On March 23, 2022, the sod-turning ceremony of the high-tech building of the ‘Clean & Circle’ Center of Competence was held. The building is located in Lozenets r.q., in the campus of Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, leading partner in the project, near the Faculty of Physics, the Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics, along with the Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy and two other Centers of Competence. “This project has the chance of becoming an example of what the benefit can be from integrating science and business and society’s needs”, noted in his speech Prof. Anastas Gerdjikov, Rector of Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”. 
In the Center of Competence, over 100 researchers and young scientists are already developing technologies with readiness for their actual application. In his speech, the Deputy Minister of Education and Science – Academician Konstantin Hadjiivanov, made a reference to them: “The generation after us will develop in conditions at a European level.”   
The symbolic first sod was turned by the Deputy Minister of Education and Science – Academician Konstantin Hadjiivanov, the Rector of SU “St. Kliment Ohridski” – Prof. Dr. Habil. Anastas Gerdjikov, the project coordinator – Prof. Yana Topalova, PhD, DSc, and the mayor of Lozenets Region – Dr. Konstantin Pavlov. 
“The symbolic first sod for the building means for us, above all, having a special place for clean technologies on our country’s agenda. This building with its scientific infrastructure, the specialists who are already part of the ‘Clean&Circle’ Center of Competence and the technologies we are working on, are our faith and conviction in a better future against the backdrop of the difficult times in which the project is being implemented and in which we currently live. This is the faith that with professionalism, will and sustainability we will make people’s lives, the economy and the environment better,” said the project coordinator Prof. Yana Topalova, PhD, DSc. 

Among the guests of the event were the rectors of the partner universities (the University of Forestry and the University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy), the directors of the partner institutes of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, the deans of the natural science faculties of SU, as well as representatives of the business partners in the project in the person of Mr. Vasil Trenev – director of Sofiyska Voda AD, operated by Veolia, Mrs. Nevena Lazarova – Deputy Director of the Municipal Enterprise for Waste Treatment, and representatives of OP “Science and Education”. 
The construction of the building is part of the project “Clean technologies for sustainable environment – waters, waste, energy for circular economy”, grant agreement BG05M2OP001-1.002-0019. The project is implemented with the financial support of OP “Science and Education for Smart Growth”, co-financed by the EU through the European structural and investment funds.

More about ‘Clean&Circle’ Center of Competence
Project BG05M2OP001-1.002-0019: “Clean technologies for sustainable environment – waters, waste, energy for circular economy” (Clean&Circle) for the construction and development of a Center of Competence
Leading Organization: Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”
Partners: University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy (UACEG), University of Forestry, 
"Prof. Dr. Assen Zlatarov" University - Burgas, Institute of Physical Chemistry "Academician Rostislav Kaishev" - Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Institute of Organic Chemistry with Center for Phytochemistry - Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Institute of Microbiology "Stefan Angelov" - Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, "Cleantech Bulgaria" Foundation.
Associated Partners: Municipality of Sofia, Municipal Enterprise for Waste Treatment, Sofiyska Voda AD, Interplast BG Ltd., Energy Agency – Plovdiv, University of Modena, Italy.
Project budget: 
Overall cost: BGN 23,667,925.86.
European structural and investment funds: BGN 20,117,736.97 
National cofinancing: BGN 3,550,188.89
Project duration: 30 March 2018 – 30 November 2023
Objective: 
Building effective infrastructure and research capacity to develop innovations in the circular economy focusing on water, energy and waste management.