INTERREG VI-A IPA Bulgaria - North Macedonia 2021-2027 - Eligible Programme area

The programme area covers 2 regions from the Bulgarian side - Blagoevgrad and Kyustendil and 3 regions from the Republic of North Macedonia - North-East, East and South-East. The border between the two countries is 165 km long with three functioning border checkpoints. 948,564 people live in the area of ​​cross-border cooperation. It features 5 medium-sized cities: Blagoevgrad and Kyustendil from the Bulgarian side and Kumanovo, Shtip and Strumica from the Republic of North Macedonia. The border region is assessed as having a rich cultural and natural heritage and a high degree of environmental sensitivity to climate change.