Stara Zagora's second RFLL workshop
- Sam Amin
- May 8
- 3 min read
What could Stara Zagora become in the next two decades? A thriving centre for green industry? A proud, close-knit community where people choose to stay and grow? These were the questions at the heart of the second Regional Futures Literacy Lab (RFLL), where local stakeholders gathered to imagine bold yet achievable futures for their region.
The workshop created a collaborative space for participants to explore both probable futures—what seems likely based on current trends—and preferred futures—what they hope to realise. From these discussions, three central themes emerged as foundational pillars of the region’s sustainability transition:
Tourism: With its rich cultural and historical heritage, tourism was seen as an underutilised engine for economic diversification, capable of attracting international interest and investment.
Industry: Stara Zagora’s varied industrial base and strategic location offer fertile ground for innovation, especially in sustainable sectors. Participants also recognised the region’s agricultural legacy as a springboard for green practices.
Education and Science: Strengthening the region’s educational and research capacities—particularly in fields like agriculture and astrophysics—was identified as key to positioning Stara Zagora as a hub of knowledge and forward-looking talent.
Balancing belonging and economic growth
From these discussions, two distinct probable futures came into focus—each highlighting different strengths, yet incomplete on their own.
The first imagined Stara Zagora as a hub for investment and innovation, fuelled by improved infrastructure, simplified tax policies, and targeted support for green industries. Industrial zones like Radnevo and Galabovo would be reimagined for sustainable development, with enhanced transport and digital systems attracting new business. This vision aims to cultivate a diverse economy, stronger business–education partnerships, and a highly skilled workforce. Still, participants voiced concerns about fragmented governance and regional competition, which could slow progress.
The second future emphasised community pride and inclusion. It envisioned a socially cohesive region rooted in citizen engagement, cultural investment, and accessible public services. This scenario focused on improving housing, green energy use, and recreational opportunities, leading to a happier, more connected population. Yet, there were also concerns—particularly around unequal resource distribution and limited participation among underrepresented groups.
In response, participants co-developed a preferred future that merges the strengths of both: a region that balances sustainable economic growth with community well-being. This vision calls for deep collaboration among local authorities, businesses, educators, and citizens. It champions targeted support for green SMEs, better alignment between education and labour market needs, and equitable access to resources. At its core, this future aspires to resilience—socially, economically, and environmentally.
Education as a catalyst for green innovation
One of the clearest alignments between probable and preferred futures centred on education. The probable future of a well-developed research and education sector and the preferred future of a green innovation hub both reflect a common belief: when connected to local industry, education can become a powerful engine for regional growth.
The probable scenario emphasises educational reform, with a focus on aligning curricula to workforce needs through closer ties between universities and businesses. Examples like the photovoltaic sector in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, offer inspiration for how this might work in practice. Success here assumes political commitment and institutional cooperation.
The preferred future builds on this foundation and aims higher—combining educational reform with focused investments in green technologies. It imagines schools, tech companies, and local leaders working together to reduce brain drain, drive innovation, and establish Stara Zagora as a centre of sustainable expertise.
While both visions share similar challenges—such as funding limitations and policy inertia—they differ in ambition. The probable future seeks to adapt to market needs; the preferred future aims to lead them. In both cases, meaningful progress will depend on long-term partnerships and strategic vision.
Once again, the RFLL workshop amplified participants' perspectives as they explored not only what is likely to happen in the future, but also the futures they hope to shape—often tackling current weak spots to envision something better. Stay tuned to see how the conversation evolves in RFLL workshop 3!