Nearly BGN 6.7 billion will be invested by 2027 for the development of the regions

Nearly BGN 6.7 billion is the draft budget of the Regional Development Programme 2021-2027, which will be managed by the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works. This became clear during a public discussion of the draft program. The event, which took place online, was attended by more than 260 people.

The programme will have three main priority axes, supporting measures in 50 urban municipalities. Unlike the previous two operational programmes for regional development, which were sector-specific and targeted at specific sectors and beneficiaries, the new instrument is expected to support a wider range of projects from different sectors. They will be implemented in partnership, and the beneficiaries will be a wide range of stakeholders - state bodies, district administrations and local authorities, representatives of civil society and NGOs, employers' organisations, trade unions, foundations, business, scientific and academic community, associations of homeowners, etc.

Regional Development Councils will play a key role in selecting proposals to support regional development in order to give priority to projects that best meet the needs of a given area. Projects in support of the economy will be given more weight. The programme was developed in order to achieve balanced territorial development between the regions, overcoming demographic problems and depopulation of territories in the country.

The priority axis for integrated urban development has a draft budget of BGN 1.131 billion. It provides support for the ten largest urban municipalities as centers of growth. In order to achieve better results, the municipalities have been grouped by planning regions, and each cluster will have a common budget. For example, for the North-West region these are the municipalities of Vidin and Pleven. In this way, the aim is to strengthen the region as a whole, rather than individual cities and municipalities, by encouraging cooperation between stakeholders in the two municipalities. This will prepare projects that solve the same problems for both municipalities, and will achieve a synergistic effect compared to an approach where smaller projects are implemented.

The second priority of the program is integrated territorial development of the level 2 planning regions, with a budget of just over BGN 2.5 billion. 40 urban municipalities will have access to it.

Both axes will fund infrastructure projects in the fields of health, education, social activities, culture, sports, tourism and cultural heritage, housing, energy efficiency and renovation of residential and public buildings, improving urban mobility, repairing road infrastructure and safety and development of functional connections. Measures for green urban infrastructure and security in public spaces, promotion of economic activity, etc. will also be supported.

The third priority of the program is "Just Energy Transition", which is programmed under the Just Transition Fund, provided that the territorial plans developed for its implementation are approved as part of the RDP 2021 2027. The draft budget of the priority is 3.1 billion. The main goal is to provide support for the regions and sectors most affected by the transition to climate neutrality. Currently, the measure is aimed at the districts of Stara Zagora, Kyustendil and Pernik, but negotiations are underway to include more districts. The priority axis will fund a wide range of activities.

For the first time in Bulgaria, the PRD 2021-2027 will be implemented through the implementation of instruments for integrated territorial development, it became clear at the meeting. The implementation envisages achieving a better investment focus, more effective and efficient interventions, enhanced cross- sectoral dialogue and the implementation of successful partnerships between different stakeholders at the local level. The instrument includes the implementation of integrated projects in which funding is eligible, in addition to the PRD, and other European programmes that will be implemented by our country, and others.

All projects that will be implemented must be in accordance with the plans for integrated development of municipalities. According to NAMRB, to date 92 local administrations have developed and adopted such plans for the new period, and in the coming weeks and months a large number of municipalities are expected to complete their work.