Ivailo Kalfin

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Ivailo Kalfin

Executive Director, Eurofound

Ivailo Kalfin joined Eurofound as Executive Director on 1 June 2021. Mr Kalfin’s expertise covers a range of areas, from the dynamics of the labour market and social policy to global political trends, the EU and budget, as well as digital transformation. He has outlined five main priorities for his role at Eurofound: supporting the mainstreaming of Europe's green and digital transitions with the economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic; complementing the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan with evidence-based research; increased cooperation with international organisations and greater outreach to European Neighbourhood Policy countries; enhancing and expanding the capacity of social partners within the remit of the Agency; raising Eurofound's profile among key stakeholders.

Before taking up the post, he was since 2019 Director of the Economics and International Relations Institute in Sofia, focusing on research related to migration, labour market inclusion and the need for an updated social contract. Prior to this, he served on two occasions as Bulgaria’s Deputy Prime Minister (2005–2009 and 2014–2016), as well as Minister of Foreign Affairs (2005–2009) and Minister of Labour and Social Policy (2014–2016). Between 2009 and 2014, he was Member of the European Parliament, Vice Chair of the Committee on Budgets and rapporteur for the Multiannual Financial Framework 2014–2020. From 2014 to 2017, he was a member of the Monti Group – the High Level Group on Own Resources. For the next two years, he served as Special Adviser to the EU Commissioner on Budget and Human Resources. Mr Kalfin was elected as a member of the Bulgarian parliament on four occasions. 

In his earlier career, he served as a member of the Advisory Board of the Bulgarian National Bank and as Economic Policy Secretary to the President of Bulgaria and was a lecturer in various universities. He also has experience of the business sector. Mr Kalfin holds MSc degrees in International Economic Relations and International Banking, acquired respectively at the UNWE in Sofia and Loughborough University, UK. He has an honorary doctorate from Loughborough University and the University of Ruse, Bulgaria. 

Email: Sylvaine Recorbet, PA to Executive Director

Twitter: @IvailoKalfin

CV and Declaration of interest