Projects under the Danube Region Programme 2021-2027 started to be accepted

The acceptance of project proposals under the Interreg Danube Region Programme 2021-2027 has started. The funds to be provided under this call amount to EUR 27.3 million. Project proposals can be submitted for them in several thematic areas: Developing skills in the field of artificial intelligence in order to increase competitiveness, stimulate innovation and ensure sustainable economic growth in the Danube region;

Sustainable renewable energy solutions in the context of energy production, heating and cooling systems, grid load, energy communities, district heating and cooling, storage and peak load reduction;

Promoting the capacity to adapt to climate change in the Danube region and disaster management (such as floods, droughts, forest fires and river pollution). Harmonisation and coordination of foresight, monitoring, preparedness or response at transnational level;

Sustainable, integrated, transnational water and sediment management in the Danube river basin, ensuring good water quality and quantity and sediment balance, etc. The maximum duration of projects is foreseen to be 30 months, starting on 1 July 2026. The evaluation will take place between December 2025 and April 2026. Application forms can be submitted until 14.00 on 15 December this year. mApplication forms need to be filled in the electronic system of the programme - JeMS.  Approved projects will receive 80% EU co-financing. The Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works, as the National Authority of the Programme, will provide national co-financing from the national budget to each Bulgarian partner in the amount of 15% of its budget in the approved project. The rest - 5% of the national co-financing is taken as own contribution of the partners. Danube projects must involve partners from at least three of the participating countries, at least one of which must be a partner from an EU Member State. Project partners can be local, regional or national authorities, academic organisations, non-governmental organisations, business associations, etc. Details of the call, the required application documents, as well as entries from the Joint Secretariat’s explanatory webinars on each of the thematic areas are published on the programme page: https://interreg-danube.eu/calls-for-proposals/third-call-for-proposals, as well as on the official MRDPW website: https://www.mrrb.bg/bg/treta-pokana-po-programa-dunavski-region-2021-2027/.