Four territorial cooperation programmes are approved

Our country will have access to over 266 million euros for joint projects with 14 countries. 80% of the funds are provided by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). This is foreseen in the draft Transnational Cooperation Programme Danube Region (Danube 2021-2027) approved by the government.

The territorial scope of the programme is identical to that of the European Union Strategy for the Danube. It covers the Level 2 regions of 9 EU Member States: Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Germany (federal states of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg), Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia. It also covers 3 EU candidate countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro, as well as the territory of the Republic of Moldova and four regions of Ukraine (Zakarpattia, Ivano-Frankivsk, Odessa and Chernivtsi regions).

The programme will fund joint projects under four priorities: ‘A More Competitive and Innovative Danube Region’, ‘A Greener and Low Carbon Danube Region’, ‘A More Social Danube Region’ and ‘Better Governance for Cooperation in the Danube Region’.

Beneficiaries can be national, regional and local authorities and institutions, NGOs, etc.

Investments can be in the areas of research and innovation, environmental protection, improved governance and social issues that are related to challenges common to the Danube region such as migration, economic disparities between regions, climate change, etc.

At today’s meeting, the Council of Ministers approved the draft Cross-border Cooperation Programme Interreg VI-A Greece-Bulgaria 2021-2027. The total budget amounts to 83.95 million euros. Of this, 67 million is provided by the ERDF.

The programme will fund joint projects under three priorities: ‘A more sustainable and greener cross-border region’, ‘A more accessible cross-border region’, ‘A more inclusive cross-border region’. Its programme area covers four Bulgarian regions - Blagoevgrad, Smolyan, Haskovo and Kardzhali. On the Greek side there are seven regions: Evros, Xanthi, Rhodope, Drama, Kavala, Thessaloniki and Serres. Beneficiaries can be national, regional and local authorities, universities, research centres, associations, NGOs, civic associations and networks, etc.

The main objective of the programme is to ensure the sustainable and innovative growth of the regions in line with the new EU cohesion policy for the period 2021-2027. The objectives set are in line with the European vision for sustainable development in regional policy, including the Territorial Agenda 2030, the European Green Pact, etc.

The Government also approved the content of the Cross-border Cooperation Programme “Interreg VI-A IPA Bulgaria - Turkey 2021-2027” and the commitments of our country as a participating country in it.

Its total budget is €34 million. Of this, €29 million, 85% of its total resources, are provided by the European Regional Development Fund and the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance III, and €5 million is the national co-financing from Bulgaria and Turkey. Beneficiaries will be micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, NGOs, municipalities and regional structures of the central administration, academic, scientific and social institutions.

Under the programme, small and medium-sized businesses in border regions will have access to grants to improve energy efficiency, transition to a circular economy and reduce emissions. Priorities also include local community projects related to improving socio-economic development, culture, tourism and services of general interest. Earmarked funds will also be invested in a strategic project aimed at enhancing the capacity of border authorities to prevent illegal migration.

As in previous periods, the new programme will apply in the Burgas, Yambol and Haskovo districts and in the Turkish provinces of Edirne and Kırklareli.

At today’s meeting, the government also approved the draft Interregional Cooperation Programme INTERREG EUROPE 2021-2027. This is the final step before its submission to the European Commission for approval. The programme has a total budget of €475 million. 80% of the funds come from the European Regional Development Fund, with the rest provided by the countries as national co-financing. Compared to the 2014-2020 programming period, the budget has been increased by around €50 million.

The programmes for cross-border cooperation with Greece and Turkey are to be sent to the European Commission for approval.

The INTERREG EUROPE 2021-2027 programme covers all 27 Member States as well as Norway and Switzerland as partner countries. Its aim is to increase the effectiveness of regional development policies, including investment programmes for jobs and employment, by promoting the exchange of experience and the application of innovative approaches to regional policy. Activities will be funded to enhance the institutional capacity of public authorities and stakeholders for more effective regional development policies.

Public and public-law national, regional and local authorities, as well as other bodies responsible for defining and implementing regional development policies, may participate in funding projects. Private non-profit organisations may also be beneficiaries under certain conditions. Small and medium-sized enterprises are an important target group in the context of several of the specific themes supported and, where appropriate, are encouraged to participate in experience-sharing activities, although they may not receive direct funding from the programme.

The Directorate for Territorial Cooperation Management of the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works will act as the National Authority for the programme.

In order to ensure continuity and maintain the interest of the Bulgarian beneficiaries in the programme, the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works proposes to maintain the national co-financing for joint projects at 15% of the total budget of the respective Bulgarian partner for the period 2021-2027. For this purpose just over BGN 2.7 million will be made available until 2027.