Time                 Session / Description

09:30 - 10:00         Registration

10:00 – 11:00 Opening & Strategic Overview / Welcome, Year 2 achievements, alignment with BIO-RED mission & WP1 updates

11:00 – 12:00 WP2 updates

12:00 – 13:30         Lunch & Networking / Lunch break

13:30 – 15:00 WP3 updates

15:00 – 15:30       Coffee Break / Informal networking

15:30 – 16:30 Interdependencies BIO-RED WP's & other EU projects

16:30 – 17:00  Transfer to Tour

17:00 - 18:30         Sofia City Tour (Guided cultural experience for international delegations BIO-RED - if GA located at Sofia) / Free Time

18:30 – 19:30  Transfer to Dinner / Free time

19:30 - 22:30 Official Dinner BIO-RED / Networking event

Time                 Session / Description

10:00 - 10:30         Registration

10:30 – 12:30 WP4 updates

12:30 – 14:00         Lunch & Networking / Lunch break

14:00 – 15:00 WP5 updates

15:00 – 15:30 Risks, Mitigation & Acceleration Opportunities / Discussion based on updated risk matrix & emerging needs

15:30 – 16:00 BIO-RED Roadmap 2027 / Deliverables, milestones, expected outputs / Closing Remarks

Key Facts for Sofia 2026:

✅ Currency: Euro (EUR) – official currency since January 1, 2026

✅ Weather: Pleasant 23-24°C daytime, 12-13°C evenings

✅ Safety: Among Europe's safest capitals

✅ Affordability: Highly cost-effective compared to Western Europe

✅ Access: Direct flights from major European cities

Sofia combines affordability with rich history, modern infrastructure, and exceptional safety—ranking among Europe's most secure capitals with crime rates lower than London, Paris, or Brussels. With pleasant June weather, excellent public transportation, and a thriving cultural scene, Sofia offers an ideal environment for both professional engagement and leisure exploration.

Schengen Area Status

Bulgaria is a full member of the Schengen Area (as of January 1, 2025).

What This Means for Travel

✅ No border checks between Bulgaria and other Schengen countries

✅ Standard Schengen visas valid for Bulgaria travel

✅ Free movement within Schengen Area without routine passport control

✅ One visa covers all Schengen countries (90 days in 180-day period)

Electrical Information

✅Plug Types: C and F (European standard)

✅Voltage: 230V

✅Frequency: 50Hz

Sofia Airport

Sofia Airport lies 10 km (6 miles) east of the city center, offering multiple convenient transfer options.

 
( https://sofia-airport.eu/en/access/transportation/ ) 

Metro (Recommended Option)

Metro Line M4 (Yellow Line) provides the fastest and most economical airport connection.

Cost: €0.80 (30 min) - 1.10 (1 hour)  (contactless card or cash at machines)

Duration: 18 minutes to Serdika Station (city center)

Operating Hours: Weekdays: 05:26-23:49; Weekends: 05:27-23:33

Frequency: Every 6-10 minutes

Station Location: Terminal 2 (Terminal 1 uses free shuttle to Terminal 2)

Payment: Cash at ticket machines OR contactless credit/debit card

Journey Details: From Sofia Airport, take Line M4 toward Obelya. Serdika station (central hub) connects to all metro lines and provides access to downtown hotels, restaurants, and attractions.

https://www.metropolitan.bg/en/information-for-citizens/trip-cards-sofia-metro

Taxi

Official airport taxis offer door-to-door convenience.

Cost: €15-20 to city center

Duration: 15-20 minutes (traffic dependent)

Booking: Official taxi counter in Arrivals (Terminals 1 & 2) (Yellow taxi)

Safety: Always use official airport taxis to avoid scams

Bulgarian food reflects Balkan, Ottoman, and Mediterranean influences, characterized by fresh ingredients, dairy products (especially yogurt and cheese), grilled meats, and mild spices.

Must-Try Dishes:

Banitsa

Traditional breakfast pastry featuring layers of filo dough filled with whisked eggs, Bulgarian yogurt, and crumbled white cheese, baked until golden and crispy. A quintessential Bulgarian comfort food, served sweet or savory.

Moussaka

The Bulgarian interpretation uses diced potatoes (instead of eggplant) with seasoned ground pork, tomato sauce, and herbs, topped with a distinctive yogurt-egg crust. This hearty main course exemplifies home-style Bulgarian cooking.

Shopska Salad

Bulgaria's national salad combines fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and onions topped with grated sirene (white brine cheese similar to feta). Simple yet flavorful, this refreshing dish accompanies most meals.

Tarator

A cold soup perfect for warm June days, blending Bulgarian yogurt with water, grated cucumber, dill, garlic, salt, and sunflower oil. This refreshing dish showcases Bulgaria's famous yogurt culture.

Kebapche

Grilled minced meat (pork and beef) seasoned with cumin, shaped into cylindrical patties. Found everywhere from restaurants to street food stalls, kebapcheta represent quintessential Bulgarian fast food.

Chushki Burek

Red peppers stuffed with Bulgarian cheese, eggs, and herbs, coated in breadcrumbs and deep-fried until crispy. This popular main dish demonstrates Bulgarian mastery of stuffed vegetables.