 |
 |
 |
 |
CSDESED 2025 Conference Programme
“Cooperatives and Sustainable Development: Economic, Social, and Environmental Dimensions”
Date: 8-9 October 2025
Venue: University Centre “Bachinovo”, Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria
Day 1 (8th October 2025)
09:30 – 10:00 | Registration of participants
10:00 – 10:30 | Official opening of the conference
10:30 – 12:00 | Plenary session: Cooperatives and Sustainable Development – Challenges and Perspectives
- Nikolay Marin, PhD, Rector of South-West University "Neofit Rilski", Bulgaria - The Actors of the Social and Solidarity Economy in the Era of Artificial Intelligence: Challenges and Opportunities
- Prof. DSc. Vladislav Lazarov, National Union of Worker Producers’ Cooperatives, Bulgaria - The Role of the National Union of Worker Producers` Cooperatives in the Development of the Cooperative Movement in Bulgaria
- Prof. Shpëtim Çerri, PhD, University "Aleksander Xhuvani"- Elbasan, Albania, Dr. Ardian Durmishi, University "Aleksander Xhuvani"- Elbasan, Albania - Mapping Albanian tourist destinations based on visitors' reviews: A combined approach
- Todorka Atanasova, PhD and Assoc. Prof. Angel Sarov, PhD, Trakia University, Stara Zagora – Regional Differences and Business Models in Bulgarian Agricultural Cooperatives
12:00 – 13:00 | Lunch
13:00 – 14:30 | Parallel Sessions
|
Hall 1 – Session 1.1 Moderator – Prof. Rayna Dimitrova, PhD |
Hall 2 – Session 2.1 Moderator – Ivanka Vasenska, PhD |
Hall 3 – Session 3.1 Moderator – Prof. Milena Filipova, PhD |
|
Tourism Education in the Focus of Sustainability — Prof. Mariya Stankova, PhD |
Bulgarian Cooperatives and Jewish Kibbutz: A Comparative Study of Their Role and Significance in a Socio-Economic Context — Assoc. Prof. Elena Stavrova, PhD |
Towards Inclusive, Collaborative, and Community-Engaged Learning Models — Vesela Ivanova, PhD |
|
|
|
|
|
Peer-to-peer (P2P) insurance – a novelty or a digital return to cooperative financial practices - Assoc. Prof. Vladimir Tsenkov, PhD |
Worker Producers` Cooperatives are not and cannot be start-up companies – Prof. Stefan Michev, PhD |
Employment and Social Inclusion for People with Severe Mental Illness —Maria Stoykova, PhD |
|
|
|
|
|
The Cost of Inconvenience and Deprivation of Climate Change — Leona Aslanova, PhD |
From Green to Luxury Hospitality: A Case of Zornitza Family Estate Relais & Châteaux — Assoc. Prof. Gergana Angelova, PhD |
Social Enterprise – An Employment Opportunity for People with Mental Disabilities — Maria Stoykova, PhD |
|
|
|
|
|
The Role of Cooperatives for Sustainable Growth — Radostina Yuleva-Chuchulayna, PhD |
Energy Communities in Bulgaria – A Look from the Inside — Gavrail Gavrailov, PhD |
Importance of Cooperatives in China’s Economy: What Chinese Economists Say — Nikolay Patonov, PhD |
14:30 – 15:00 | Coffee break
15:00 – 16:30 | Parallel Sessions
|
Hall 1 – Session 1.2 Moderator – Prof. Mariya Stankova, PhD |
Hall 2 – Session 2.2 Moderator – Assoc. Prof. Ilinka Terziyska, PhD |
|
The Impact of Climate Change and Its Consequences on Tourism in the Cross-Border Region of the Republic of North Macedonia and Bulgaria —Nikola Panov, PhD Student, Assoc. Prof. Teodora Kiryakova-Dineva, PhD |
Opportunities for deepening cooperation between regional police structures and Worker Producers` Cooperatives – Boris Shturkov, PhD Student |
|
|
|
|
Artificial Intelligence and Its Role in Enhancing Economic Resilience in the EU —Apostolia Eleftheriou, PhD Student |
Cross-Sector Collaboration for Sustainable Wine Tourism in the Petrich and Sandanski Region, Southwestern Bulgaria—Svetoslava Burova-Paspaleva, PhD Student |
|
|
|
|
Economic Benefits Of Bulgarian Marine Tourism Companies From Yachting Investments In Greece: An Alternative Analysis Beyond The Black Sea - Alexandros Roland Antonopoulos, PhD Student, Prof. Mariya Stankova, PhD |
Human Resource Management in Cooperatives —Vesela Apostolova, PhD Student |
|
|
|
|
Innovative Tourism Policy Solutions for Sustainable Development for Destination Bulgaria —Mariya Belkoleva, PhD Student |
The Digital Economy and the Fight Against the Use of the Financial System to Legalize Criminal Proceeds —Stanislava Petrova, PhD Student |
|
|
|
|
Corporate Tax Rejection as a measure to stimulate economic growth. - Yanko Mihalkov, PhD Student |
Tourism Cooperatives: Benefits, Challenges, and Good Practices from a Narrative Literature Review — Assoc. Prof. Ilinka Terziyska, PhD |
19:00 | Official Conference Dinner
Day 2 (9th October 2025) – Social Programme
🚌 09:00 | Departure from Blagoevgrad
10:30 – 12:00 | Heraclea Sintica and Rupite
- Guided tour of the ancient city of Heraclea Sintica
- Visit to the natural and spiritual site Rupite
12:30 – 15:00 | Melnik
- Visit to the Kordopulova House (museum house)
- Free time for lunch and individual exploration in the smallest town in Bulgaria
15:15 – 16:15 | Villa Melnik Winery
- Guided tour of the winery
- Wine tasting (one glass included)
🚌 Return to Blagoevgrad – 17:30
💶 Participation fee: 20 BGN
(includes transport and entrance fees to all sites)