For the fifth consecutive year, the Fund of Funds (FoF) will teach students the elective course “European Funds and Financial Instruments” at the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration of Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”. At the opening lecture, students were welcomed by Aleksandar Nenkov, Executive Director of the Fund of Funds, and Prof. Todor Yalamov, PhD, Vice-Dean for Research, Innovation and Projects at the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration.
The course is included in the curriculum for third-year undergraduate students enrolled in the Economics and Finance programmes (English and French programmes). It will be led by Dr Dotchka Vassileva, Head of the Project Planning and Institutional Cooperation Department at the FoF. Once again, the lectures are designed to combine academic knowledge with practical insights into financing mechanisms for businesses, innovation and sustainable development.
Students will have the opportunity to learn about European funds and the role of financial instruments, their advantages over other financing mechanisms and their practical application. The curriculum covers the European and national legal and institutional frameworks for managing EU funds; debt, equity and blended financing; and monitoring and control in the implementation of financial instruments.
The practical component of the course will include a visit to the Bulgarian Stock Exchange, where students will learn more about the functioning of the capital market, the BEAM market and crowdfunding opportunities. Sessions will also cover the role of banks and microcredit institutions, business plan preparation and pitching to investors.
Students will also take part in a startup simulation exercise, during which they will present their ideas to a jury, receive feedback and develop skills in delivering concise and persuasive pitches to potential investors. After progressing through the different stages of the course and building on their knowledge, they will have the opportunity to prepare for participation in the “Best Youth Startup in Bulgaria” competition towards the end of the programme.
To further strengthen the practical component, the course will feature guest lecturers from the Fund of Funds, the Bulgarian Stock Exchange, SIS Credit, Vitosha Venture II, Sofia Tech Park, Founder Institute and Invenio Partners, as well as representatives of successful startups from the FoF's portfolio.
