space – 4.0: Sustainable Future through Research, Innova-tion, Data and Entrepreneurship“ and will ensure platform for exchange between wide range of international experts, researchers, decision makers at political level, industry representati-ves, users of space applications and non-governmental organization.

Over the last decade many sectors of the European economy have become increasingly reliant on satellite data, especially those in transport, logistics, agriculture, telecommunications, energy and many others. The opportuni-ties offered by the European space programmes – Galileo, EGNOS and Copernicus contribute for enhancing Euro-pe‘s competitiveness and sustainable development.

The main pillars of the conference are dedicated to:

Space for better future – EU space research and innovation policy to support Green deal, Digital eco-nomy and Prosperity.

New ecosystems for sustainable growth – supporting accelerated economic development and addres-sing sustainability, green and inclusive growth.

Space solutions for Sustainable Balkans – regional perspectives including Danube and Black Sea.

Space R&D, Digitalisation and Innovation – smart solution to address societal challenges

Bulgarian Space Policy fi t for Future – focus on Bulgarian future Space Strategy.

The Conference will cover various space-related topics that interest different audiences, from policy-makers to start-ups, the public authorities to industry stakeholders, as well as will contribute for increasing awareness for possibilities for space innovation and solutions.

Liliya Ivanova, Deputy Minister of Economy

Under the patronage of Organised by

Conference

Balkan from Space – 4.0 PRELIMINARY PROGRAM

27 April 2020

Sofia Space Week Plenary

Opening of the conference and presentation of the winners from the Copernicus and Act in Space Hackathons

14:00 – 15:30 Opening keynote: Ms. MARIYA GABRIEL, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and YouthKeynote: Mr. EMIL KARANIKOLOV, Minister of Economy Keynote: Mr. KRASIMIR VALCHEV, Minister of Education and Science Keynote: Ms. YORDANKA FANDAKOVA, Mayor of Sofi aKeynote: Ms. EVA MAYDELL – MEP, Committee on Industry, Research and Energy, European Parlia-ment Award ceremony for the winners in the Innovation races (Act In Space Hackathon and Copernicus Hackathon) with Commissioner Maria Gabriel

15:30 – 16:00 Coffee break

Plenary Session 1 Space for Better Future

16:00 – 17:30 Panel topics and participants : EU space research and innovation policy to support Green Deal, Digi-tal Economy and ProsperityEuropean Space Agency – (tbc) European Commission, DG DEFIS – (tbc) European Commission, DG CONECT – (tbc)European GNSS Agency/EUSPA – (tbc)BG – Ministry of Economy / Directorate Economic Policy – (tbc)BG – Ministry of Education and Science or Bulgarian Academy of Science – (tbc)

17:30 – 19:00 Q&A, End of the fi rst day

19:00 Cocktail – (TBC – ???)

Under the patronage of Organised by

Conference

Balkan from Space – 4.0 PRELIMINARY PROGRAM

28 April 2020

Plenary Session 2 New Space Ecosystem for Sustainable Growth

9:00 – 10:15 Keynote speech: LILIYA IVANOVA, Deputy Minister of Economy – (tbc)Panel topics: Supporting accelerated economic development and addressing sustainability, green and inclusive growth: setup up of space hubs, accelerators, incubators to support start-up/ scale –up/SME’s industry, young entrepreneurshipQ&A

10:15 – 10:30 Coffee break

Session Space Solutions for Sustainable/Green Balkans (EO&GNSS)

10:30 – 12:00 Panel topics : Uptake of space downstream market – regional perspectives including Danube and Black SeaQ&A

12:00 – 14:00 Lunch

Session Space R&D, Digitalisation and Innovation – smart solution to address societal challenges

14:00 – 15:30 Panel topics : Open science, data and innovations to support regional space ecosystem – HPC, Big Data, AI, Quantum, Cybersecurity Q&A

15:30 – 16:00 Coffee break

Session Bulgarian Space Policy fit for Future

16:00 – 17:15 Panel topics : Bulgarian space sector – a way forward; preparation of BG Space Strategy; BG sci-ence and technology policy in 2021-2027, presentation preliminary results of Survey of the capaci-ty of BG Space sector – PECS, ESA project, discussion about the BG perspective towards ESA mem-bershipQ&AConcluding address: Karina Angelieva, Deputy Minister of Education and Science – (tbc)

17:30 End of the Conference