Territorial Cooperation Management Directorate

Director: Milen Obretenov 
E-mail: Mobretenov@mrrb.government.bg

INTERREG IPA Cross-border Cooperation Programmes Department
Head of Unit: Stanka Dimitrova 

First level control unit for CBC programmes
Manager: Viktor Stoyanov 

INTERREG Programs Department

Legislation and Irregularities Unit
Head of Unit: Maria Doseva  

Financial Management and Control Department
Head of Unit: Krasimira Stoyanova 

Joint Secretariat INTERREG VI-A IPA Bulgaria-North Macedonia Programme 2021-2027
Head of Secretariat: Tony Jakimowski 

Joint Secretariat INTERREG VI-A IPA Programme Bulgaria - Serbia 2021-2027 

Joint Secretariat INTERREG VI-A IPA Programme Bulgaria - Turkey 2021-2027
Head of Secretariat: Nalyan Gügen

The Directorate for Territorial Cooperation Management shall implement:

The functions of Managing Authority of the IPA Cross-border Programmes 2007-2013 (between Bulgaria and Macedonia, Bulgaria and Serbia, and Bulgaria and Turkey);

The functions of the Managing Authority of the IPA Cross-border Programmes 2014-2020 (between Bulgaria and Macedonia, Bulgaria and Serbia, and Bulgaria and Turkey);

The functions of Managing Authority of the IPA Cross-border Programmes 2021-2027 (between Bulgaria and North Macedonia, Bulgaria and Serbia, and Bulgaria and Turkey);

The functions of the National Authority for Cross-Border Cooperation Programmes at the Internal Borders of the EU 2007-2013 (between Romania and Bulgaria and Greece and Bulgaria);

The functions of the National Authority for Cross-Border Cooperation Programmes at the Internal Borders of the EU 2014-2020 (between Romania and Bulgaria and Greece and Bulgaria);

The functions of the National Authority for Cross-Border Cooperation Programmes at the Internal Borders of the EU 2021-2027 (between Romania and Bulgaria, and Greece and Bulgaria);

The functions of the National Authority and Information Unit under the Black Sea Cross-Border Cooperation Joint Operational Programme 2007-2013;

The functions of the National Authority and Information Unit under the Black Sea Cross-Border Cooperation Joint Operational Programme 2014-2020;

The functions of the National Authority and Information Unit under the Joint Operational Programme for Cross-Border Cooperation NEXT Black Sea Basin 2021-2027;

The functions of the National Authority and National Contact Point under Operational Programme for Transnational Cooperation in South East Europe, Operational Programme for Interregional Cooperation INTERREG IVC, Operational Programme INTERACT 2007-2013 - Good Governance for Territorial Cooperation Programmes, ESPON 2013 - European Monitoring Network for Territorial Development and Cohesion, and URBACT - Urban Development Network;

The functions of the National Authority and National Contact Point under the Danube Programme and the Balkan-Mediterranean Programme, the INTERREG EUROPE Programme, the INTERACT III Programme, ESPON 2020 and URBACT III;

The functions of the National Authority and National Contact Point for the Danube Region 2021-2027, INTERREG VI-B Euro-Mediterranean Basin (EURO MED) 2021-2027, INTERREG VI-C Europe 2021-2027, INTERACT IV, ESPON 2030 and INTERREG VI-C URBACT IV 2021-2027;

Ensuring the powers of the Minister under the National Rules on European Groupings of Territorial Cooperation (EGTC);

The functions of the Executive Agency under the PHARE, CBC and ESC Programme within the meaning of the Memorandum of Understanding on the Establishment of a National Fund between the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria and the European Commission.

Directorate for Territorial Cooperation Management:

Provides the EC with statistical and financial data on the management, monitoring and evaluation of the programmes;

Prepare and update the necessary documents related to the administration of the programmes;

Participates in the Joint Committees/bodies for the preparation, amendment and implementation of the programmes;

Establish joint secretariats and/or information points for territorial cooperation programmes and coordinate their activities;

Ensures the implementation of programmes and projects in accordance with EU regulations;

Prepares or commissions the necessary procurement documentation, conducts procurement procedures, prepares and concludes contracts for the implementation of projects co-financed by the EU;

Responsible for proper administrative management, including monitoring, financial management, accounting, payment and archiving in accordance with EC requirements and national legislation;

Prepares or participates in the preparation of periodic evaluations and reports on the implementation of the programmes;

Prepares and coordinates bilateral and multilateral treaties, memoranda of understanding and agreements related to the management and implementation of territorial cooperation programmes and projects;

Implement measures to ensure information, publicity and transparency on the activities related to the management and implementation of the programmes;

Prepares and conducts the procedures for selection of evaluators and controllers from the Bulgarian side under the territorial cooperation programmes;

Implements the procedures for prevention, detection and reporting of irregularities and fraud by applying corrective measures in accordance with the requirements of the European Commission and national legislation;

Provides information services for territorial cooperation programmes;

Responsible for all activities related to the implementation of territorial cooperation programmes and the closure of the Phare Programme;

Carries out activities related to the European Groupings of Territorial Cooperation (EGTC) in accordance with the Rules on the Procedure for Keeping Registers with the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works of an EGTC with its seat in the Republic of Bulgaria and of Bulgarian legal entities that are members of an EGTC with its seat in another EU Member State.

The Directorate for Territorial Cooperation Management is the legal successor of all rights and obligations under the territorial cooperation programmes and the Phare programme.