•Denitza Bojinova - Co-founder and Managing Director of Evrobalkani
Denitza Bojinova has worked extensively in business development and project management for international development projects in addition to her academic research and teaching experience in political science, democratization, institutional strengthening, and gender analysis. She is an experienced grant and proposal writer with extensive knowledge of the procurement processes of various international institutions and agencies, including the World Bank, the European Union, the Asian Development Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, the African Development Bank, and the United States Government (USAID, MCC, and USTDA).
Since 2004, Denitza is the Co-founder and Director of Evrobalkani, an organization specialized in the provision of consulting services for EU-funded projects in South-Eastern Europe. Evrobalkani provides assistance to local governments and SMEs as well as promotes cross-border initiatives for the socio-economic development of the Balkan and Black Sea regions. In addition, Evrobalkani is a partner organization to IOS Partners, Inc. (www.iospartners.com), an international economic development and financial advisory firm based in the Florida, United States and with over 15 years of experience in international development consulting.
Denitza Bojinova has also contributed to the work of the London-based Federal Trust for Education and Research reviewing issues related to the enlargement of the EU and NATO. Ph.D. Candidate in Political Science at the University of Houston, USA. Master’s Degree in International Relations from Huron University USA in London, United Kingdom. Minors in Comparative Politics and Research Methods. Author of academic research on electoral processes, political parties, institutional development, local governance and the political representation of different demographic groups, including gender studies. Fluent in English, Spanish and French. Extensive experience in cross-cultural communications and international networking.
•Antonina Kostova – Co-founder and Senior Consultant, EU Structural Funds and European Territorial Cooperation
Antonina Kostova is a Senior Advisor for EU-funded assistance in South-Eastern Europe. She has extensive experience with grant writing and project management under the EU pre-accession programmes, the Structural Funds, the Cohesion Fund, the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013, and the current grant schemes in Bulgaria under the new programing period until 2020.
She has more over 20 years of managerial experience in the transport and telecommunications sectors, including direct involvement in the investment programs for the restructuring of the Bulgarian State Railways and telecommunications; the contract negotiations and financial closure between Bulgaria and the European Investment Bank for the construction of a Joint Regional Centre for Air Traffic Control and the modernisation of Sofia Airport; and, the structural programs SAL and FESAL of the World Bank for the restructuring of the Bulgarian economy.
At present, Antonina Kostova serves as the Deputy Chairperson of the International Association for Transport Infrastructure, Information and Nano Technologies. She holds a Master’s Degree in Industrial Economics and Management from the University of National and World Economy, Bulgaria and has additional qualifications in statistical modelling, financial and bank management in the international business, and development and implementation of EU-funded projects. Uses English and Russian.