Trends and twists in the flow of talents from and to Bulgaria

Brain drain is often cited as one of the main problems of the Bulgaria labor market. However, data from the latest Manpower Bulgaria research "Assessment of the Business Climate for Investments" is showing a different picture - only 12% of the surveyed investors say they are unable to meet their human capital needs.

Furthermore, among the main advantages of our country is the ability to attract employees from other European countries - a practice common among companies in well-positioned industries such as Information Technology and Business Process Outsourcing.

With the globalization of markets and increasing mobility, higher levels of job mobility are a trend that is being observed worldwide. We asked Hristo Boyadzhiev, founder of Tuk-Tam, a global community of capable, motivated and initiative people who believe in Bulgaria, and Mila Topalova, member of the organization's board and partnership specialist, about the specifics of the flow of talents to and from Bulgaria.

What is your experience with Bulgarians going to work abroad and with those returning back?

Mila Topalova: First of all, personal - 10 years ago I myself went abroad, initially to get a bachelor's degree and then for work. Seven years later I returned to Bulgaria and currently I continue my professional development here. In this sense, I am familiar with the challenges that a person faces and the opportunities that open up when going abroad and coming back. Secondly, Tuk-Tam is an organization that is actively working for 13 years through its various projects with both Bulgarians who go abroad and those who return here. Over the years, more than 23,000 have visited our events, and over 300,000 draw experience and knowledge from the information on our sites, where we reach, help and engage these people in meaningful initiatives throughout the year.

Hristo Boyadzhiev: It is time to stop dividing Bulgarians into leaving and returning, people here and people there. Things are connected (with a dash, at least) and for us, it is not so important where someone currently lives, but how they contribute to our society. We help everyone feel part of a global community and stay informed and engaged, no matter where in the world they are. We are glad we have the opportunity to help thousands and counting.

You put the focus on a global community of Bulgarian professionals, regardless of their current geographical location. Working since 2008 in this direction, how do you think the experience gained from abroad can be best applied by companies operating on the Bulgarian market?

Hristo Boyadzhiev: I would start with a change of the "this cannot happen here" attitude. Of course, there must be an adaptation of strategies, but as long as we remain closed for trying new approaches and improving iteratively, we will not develop at the right pace. Going on, there are many opportunities - creating exchange programs, allocating budgets (individual and sectoral) for R&D, investing in human development, seeking ideas from all levels in organizations.
In the end, everyone wins if we develop the market.

Mila Topalova: And also, with the identification and testing of the practices that could potentially be applied here. Not everything working abroad is applicable and fit for the Bulgarian market. But the knowledge exchange is important in order to identify working mechanisms.

From your point of view, how should we build a working channel for knowledge exchange between foreign and Bulgarian organizations in order to stimulate the flow of good practices from and to our country?

Hristo Boyadzhiev: In order for the exchange to work well, there must be a trusted, recognizable, easy to use, consistent with the realities (employment of some and the specific needs of others) pathway for it. And it must bring together the non-governmental sector, business, government, and institutions. We are working hard to turn our new platform tuk-tam.bg into just that. It will take time, but we are moving steadily in this direction.

Mila Topalova: A specific Tuk-Tam project in this direction is our Buddy program – our version of informal mentoring, in which everyone can connect with Bulgarians around the world to exchange professional experience and advice. Imagine in 3-4 years, with the growth of the project, tens of thousands of Bulgarians with international experience will be engaged in helping and sharing knowledge and experience from various foreign and Bulgarian organizations.

Some share the opinion that the potential outflow of talents actually brings positives for people who choose Bulgaria for their professional development. Would you agree with such a statement?

Mila Topalova: I believe that on a strictly individual and personal level, the outflow of talent in rare cases can lead to a profitable opportunity for career development. However, looking at the overall picture and the ecosystem, the so-called “brain drain” leads mostly to losses in expertise and professionalism, reduced opportunities for entry of more international companies, and, accordingly, fewer options for professional realization.
Businesses need talented and experienced people to grow sustainably.

Hristo Boyadzhiev: I also see it as a negative indicator for the business environment. Incredible opportunities attract amazing people and companies. Our goal must be to create preconditions and remove barriers in the pursuit of a clear vision for our development. Bulgaria has all the prerequisites, after some key reforms, to become a regional or even European hub of innovation and technology. Why not?

And finally, would you say that there is a reversal in the tendency and more professionals come to Bulgaria than leave it in recent years?

Mila Topalova: I think currently, as Hristo mentioned earlier, the boundaries between professionals here and there are increasingly blurred. This is intensifying during the pandemic - many professionals have returned to work from Bulgaria - some of them will probably move back here permanently, and some will leave again - we are increasingly globally connected, and where you are at the moment tends to not be a final destination.

Tuk-Tam is a global community of capable, motivated and active people who make Bulgaria a better place, from here and there, together.