MRDPW discusses with small and medium-sized businesses in the coal regions of the country how to invest 110 million euros
MRDPW discusses with small and medium-sized businesses in the coal regions of the country how to invest 110 mi
By Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works
The Managing Authority of the Regional Development Programme 2021-2027 published a draft methodology under the measure for diversification and adaptation of small and medium-sized enterprises
The Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works under the Regional Development Programme 2021–2027 provides EUR 110 million to support small and medium-sized businesses in the country’s coal regions until 2029. For this purpose, the Managing Authority of the programme published for discussion a draft Methodology and selection criteria for the operation “Diversification and adaptation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to the economic transition – NEW” under Priority 4 “Just Transition”.
The measure aims at targeted support to small and medium-sized businesses in the regions most affected by the climate transition by supporting investments in economic activities from national and regional priority productive sectors. The aim is to enable the region and the population to cope with the social, employment, economic and environmental impacts. Eligible candidates are micro, small and medium-sized enterprises carrying out productive investments on the territory of the municipalities in the districts of Kyustendil, Pernik and Stara Zagora, as well as in the municipalities of Nova Zagora, Yambol, Simeonovgrad, Harmanli, Topolovgrad, Dimitrovgrad, Haskovo, Elhovo, Sliven and Tundzha.
The proposal is to support productive investment measures to increase employment and improve competitiveness, construction and installation activities, acquisition of durable and non-durable material activities, training, acquisition of machinery, etc. These activities should lead to a diversified local economy ensuring sustainable development and growth, creation of new jobs and conditions for producing high gross value added.
It is proposed that the de minimis aid per project should be EUR 50 000 and that the maximum amount of aid for micro and small enterprises should be up to EUR 300 000 and for medium-sized enterprises up to EUR 500 000.
The total funding of EUR 110 million is also regionalised. The Stara Zagora region, including the municipalities of Stara Zagora district and the municipalities of Nova Zagora, Yambol, Simeonovgrad, Harmanli, Topolovgrad, Haskovo, Dimitrovgrad, Elhovo, Sliven and Tundzha, is scheduled to receive just over EUR 86 million. EUR 13.6 million is earmarked for the region of Pernik and just over EUR 10.2 million for the region of Kyustendil.
The procedure is expected to be open for submission of project proposals by the end of 2026, and project applications will continue for up to 3 months after its official announcement.
In order to ensure maximum publicity and transparency, the Managing Authority provides an opportunity for interested parties to submit proposals and establish themselves by 12.10.2026 (inclusive) at the following e-mail address: oprd@mrrb.government.bg. The received proposals will be examined and analyzed in detail when finalizing the document, before its examination by the Monitoring Commission of the Regional Development Programme 2021-2027.
