Vratsa is a town, nestled in the north-western corner of Bulgaria. Sitting at the northern foothills of the Balkan Mountains, the city historically served as a trading post for those entering Bulgaria.

To help invigorate the local economy, the Municipality of Vratsa designated Vratsa as a digital hub for the surrounding region. As part of this plan, a technology centre was built, offering classes in IT and programming to equip its citizens with the necessary digital skills for today’s economy.

In a drive to become energy smart, Vratsa also took part in the European Commission’s Intelligent Energy Europe Program between 2015-2017. The project aimed to help citizens accurately monitor and manage their energy consumption. 

For Vratsa, the transition to a smart city is a key element in strengthening their economy, to improve the well-being and the quality of life of the local population. 

Check out the city’s full ICC journey

Read about the city’s progress during the Intelligent Cities Challenge (2020-22) through the city’s final deliverable here.