The European Union Contest for Young Scientists (EUCYS) has been organized since 1989 with the aim of promoting science and research among Europe's youth and bringing together the talented youth of Europe to meet others with similar abilities and interests and to communicate with some of the most prominent scientists in the world. Bulgaria will organise EUCYS for the first time in 2019, but the organisers have rich previous experience in hosting similar events, which have been organised with the partneriship and support of the Ministry of Education and Science(MES), and the key expertise of the Institute of Mathematics and Informatics of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (IMI BAS), a public research organisation with more than 40 years of experience in bridging education and research. This partnership will continue, with MES as a leading organization and IMI-BAS, stepping in as a linked party of the ministry responsible for the coordination and implementation of the competition programme and the parallel scientific and cultural activities. The contest will bring together more than 150 young researchers from more than 40 countries. Furthermore, a pilot alumni parallel program will gather former participants in the contest and lay the foundations of a future EUCYS alumni network. For four days the participating projects will be interviewed by jury composed of leading European scientists and will compete for European Union prizes, special prizes and host organization prizes. In their free time the participants will be offered the opportunity to visit Bulgarian research institutions and historical monuments with Europe-wide significance.

Research infrastructures (RIs) are one of the key elements for the development and improvement of knowledge and technology. Long term sustainability has been repeatedly highlighted as the main challenge for European RIs and it will depend on a common understanding and agreement among policy-makers and research managers as well as the industry stakeholders. Building and enhancing scientific excellence is the main prerequisite for long-term sustainability but often governments and industry apply additional requisites for further and future investments in infrastructure such as socio-economic impact, opening up to innovations and markets, attracting private investments and equipping next generation with appropriate and high-qualified skills. Crucial part of the debate on the long-term sustainability of RIs in Europe is the management and enhancement of e-infrastructures, data access and use, and the links to the European Open Science Cloud. Secondly, the development of the ERICs (European RIs consortiums) and engaging governments and national funding agencies in supporting, coordinating and participating actively in them. Last but not least, in the overall discussions for the future of Europe, achieving the European Research Area and the next Framework Programme 9th, is emerging the question on the inclusiveness in ERA and active involvement of the RIs from the periphery of the European continent for increased mobility, networking and competitiveness of all European regions. In the prospect of the discussions on the proposal of the European Commission on the next Multiannual financial framework and the 9th Framework Program for Research and Innovation, coupled with exploring the opportunities for promoting public-private partnership, the project for a Flagship conference during the Bulgarian EU Presidency intends to provide a platform for discussions on increasing the impact of research and innovation for society and industry.

In the prospect of the discussions on proposal of the EC on the next Multiannual financial framework and the 9th Framework Program for Research and Innovation, coupled with exploring the opportunities for promoting public-private partnership for increasing the processes of inclusive participation involving actors from different sectors, the project for a Flagship conference during the Bulgarian EU Presidency intends to provide a platform for discussions on increasing the impact of R&I for the whole food chain, in response to societal needs and expectations, climate change and globalization. To do this, Bulgaria will address, invite and involve a wide diversity of actors to build a shared and inclusive vision, boosting future investments in R&I in Europe and leveraging private investments and increasing synergies with public funding. Within the overall European Research and Innovation context, this would mean maximizing the impact from R&I on industry, policy and society, and making difference for local and regional communities and enhancing their innovation potential. The focus of the conference will be on R&I for future proofed Food and Nutrition Systems. Food 2030 – Research and Innovation for Food and Nutrition Security and Quality Empowerment conference concept will be built upon the whole Food System approach, linking land and sea, producers to consumers and back to addresses the four FOOD 2030 priorities: Nutrition for healthy and sustainable diets, Climate and environmental sustainability, Circularity and resource efficiency, Innovation and empowering communities. Such decision is motivated by the accord that research and innovation are key for a better future for societies and will bring secure and competitive environment including transforming existing food systems so that they become sustainable, resilient, diverse, responsible, inclusive and competitive. The outcome of this event will provide the impetus for Europe to further boost broad-based innovation