Minister Ivan Shishkov: Nearly 2.3 billion BGN from the Operational Programme “Regions in Growth” have been invested in the renewal of Bulgarian regions

543 projects funded under the Operational Programme “Regions in Growth” 2014-2020 have been successfully completed to date, with funds verified by the European Commission. This means that 70% of all projects funded in the past programming period of the programme have been fully completed.

This was announced by the Minister of Regional Development and Public Works architect Ivan Shishkov, who opened the Annual Information Event of the Operational Programme “Regions in Growth” 2014-2020, managed by the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works.

The Minister reported that the OPRG, which is in the final stages of its implementation, is being implemented at a very good pace. So far, more than BGN 2,293 billion or 73% of the programme’s budget of more than BGN 3 billion has been disbursed. The certified funds submitted to the EC and approved by it as eligible amount to BGN 1.893 billion or 60% of the budget. In the framework of OPRG 2014-2020, 765 financial assistance contracts have been concluded and 222 are under implementation.

To date, 85 educational infrastructure projects and 244 energy efficiency projects in residential and administrative buildings have been implemented. The number of completed projects for the renovation and modernisation of the urban environment in the major municipalities of the country is 48, and 70 contracts for supporting the process of deinstitutionalisation of children and adults. For the renovation and modernisation of road infrastructure, 27 contracts were finalised.

Minister Shishkov informed that last week the Development of Regions Programme 2021-2027 was officially approved by the European Commission. It foresees investments of over BGN 3.6 billion for the development of the Bulgarian regions. “The programmes contribute immensely to the real transformation of settlements. I am glad that we are working extremely well in partnership with municipalities, state institutions, the World Bank, universities, NGOs, businesses and citizens and the results are good,” architect Shishkov said. He stressed that in the 2021-2027 programming period the partnership approach will continue, seeking even greater interaction.

The OPRG 2014-2020 annual information event was held in the renovated “New Campus” of the National Academy of Arts, which is funded by the programme. Also present were the Deputy Minister of Regional Development and Public Works Desislava Georgieva and the Rector Professor Georgi Yankov.

“For us as the Managing Authority of one of the largest infrastructure programmes in Bulgaria - Operational Programme “Regions in Growth” 2014-2020, this year was extremely important. We managed to make sure that “not a single euro was lost” and the risk of losing funds was overcome. In the last few months we have caught up the pace and restored confidence in our beneficiaries to continue the successful implementation and completion of their projects despite the crisis and all the global economic and socio-political problems”, underlined Deputy Minister Desislava Georgieva. She added that work has also started on the new Regional Development Programme 2021-2027. “There is a great expectation for it because the previous two years were zero for EU funds. Already in the first half of 2023, measures for integrated investments will start,” she said.

Speaking to journalists, deputy minister Georgieva commented that annexes are already being signed for indexation of 15% of the construction contracts under OPRG 2014-2020. Payments have already been made by the beneficiaries to the companies with the increased prices. “We expect construction to return to normal pace this way,” Georgieva said. According to her, among the projects at risk under the programme are those for the renovation of Sofia city centre and the project for the delivery of a medical helicopter to the Ministry of Health. “We are in constant coordination with our colleagues and we are also holding meetings. We are reporting full mobilisation, so we are working hard with all capacity to overcome the difficulties,” the deputy regional minister said.

During the event, Deputy Minister Desislava Georgieva and Angelina Boneva-Deputy Director General of the Directorate General “Strategic Planning and Regional Development Programmes” awarded the winners of the photo contest of the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works on the theme “OPRG renews and inspires - show us the best sites from your city”.

More than 130 photos, sent by participants from the cities of Sofia, Varna, Gabrovo, Gorna Oryahovitsa, Ruse, Razgrad, Zavet, Kubrat and others, competed in the contest. The first prize went to Krasimir Koev for his presentation of the renovated OPRG park in the Sea Garden of Varna. Two photographers from Gabrovo, Kalin Mitev and Yaroslav Chepunroy, were placed second with their photos of renovated sites under the European programme in the city. Third place went to Ivet Babulkova from the town of Gorna Oryahovitsa, who showed the renovated parks in the town in a series of photos.

Incentives were also awarded to a group of students from Razgrad for their photos of the renovated OPRG National Vocational Technical School “Sándor Petőfi”, headed by Ms Mariana Peneva - Dimitrova, and to Ms Nevena Karadimova, again from Razgrad, for her photo of the renovated kindergarten “Zornitsa”. Special mentions were also given to Ralitsa Georgieva from Ruse, who presented the improvement of the urban environment and the European look of the city, and Ruslana Popsavova from Troyan.