Over 94% of the financial resource of OP "Growing Regions" has been contracted

A map of the regions will show the necessary infrastructure in them 

"Over 94% of the resources of the Operational Program" Growing Regions "2014-2020 (OPRD) have been agreed. The amount is BGN 2.96 billion. The actual disbursements are 67% or BGN 2.109 billion. ”The data was announced by Delyana Ivanova, Deputy Minister of Regional Development and Public Works and head of the Managing Authority of the program. Ivanova opened a working meeting to discuss the results of the impact assessment of OPRD 2014 - 2020 and preparation of the new program "Regional Development 2021 - 2027". The meeting took place in Botevgrad.

The results for the current implementation of the Operational Program "Growing Regions" 2014 - 2020 show that it is being implemented successfully. 761 grant agreements have been concluded . Of these, 293 are in the process of implementation, and the implementation of the remaining 468 has been completed, said the Deputy Minister. "The amount of agreed funds is a good result given the fact that the programming period ends on December 31, 2023. In the remaining less than 2 years until the end of the period, we will mobilize all those responsible for project implementation to fully achieve the objectives of the program", Ivanova commented.

The Deputy Minister noted that in the last year there have been serious challenges in the implementation of OPRD 2014 - 2020. Therefore, in the last two months, maximum efforts have been made to accelerate the pace of implementation and payment.

Delyana Ivanova noted that the focus of the Managing Authority is the rising prices of construction materials, looking for a compensation mechanism. "We are conducting a constructive dialogue with the branch organisations on the problem of the significant increase in the prices of construction materials. We are working hard in this direction to ensure the successful completion of all projects," she said.

Simultaneously with the implementation of the current regional program, efforts are focused on structuring and launching the new Program "Regional Development" for the period 2021-2027. Its preparation is at the final stage.

"We are launching the new programming period more experienced and motivated, especially with the assistance of our partners," the deputy minister commented.

A novelty in the operational program until 2027 will be the application of a regional approach and the implementation of integrated territorial investments. "Thus, we aim to achieve a significant degree of the decentralization process in decision-making for the implementation of priority investments in the target areas. The bottom-up principle will be at the forefront. This means that the territorial bodies at regional and municipal level in dialogue and cooperation with local communities will participate in the formation and implementation of the vision for socio-economic development in the settlements," said Deputy Minister Ivanova. As the practical implementation of integrated territorial investments is a novelty for Bulgaria, the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works is exploring the possibility of exchanging experiences with other countries that have applied this approach in their policies.

"All regions in the country will receive more targeted and effective support through projects under the Regional Development Program," said Angelina Boneva, Director General of the General Directorate for Strategic Planning and Regional Development Programs at the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works.

Boneva stressed that with the support of the EC, clearer measures and approaches are being developed that will alleviate the beneficiaries. There will also be some budgeting for each region.

"We are developing a National Map that will show us each region what infrastructure it needs - road, social, health, which will be combined with the bottom-up approach. More accurate indicators are being developed to monitor the effectiveness of projects and investments," Boneva said. She added that the municipalities, as the main partners of OPRD, will have access to funds to improve the administrative capacity, according to the map of the needs of the regions. The training of experts will be in cooperation with international partners.