The first 5 budget lines under Priority 5 "Technical Assistance" of the Development of Regions Programme 2021-2027 have been approved

The budget lines approved are under procedure BG16FFPR003-5.001 ‘Support for successful implementation of the RDP’ under Priority 5 ‘Technical assistance’ of the Regional Development Programme 2021-2027. The main objective of the procedure is the successful management of the programme and the achievement of its specific objectives, including with regard to the Just Transition Fund (JTF). In the 2021-2027 programming period, the activities under the RDP 2021-2027 are implemented with resources from two funds: the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Just Transition Fund (JTF).

The implementation of the activities under the budget lines will contribute to ensuring sustainability and improving the administrative capacity of the Managing Authority, beneficiaries, regional, local, urban and other public authorities, economic and social partners, civil society organisations participating in the composition of the RDP Follow-up Committee, the Just Transition Sub-Committees in the regions of Pernik, Kyustendil and Stara Zagora and the ITI Sub-Committee of the RDP Follow-up Committee. In addition, the necessary financial support will be provided to cover wage costs, in line with EU regulations and developed national rules; implementation of the programme's preparatory, training, management, monitoring, evaluation, visibility and communication activities.

The experience and expertise gained during the previous programming periods will be used for the successful implementation of the RDP. The funds under the budget lines under Priority 5 ‘Technical Assistance’ will also support all activities of the RDP MA related to the successful, effective and appropriate implementation of the programme in the field of document development, their evaluation and update related to the current programming period and the preparation of the next one, in order to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the implementation of the Programme ‘Development of the Regions’ 2021-2027 and to ensure the effectiveness of the post-2027 programme. The RDP MA team will administer whistleblowing alerts when announcing and conducting procedures for the selection of contractor and public procurement contracts, as well as carrying out ex-ante controls before verifying expenditure by providing opinions; support the implementation, reporting, monitoring through monitoring and control of the projects implemented under the Programme with a view to reducing the risk of poor implementation. Activities related to the closure of the 2014-2020 programming period will also be supported under the budget lines.

The total amount of the grant under the procedure is: BGN 120 000 000, of which the European co-financing is BGN 85 508 981.34 and the national co-financing is BGN 34 491 018.66.

The Directorate-General for Strategic Planning and Regional Development Programmes (DG SPRDP) of the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works (MRDPW), through the designated departments, is the specific beneficiary of the grant under Priority 5 ‘Technical Assistance’ of the 2021-2027 Development of Regions Programme.

More information and short summaries on the budget lines can be found on the programme page –https://bgregio.eu/wps/portal/operativna-programa/regional-development-program-2021-2027/general-information-prd-2021-2027 in the menu ‘General information’ for the 2021-2027 RDP.