Nearly 100 young and energetic people from Bulgaria and abroad took part at the fifth edition of Academy “Innovation in Action”. They develop their ideas in various spheres: effective use of resources, innovative education, healthy lifestyle, rediscovering Bulgarian tradition and culture. Despite the huge competition, Bulgarian Blagovesta Tsenova was awarded the first prize for her project for digital resource center designated to provide a comprehensive educational solution. Blagovesta described her idea which impressed the jury which consisted of successful professionals and businessmen:

Our project is named X-SIP.ORG. It is a digital resource center for STEAM projects. In consists of two parts- educational video content presented in an innovative way- through animation and visualization. It covers the theoretical rationale of any STEAM science (STEAM is abbreviation of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Math). The project includes proposal for “scientific boxes” to any video, i.e. we put theory into practice. Our target group includes children from elementary schools aged between seven and fourteen. Thanks to oud idea they have the opportunity to prepare projects together with their teachers in learning environment or parents in home environment that would develop their creativity and teamwork and their ability to innovate and experiment. These are the competences of the 21^st century and they prepare children for the professions of the future.

The education of the future will look for discoverers and thinkers, Blagovesta Tsenova contends and adds:

Despite the technological boom, the educational requirements towards children and young people are getting higher. For us it is important to encourage creativity in children – the so-called thinking outside the box. We want to make creators, not consumers. The future belongs to creators.

However, there are some drawbacks in the innovation sphere as well. Blagovesta Tsenova gave some advice to the people who want to succeed with their ideas:

There are many thinking people in Bulgaria who try to materialize their ideas, but they need more practice. They need projects such as Innovation in Action. They need to find the instruments and a way to validate their ideas, i.e. they need to see whether the client practically needs this innovation, and whether the things they offer will be demanded and sold successfully. Projects such as Innovation in Action bring many practical tips, feedback and mentoring. People must be ready to suspend their project anytime – to abandon some ideas, in order to prove its sustainability and upgrade it. Most of the people who want to turn their ideas into reality are not ready to abandon their ideas, in order to change it and improve it. In some cases, they focus too much on it and are not able to see the opportunities around them that would help them fulfill their projects in the best way possible.

As the winner of the grand prize Blagovesta Tsenova will have the opportunity to participate at the summer programme of Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management:

I expect a lot of work and many challenges from the training programme. I also expect that knowledge will be presented in a new way. I will depart to Brussels with plenty enthusiasm. I am sure that the programme will exceed my expectations. I and my team believe that education is the best investment, regardless of the age and the stage of someone’s professional or personal development. I would like to see all people motivated and willing to make the change!

English version: Kostadin Atanasov