The ELEMENT project at the Plovdiv Agricultural University, Bulgaria, represents a notable advance in cleantech and biomass resource efficiency. Key to this initiative is the appointment of an ERA Chair, which will bring significant expertise in applied sciences. The core objective of the project is to stimulate both basic and applied research, with a focus on broadening and enriching the knowledge base in these specific areas. In order to achieve these goals, ELEMENT will establish a new centre of excellence in cleantech and biomass resource efficiency. This centre is expected to optimise the use of existing scientific capabilities, improve the efficiency of innovation generation and application, and facilitate increased multinational cooperation. Through these efforts, the project aims to make a substantial contribution to the field and enhance Bulgaria's scientific standing in Cleantech and biomass resources.

This is a higher education student and staff mobility project, please consult the website of the organisation to obtain additional details.

This action supports physical and blended mobility of higher education students and staff from EU Member States and third countries associated to Erasmus+ to any country in the world. Students in all study fields and cycles can take part in a study period or traineeship abroad. Higher education teaching and administrative staff can take part in professional development activities abroad, as well as staff from the field of work in order to teach and train students or staff at higher education institutions.

This is a project for higher education student and staff mobility between Programme Countries and Partner Countries. Please consult the website of the organisation to obtain additional details.

Agricultural University is the only one state-funded university in Bulgaria, specialized in agricultural sciences. The University was founded in 1945. 3000 students are studying in 20 undergraduate, 28 master and 26 PhD programmes. The University has been developing as a modern national and European educational and research center.Erasmus+ programme is the most important international programme at the University, with the largest number of potential beneficiaries, with major influence both for students and staff. All current programme activities are based on results achieved in 17-years long period from starting the programme at the University. Agricultural University respects and supports the main priorities in its institutional policy - internationalization and modernization. Erasmus+ activities contribute to achieving these international agenda goals. The Programme contributes to establishing new and strengthening the existing contacts with universities and business partners, exchanging good practices, updating the study content of the courses, as well as creating new programmes and courses. The Erasmus+ activities broadened the institutional perspectives and scope and contribute to developing itself as the university not only with regional and national significance but also as a European educational and scientific institution.Individual mobilities of students and staff are the engine for international visibility. Erasmus+ supports increasing quality of education by giving the opportunity for students to enrich their academic and professional knowledge through Erasmus study or traineeship mobility. The Programme encourages involvement in educational and research projects. It contributes to increasing qualification of teachers and administrative staff and language competencies of students and staff.Agricultural University respects the principles set out in Erasmus+ Charter for Higher Education. The University ensures non-discrimination, transparency, information, equal treatment and recognition of achieved results. All mobilities are based on Inter-institutional agreements. The University provides full recognition of Erasmus+ study and traineeship mobilities of outbound students and issues Diploma Supplement. The University publishes course catalog and useful information for incoming students. In 2016-2017 academic year, Agricultural University has 90 inter-institutional agreements with universities, agricultural farms, hotels, research institutes, etc. from 21 partner countries. The results are positive and the outbound student mobility for training has been doubled in comparison to the previous Programme period. The outbound student mobility is increased significantly compared to academic year 2015-2016. The University has realized 29 additional mobilities thus the total number of mobility flow is:- 115 mobilities (66 student mobilities and 49 staff mobilities)- Student mobilities - 54 traineeship mobilities (mainly in UK and Greece) and 12 study mobilities (Czech Republic, Poland, Germany, Spain).- Staff mobilities - 14 teaching and 35 training mobilities.Around 2 % of our students had Erasmus mobility for study or traineeship.Incoming student mobilities - 13 (9 for study and 4 for traineeship). Student study inbound/outbound mobility rate 9/12.Incoming staff mobilities are 23. Staff mobilities inbound/outbound rate is 23/49.Erasmus office and ESN - Plovdiv supports IRO in providing assistance to inbound students - language preparation, housing, insurance, integration.The impact of participation on Erasmus mobility periods is disseminated in workshops or conferences in and outside the University (eg, job fairs, projects meetings) and more specific events/seminars on internationalization, mobility, and academic cooperation. The programme's activities contribute to the university development as unique national and European educational and research institution in the field of agriculture and life sciences which educates skilled and competent graduates of the Bulgarian and European labor market. Erasmus+ activities contribute to increasing international visibility and attractiveness of AU - Plovdiv by raising international recognition of its courses and research.