Representatives from seven European countries – including Bulgaria, Poland, Serbia, North Macedonia, France, Belgium, and Germany, launched a large-scale joint project to improve industrial relations in the metallurgical sector.

The SoDi project sets an ambitious goal to strengthen the capacity of social partners and promote effective dialogue at both national and European levels. The main focus is on mapping the challenges and opportunities for social dialogue in the implementation of the European Industrial Deal.

Experts from the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry developed a specialized methodology for conducting a large-scale study that will cover several key components. The methodology includes four interconnected research approaches that will provide a comprehensive analysis of the current situation.

The first component involves a quantitative study to establish the current state of capacity and mechanisms for social dialogue. In parallel, online focus group meetings will be organized to help provide an in-depth qualitative understanding of the initial results.

In-depth interviews with representatives of employers and employees are an extremely important element, which will allow a detailed exploration of specific challenges and perspectives in the sector. Additionally, a thorough review of existing documentation will be conducted to gather secondary data.

The ultimate goal of the study is to identify leading trends, key challenges, and best practices in the field of social dialogue. The collected data will be precisely analyzed and synthesized into national reports, which will subsequently be summarized by the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Special emphasis in the project is placed on ensuring quality jobs in the industry and guaranteeing safe working conditions. Through the large-scale study, partners aim to create practical mechanisms for improving the work environment in the metallurgical sector.

The SoDi project participants expect the results to serve as a solid basis for future strategic decisions and improvement of social dialogue between employers and employees at the European level.

The Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry will continue to inform the public about the project's progress and upcoming activities in the coming months.