Minister Ivan Ivanov: Maximum mobilisation by municipalities is needed for the implementation of projects under the Regions in Growth Programme 2021-2027.

Maximum mobilisation is needed in the work of municipalities for the implementation of projects submitted for funding under the 2021-2027 Development of Regions Programme (RDP). This was demanded by the Minister of Regional Development and Public Works Ivan Ivanov before mayors and representatives of the largest Bulgarian municipalities, which are beneficiaries of the procedure ‘Support for integrated urban development in the 10 urban municipalities – main growth centres’ at a working meeting today. It was also attended by the Deputy Minister of Regional Development and Public Works and Head of the Managing Authority of the Programme, Yura Vitanova, and Asya Stankova, Director-General of the Directorate-General for Strategic Planning and Regional Development Programmes.

Minister Ivanov noted that the program is among the most significant for the development and modernization of the regions in the country, and the projects contribute extremely much to the change of the standard of living of the population. "At the current stage of programme implementation, we report some delays in projects compared to the timelines set out in the schedules, which entails some risk of losing funds. We must not allow ourselves to lose European grants. Therefore, my appeal is to launch the public procurement for the selection of contractors as quickly as possible,” said Minister Ivanov. He noted that these are large-scale projects related to heavy tendering procedures and deadlines and reminded that public procurement can also be conditional.

The Regional Minister assured that within a month all administrative contracts will be signed for the submitted over 50 projects by these municipalities under the procedure, and the local authorities, following the requirements, can also submit applications for advance payments. "We must make every effort to successfully implement the programme. The municipalities have full cooperation from the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works, including in the dialogue with the other administrations on which the implementation of the projects depends, "said Minister Ivanov.

Together with the representatives of the local authorities, the regional minister discussed a number of administrative and technical issues, and clarifications were given on existing cases.