More than €17 million will be invested to improve education in the border region between Bulgaria and Romania

Joint projects in the field of education with a total value of over EUR 17 million were approved for funding under the Interreg Romania-Bulgaria 2021-2027 Joint Cross-Border Cooperation Programme. This took place within the framework of the 4th Monitoring Committee meeting of the Programme, which took place in Ruse. It was attended by representatives of the National Programme Authority – the Territorial Cooperation Management Directorate of the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works, the Programme Information Unit in Ruse, representatives of the local and central authorities on both sides of the border, etc.

The members of the Committee approved 21 new projects under Priority 3: "Educated Region" to improve equal access to inclusive and quality services in education, training and lifelong learning, through the development of accessible infrastructure. The projects were submitted under the third call, which closed on 9 September 2024. Among the approved projects on the Bulgarian side are those involving the University of Ruse ‘Angel Kanchev’, the Vocational School of Agriculture – Sitovo, the Medical University – Pleven, the University Multiprofile Hospital for Active Treatment ‘Dr. Georgi Stranski’ EAD – Pleven, the municipalities of Berkovitsa, Vratsa, Belogradchik, Vidin, Byala, Vetovo, Belene, Lyaskovets, Montana, the European Institute for Cultural Tourism – Dobrich, the Ruse Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Academy of Economics ‘D. A. Tsenov’, the University of Veliko Tarnovo ‘St. St. Cyril and Methodius’, etc.

The meeting also approved the Guidelines for applications under the targeted call for operations of strategic importance (OSI) aimed at improving navigation on the Danube and rail connectivity, with pre-identified beneficiaries on the Bulgarian side – the Danube Exploration and Maintenance Executive Agency, the Bulgarian Ports Infrastructure Company and the Maritime Administration Executive Agency. A series of key decisions aimed at promoting cooperation between Romania and Bulgaria and the sustainable development of the cross-border region were discussed and adopted.

During the meeting, an information event was held for beneficiaries of projects that are currently being implemented. Participants received information on project implementation, activity planning, types of costs, implementation of indicators, activity reporting and reimbursement, and communication skills.