The BTA building will be renovated with more than BGN 7 million from the Regional Development Programme

With funds from the 2021-2027 Development of Regions Programme, the building of the Bulgarian News Agency in Sofia will be renovated. The activities will be implemented under the World of News Sofia project. The contract for its implementation was signed by the Deputy Minister of Regional Development and Public Works and Head of the Managing Authority of RDP Yura Vitanova and the Director General of BTA Kiril Valchev. The project is worth nearly BGN 7.2 million and the European grant is close to BGN 6.4 million from Priority 1 ‘Integrated Urban Development’ of the RDP. The remaining 830,000 are self-financed.

Deputy Minister Vitanova congratulated the team of BTA for the efforts made to implement the project. "I believe that after its implementation it will become one of the emblematic for the programme", she stressed, but pointed out that there was a lot of work to be done on the implementation of the envisaged activities. "There are many challenges for BTA, but given your commitment and drive to finish what you started, things will have a positive outcome. In our face, you will continue to have a partner," Vitanova further said. She pointed out that one of the objectives of the RDP is to implement similar projects with European funds that benefit.

Kiril Valchev pointed out that the building, which houses BTA, has not been renovated for 65 years. “After years of efforts, the large-scale project to renovate the building and the space around it begins,” he said. The building will be energy-renovated with modern air-conditioning, roof panels for self-generating electricity, wall insulation, etc., it became clear at the presentation of the project.

The project also includes the construction of a public recreation area in front of the building, with a garden in which a map of the world will be presented with greenery and news from the world will be presented on screens. “We hope this will become one of Sofia’s attractions,” he said. It is also envisaged that an exhibition on news history will be presented next to the BTA Information Centre, with museum exhibits digitised in three-dimensional format – technical means for transmitting and receiving news in different historical periods. The exhibition will be realized in partnership with the National Polytechnic Museum.

The implementation period is 24 months. "We hope that even in case of delays, at the latest for the 130th anniversary of the establishment of BTA – 16.02.2028, the project will be completed", said Valchev.