BULGARIAN ASSOCIATION FOR TRANSFER OF TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION, BULGARIA

General information

BATTI was established in 2014 with the idea to create regional community of innovation support and technology professionals, to promote high standards in the provision of innovation support and technology transfer services to SMEs, NGOs, public sector, universities, etc. and to share professional experience and good practice, with a view to developing the knowledge economy and improving the quality of life in Varna and Bulgaria, in general.

BATTI is a non-profit organization with head office in Varna and branches in Sofia, Burgas, Ruse and Blagoevgrad. BATTI’s team has extensive and varied in-depth experience in the preparation, implementation, monitoring, reporting and dissemination of results in more than 60 national, regional and international projects, both as a lead organization and as a partner. BATTI is one of the largest Bulgarian associations promoting or providing high quality innovation support and technology transfer services to SMEs, NGOs, public sector, universities, etc with the aim to develop the knowledge economy and boost the wealth creation process.

BATTI provides established contacts, networks, resources through more than 400 partners in the country and experience necessary to involve different target groups. The NGO brings together actors and stakeholders, people, communities and economies of the Romania - Bulgaria, Serbia-Bulgaria, FYROM-Bulgaria, Greece-Bulgaria, Turkey-Bulgaria cross border regions to facilitate learning, exchange of experience, to participate in the joint development of a cooperative area, using its human, natural and environmental resources and advantages in a sustainable way. BATTI participates in international projects in the cross border programmes, the Black Sea and the Danube programmes to provide fora for exchange of information and best practices, transfer of experience with an emphasis on modern technology, e-business, web-based solutions, SME support, education, life-long learning, international cooperation and social dialogue, ecology, youth, cultural exchange, tourism, cross border cooperation programs, etc.

Official website - www.batti.eu

Project activities and results

Activity T2.2 – Creation of a digital map of underwater archaeological heritage in Bulgaria

BATTI will create an interactive map of the seabed, reveal detailed reliefs and attractions, and will in particular awaken the interest of tourists, marine professionals and researchaers who will be able to map the underwater archaeological area in the sea water in real time. It will contribute to the mapping out of existing cultural and historical monuments - both well known and for those where only dispersed data and insufficient information is available. The digital map will outline newly discovered sites as well.

Results:

• 1 digital map of the underwater archaeological patrimony in Bulgaria.

Activity T3.2 Holograms creation for the archaeological sites of the natural and cultural patrimony in Bulgaria

The holographic projection equipment will be provided during this activity, which will help to create holographic projections, capture of seabed remains and finds of cultural significance found in the natural and cultural heritage of the region of Varna. In addition, to work professionally with the equipment available, the staff will be trained so as to maximize the benefits of the hologram self-propelled drone. The data will be provided to the Historical Museum, the Military Marine Museum in Varna and other cultural organizations.

Results:

• 1 piece of holographic equipment - a set of projector and a drone purchased.

Activity T4.1 Equipping the project implementation team

During this project activity, 3 laptops will be purchased in order to be used by the implementation team members to maintain a permanent communication between partners.

Results:

• 3 laptops purchased for the project implementation team members.

Activity T5.1 Holistic study of Bulgarian Black Sea Costal Archaeology

The activity will demonstrate that good relationships in the field of culture could be the best ambassador for creating good neighborly relations. Taking into account the key advantages of the archaeological heritage in the Black Sea regions of Bulgaria - unique underwater and terrestrial sites, their balanced sustainable development and use will be achieved for the benefit of the entire society. By exploring and presenting these objects to a wider European audience, it will contribute to greater European cooperation and integration. The holistic study will contain reports, working documents with archaeological and cultural value, artifacts and photo material and statistical data.

Results:

• 1 holistic study of Bulgarian Black Sea coastal archaeology, elaborated by an external contractor who carried out the specific research activity.

Activity T6.1 Organizing cultural heritage under water course and scientific discovery diving training course

This activity aims to create a positive atmosphere for optimizing the potential of the partner team by involving young people in research and educational events during and after the project. Six people will be trained for underwater knowledge, underwater exploration of sites and underwater video shooting, for which the necessary underwater and diving equipment will be delivered. By training underwater archaeology (surveys and excavations), the 6 participants will:

1. engage in real underwater explorations that have not been possible over the last 10 years and enable them to gain direct experience in underwater archaeology;
2. understand various aspects of underwater archaeological research:
   • archaeological surveys - geophysical methods for remote exploration of the bottom - how we localize and identify underwater targets;
   • pre-excavation research - micro- and macro-paleontology methods - used for palladium reconstruction and coastline changes;
   • dating methods in archaeology - radiographic dating and optically stimulated thermo- luminescence;
   • underwater excavations - the difference between terrestrial and underwater excavations, methods of excavation under water, equipment, etc.

A contractor with a capacity and experience in diving training will be selected and a program of the participants will be organized. The results will be provided for the promotion of the partners and, at the end of the training, a presentation of the achievements of the Bulgarian underwater archaeology and the results of the learned in the form of an archaeological exhibition will be organized.

Results:

• 6 trained persons (2 courses) in a diving school for underwater archaeological research - surveys and excavations;
• Underwater specific equipment purchased for 6 persons.

Communication activities

Activity C.1 Communication start-up activities

After signing the subsidy contract, the institution will issue a press release announcing the project, the general objective and the specific objectives, the activities and the results of the project.

Results:

• 1 press release to announce the beginning of the project.

Activity C.6 Public events - Information campaign in Bulgaria

In the framework of the activity, a communication strategy will be written, which will plan the dissemination of the results achieved after each started activity, so as to be limited to the public and promotion. A contractor will be selected to plan and organize a total of 6 roundtables and conferences throughout the project period. Public events will include representatives from various industries - media, museums, research centers, educational establishments, partners and others - at least 30 representatives to participate in two-day events. Invitations will be dispatched, a program of the event will be prepared, facilitators will be provided and the whole process will be documented.

Results:

• 6 conferences in Bulgaria (1 opening conference, 4 intermediate conferences organized each 5 months, 1 closing conference).

Activity C.9 Press release

At the end of the project, a press release will be issued in order to announce the dissemination of results and achievement of the objectives of the project.

Results:

• press release in the national press for the finalization of the project.