ZENTYR ZA IZSLEDVANE I ANALISI

Their core work

The Centre for Research and Analysis is a Bulgarian NGO specializing in science communication, public engagement, and bridging the gap between research and society. Their flagship activity is organizing Bulgaria's European Researchers' Night events (the FRESH–REFRESH–FRESHER series), coordinating hands-on science activities, exhibitions, and entrepreneurship competitions nationwide. They also contribute to EU-wide initiatives on responsible research and innovation (RRI), food policy dialogues, and public engagement with key enabling technologies, consistently serving as Bulgaria's local implementation partner for pan-European outreach campaigns.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

Their early H2020 work (2015–2017) was broader, participating as a third party in pan-European exhibition projects like SPARKS and contributing to food system policy dialogues in FIT4FOOD2030. From 2016 onward, they increasingly focused on coordinating Bulgaria's Researchers' Night, running three successive editions with growing scope — adding interdisciplinary themes, cultural heritage connections, and inclusion elements. The trend is clear: they moved from being a local delivery partner in others' projects to becoming the established national coordinator for MSCA-funded public engagement in Bulgaria.

They are consolidating as Bulgaria's go-to organization for MSCA Researchers' Night events, with each iteration expanding in thematic scope toward inclusion, cultural heritage, and interdisciplinary science communication.

How they like to work

They operate in a dual mode: as coordinator for national Researchers' Night events (FRESH, REFRESH, FRESHER) and as a third-party contributor in large pan-European consortia (SPARKS, FIT4FOOD2030, SocKETs). Despite being a small NGO, they have connected with 75 unique partners across 31 countries — a remarkably wide network built through participation in large CSA consortia. This makes them a useful gateway partner for anyone needing Bulgarian public engagement capacity within a European consortium.

Extensive European network spanning 75 partners across 31 countries, built primarily through large Coordination and Support Action consortia. Their connections are broad rather than deep, covering Western and Eastern European research and science communication organizations.

What sets them apart

They are one of very few Bulgarian NGOs with a proven track record of coordinating MSCA-funded Researchers' Night events, having done so three times in succession. This continuity gives them established relationships with Bulgarian universities, schools, science centers, and media that would be difficult for a newcomer to replicate. For any EU project needing public engagement, science communication, or dissemination activities in Bulgaria, they offer a ready-made local network and event infrastructure.

Highlights from their portfolio

• REFRESH
  Their largest funded project (EUR 19,250) and the second iteration of Bulgaria's Researchers' Night, adding interdisciplinary and cultural heritage dimensions to the established format.
• FIT4FOOD2030
  Their only food-sector project, involving multi-stakeholder dialogues on EU food policy — shows capacity beyond science communication into policy engagement.
• SocKETs
  Most recent third-party involvement (2020–2023), focused on public engagement with Key Enabling Technologies, signaling a move toward industry-relevant science communication.