The Bulgarian Presidency Flagship Conference “Research Infrastructures beyond 2020 – sustainable and effective ecosystem for science and society” held on 22-23 March, 2018 in Sofia Tech Park, Bulgaria, with more than 300 participants.

The overall goal of the conference was to stress on the importance of continued political commitment to public and ESIF investments in research infrastructures by demonstrating evidence for the broad benefits of research infrastructures for society and industry. The event presented an opportunity to validate to policy makers, industry and society that excellent science through long-term investments in research infrastructures is critical for tackling the rapidly changing grand challenges, to accelerate diffusion of knowledge to large number of SMEs and to increase the overall innovation and competitiveness performance of Europe.

The VI-SEEM project has been presented in the conference exhibition by a special booth with videos, project posters and project brochures. The VI-SEEM booth was visited by many participants including Mr. Krassimir Valchev- Minister of the Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science (MES), Prof. Ivan Dimov, Deputy Minister of MES, Mr. Jean-David Malo – Director, Directorate General “Research and Innovation”, EC. The program of the conference is available here and more information about the exhibition – here