Small and medium-sized enterprises in the border regions of Bulgaria and Serbia are supported with EU grants

We are re-equipping the structures of the Ministry of Interior for response to natural disasters with modern equipment and protective equipment

Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in the border municipalities of Bulgaria and Serbia will have access to EU grant funding under the joint cross-border programme managed by the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works in the 2021-2027 programming period. The total amount will become clear after approval of the programme budget by the EC and the support for the business will cover 15% of the total resource. Support will be in the form of grants, voucher schemes and other instruments, with projects implemented under simplified administrative procedures. The measure is expected to have a very positive effect on economic activity and exchange in the region and to support job creation and retention.  The decision was approved in the framework of a meeting of the Joint Working Group on Strategic Planning and Programming under the INTERREG-IPA Cross-border Cooperation Programme between the Republic of Bulgaria and the Republic of Serbia 2021-2027. The online meeting was chaired by the Deputy Minister of Regional Development and Public Works, Ms Denitsa Nikolova, and Mr Mihailo Dasic, Assistant Minister at the Ministry of European Integration of the Republic of Serbia.

The meeting approved the logical framework for the implementation of the programme, which includes two more strategic directions.  The largest resource, amounting to 55% of its budget, will be allocated to the instrument for integrated territorial development in the cross-border area in line with the strategic objectives of the Territorial Agenda EU 2030 .  It will enable integrated cross-sectoral projects that aim to boost economic development in the region and promote partnerships between authorities, civil society and business to find solutions for local needs.

The other strategic project provides for the re-equipment of the Ministry of Interior structures with modern equipment and protective equipment and a large-scale campaign to prepare the population for response to natural disasters, including volunteer organizations, businesses, students and pupils and other groups.  Existing cooperation between the two countries will be expanded through the development of joint policies, protocols, procedures and approaches for risk prevention and rapid response to potential emergencies such as fires, floods and other natural disasters and emergencies.  

Deputy Minister Nikolova pointed out that the accumulated experience and the willingness of both sides to maintain and develop partnership opportunities on both sides of the border will help us to develop an even better Programme for the period 2021-2027, which will bring an economic boost to the cross-border area. "I am confident that with these decisions we will help raise the standard of living of the people in the region and boost the socio-economic development of the cross-border region in the new programming period," Deputy Minister Nikolova said.

During the meeting of the Joint Monitoring Committee for the Crossborder cooperation programme 2014-2020 it became clear that the Programme is being successfully implemented.  Currently 100% of the budget of BGN 68 million has been agreed. Almost BGN 40 million have been paid to the beneficiaries, which is almost 60% of it.  "Despite the difficulties associated with the COVID pandemic, the programme has proven to be a reliable partner and has ensured a continuous process of payments to beneficiaries. We can be proud of the significant results achieved.    I am confident that these positive results and the numerous success stories give us the confidence to continue our efforts in the new programming period," said Deputy Minister Nikolova.