Prof. Dr. Simeon Ananiev 
Cluster Manager & Chairman

Prof. Ananiev graduated from the Technical University in Sofia, majoring in “Railway Transport Operation”. He holds are a number of specializations and postgraduate qualifications, incl. Master’s degree in economics from the transport management from the VTU “Todor Kableshkov” university and a doctorate at the University of National and World Economy.

He started working as a technologist in the Sofia Railway Region and went through various professional and managerial levels in the industry. He has been teaching at VTU “Todor Kableshkov” and until 2011 was the Executive Director of the Executive Agency “Railway Administration” at the Ministry of Transport. Since January 2012 he holds the title of associate professor and since 2018 he became a professor.

Main areas of expertise include integrated transport systems and infrastructure, transport logistics and intermodal transport.

Martin Yanev Eng.
Cluster Lead & Vice Chairman

Graduated from Angel Kanchev University, majoring in Industrial Management. He studied Transport Management and Logistics at VTU “Todor Kableshkov”.

With nearly 13 years of experience in various fields of transport and logistics, Eng. Yanev has a number of international certificates in the field. Winner of numerous international awards in logistics, incl. from CorporateLiveWire, as well as from Business Elites with the logistics prize of the year 2020/2021 for Eastern Europe. Particularly active enthusiast in the field of combined and railway transport and the modernization of the Bulgarian railway.

Lyudmil Ivanov Ph.D
ECCP Responsible Person

Doctor of “Economics of Transport” – University of National and World Economy. His topic of dissertation was „Improving the investment policy in railway infrastructure in terms of EU integration“. 

He worked for the Sofia Municipality, the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Forum for Balkan Transport and Infrastructure, UNESCO and other institutions.

Dr. Ivanov is the chairman of the Association of Railway Signaling, Automation, Communication and Industry.

Anna Lalkovska
Project manager senior expert

Founder of the non-profit organization Balkan Agency for Sustainable Development (BASD). Lecturer and leader of numerious projects with international participation.

She has worked for many years as a journalist in newspapers and magazines, as well as a lecturer at Varna Free University. Since 2008 she has worked as a consultant and expert on European projects. Founder of the Balkan Agency for Sustainable Development (BASD). Lecturer in numerous trainings, including proposal writing and project management; manager of a number of European projects. Author of studies for the European Commission on issues related to Bulgaria’s EU integration.

Elenа Anаnieva 
Internationalisation Responsible

Bachelor’s degree from the Technical University – Sofia, major Computer Systems and Technologies. Master of Transport and Logistics. PhD student at the University of National and World Economy (UNWE). Work experience in various international organizations, including the Council of Europe, the European Commission, the European Parliament and NATO.

Assoc. Prof. Orlin Kolev
Financial Manager

He has completed master’s degrees in Technology and Organization of Railway Transport and Transport Economics at VTU Todor Kableshkov, also completed master’s degree in law at the University of Veliko Tarnovo. He has additionally acquired a postgraduate qualification in “Stock Exchange and Intermediation” at the University of National and World Economy. In 2017 Orlin Kolev defended his dissertation and obtained a PhD in Economics. In 2020 acquired the academic position of associate professor at VTU Todor Kableshkov.

His working career started in ProSoft and Orel – Leasing AD. Subsequently, for over 15 years he managed a non-bank financial institution. Since 2010 he is a lecturer at the Department of Transport Economics and Accounting at VTU Todor Kableshkov. For more than 20 years he has been a legal expert in financial and commercial law at the Sofia City Court, Sofia District Court and others.

eng. Mario Ninov

chief expert Railway and combined transport

He has many years of experience in the organization of the activity and management of the overall operational activity related to transport management, technology and organization of transport, management of station activities; cost optimization, staffing, procurement, maintenance and property management of railway infrastructure.

Prepares expert opinions, materials, projects of normative acts and other related to transport and transport processes, the labor market, the green transition, the development of human resources, labor and service relations and related payments, social and health insurance, social integration and etc. Preparation of strategies, analyzes and programs, giving consultations on the above activities

He has significant experience in the development, management and implementation of projects financed by the Erasmus+, NAPDP, OPHRD programs as well as financed by the EC, both at the expert level and at the project management level.

Ivan Petkov, Phd

an expert on economic matters

lecturer expert in macroeconomics and business planning.

With research interests in the field of transportation and the financial system. With analysis of digital currencies and corporate finance. Dr. Petkov is the author of a number of scientific works in the field of finance, economics and supply chains, participant in scientific forums, financial analyst in international banking.

eng. Boyko Mitov

Chief Secretary of the cluster

With extensive knowledge and professional experience in the field of international economic relations, transport and logistics and construction, Eng. Mitov graduated from the Higher Institute of Civil Engineering in Sofia.

For many years he held senior positions in diplomatic and trade-economic missions. He held key positions in the administration of the Republic of Bulgaria. He developed activities in the field of international transport and forwarding.

eng. Tsvetan Yanakiev

Business development expert, head of “Green Transport Cluster” – Plovdiv, road transport and warehousing

Graduated with master degree and now studying Economic of transport in Higher School of Transport “ Todor Kableshkov” for doctor degree.

With over 13 years of professional experience in transport, logistics and supply chain management. Engineer Yanakiev have publications in many international magazines with subject transport, logistic ana supply chain. Also have many years of experience in management of European projects.

Andrian Nedelchev

economist, head of “Green Transport Cluster” in Varna

Graduated with honors majoring in “Marine Navigation” at the Maritime High School in Varna, called “St. Nicholas the Wonderworker”,he achieves high academic

results. Then, in 2011, he successfully obtained a bachelor’s degree in the field of navigation from the Naval School “Nikola Y. Vaptsarov” in Varna. In 2019, Andrian confirmed his knowledge in the field of economics by completing a master’s degree in “Global Trade Business” at the University of Economics – Varna. He continues his academic development as a doctoral student at UNSS, studying entrepreneurship. Having gained extensive professional experience as a naval officer for more than a decade, Andrian successfully integrated his maritime skills with economic aspirations. He is currently working as a port specialist at the “Varna-Zapad” terminal, where he has been actively working for the past three years. As a municipal councilor in Beloslav from 2019 to 2023, he contributes to the development of local infrastructure and supports initiatives related to the blue economy. Andrian plays a key role in the recovery processes of “Ferry Complex – Varna”, actively seeking funding to maintain the economic sustainability of the complex