Haskovo
CARE-GET - Collaborative Advancement for Renewed Education, Generation, Economy and Technology Transition
The CARE-GET project envisions a future where health, wellness, technology and nature approaches harmonise to create a vibrant and sustainable urban way of life. The project mission is to tackle the challenge of harnessing talent in shrinking cities while improving medical services and fostering the local job market. The municipality of Haskovo aims to leverage its existing cultural, educational and economic assets to propose an innovative MedTech Hub, harnessing talents to resolve skills gaps, long-term youth unemployment, brain drain and lack of job possibilities for young employees.
Our main challenges...
Population decline and brain drain: Young people leave Haskovo due to limited education and employment opportunities, leading to an aging population and a shrinking workforce, which strains healthcare and the economy.
Youth unemployment and skill gaps: Haskovo’s youth struggle to find jobs matching their skills. A mismatch between workforce qualifications and labour market demands hinders sustainable employment and economic growth.
Healthcare access and workforce shortage: An aging population increases the demand for healthcare services, while the lack of qualified healthcare professionals limits the urban authority’s ability to meet these needs, especially in rural areas.
and proposed solutions
New MedTech Hub and wellness centre in a former orphanage: With wellness services and a digital corner for telemedicine, the hub fosters collaboration between professionals and students to drive healthcare innovation and improve service accessibility.
Digital skills and training programmes: Tailored training programmes align education with industry demands, equipping individuals with skills in digital health and technology, and preparing young professionals for the job markets.
Business incubation and start-up support: Offering mentorship, digital tools and business incubation, the project empowers start-ups in healthcare and technology, driving local entrepreneurship and creating new opportunities for young innovators.
Key figures
Milestones
Personal telemedical devices and stations installed in certain key locations.
The main investment focuses on transforming the former orphanage into a MedTech Hub.
The plan provides a roadmap for the hub's ongoing success and its sustainability.
A dynamic network of entrepreneurs and innovators for the healthcare technology sector.
