A Few Words from the Chair of the LOC 

Dear Colleagues,

It is my great honor to welcome you to the 65th ERSA Congress in Sofia, under the theme “Global Challenges and Regional Responses in a Transition Era.” This slogan reflects both the controversy and the opportunities of our time, and Sofia is the right place to host this debate. As a vibrant European capital, it embodies the encounter of tradition and transformation, combining centuries of cultural depth with an open horizon for innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable growth.

Bulgaria and Eastern Europe stand at the forefront of an evolving regional landscape. Once perceived as the periphery, this part of Europe is now emerging as a laboratory for resilience, adaptation, and creativity. By bringing the ERSA community here, we acknowledge not only the scientific importance of our discussions, but also the vital role that the East of Europe will play in shaping the future of integration, cohesion, and balanced development.

In these complex times, peace and international order remain indispensable conditions for progress. Our scholarly work must continue to defend them, for they are the foundation of cooperation and trust across borders. Yet, we also recognize that humanity stands on the threshold of a new era—driven by artificial intelligence, machine learning, and the labor revolution they herald. These transformations will challenge institutions, economies, and societies, but they also open extraordinary possibilities for regional science to guide equitable, sustainable, and humane transitions.

The ERSA community has always been a place where rigorous scholars meet responsibility for the future. I am convinced that in Sofia we will once again rise to this task—advancing science, strengthening dialogue, and reaffirming our shared mission: to generate knowledge that not only explains the world, but helps to improve it.I warmly invite you to Sofia in 2026 and look forward to welcoming you to Bulgaria.Assoc.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kosyo Stoychev, PhD

Bulgarian Regional Science Association Chair, ERSA Section 

Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”

Head of the Local Organizing Committee