The first call for projects under the Bulgaria-Turkey Cross-Border Cooperation Program will be published in the autumn

In the autumn of this year, the first call for project proposals under the Cross-Border Cooperation Program between Bulgaria and Turkey for the period 2021-2027 is expected to be published for law enforcement agencies on both sides of the border to tackle illegal migration. The resource provided for it is nearly 2 million euros. Its partners will be the regional directorates of the Ministry of Interior in Haskovo, Burgas and Yambol and the Law Enforcement Department in the provinces of Edirne and Lozengrad (Kirklareli).

This became clear at a meeting of the Deputy Minister of Regional Development and Public Works Delyana Ivanova with the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey Farouk Kaymakci.

The two discussed the preparation of the program for the new seven-year period. Deputy Minister Ivanova stressed that the work on it is at an advanced stage and expressed expectation that the implementation of joint projects between Bulgaria and Turkey will be at the same level as before.

Over 34.4m euros will be invested in the border region of Bulgaria and Turkey over the next seven years. Beneficiaries from the districts of Burgas, Yambol and Haskovo and the Turkish provinces of Edirne and Kirklareli will be able to apply for them with joint projects. Business and security in the border area are the main priorities of the program. Small and medium enterprises will be able to apply with energy efficiency projects for their building stock. Activities for the introduction of technological modernization and transition to a circular economy, exchange of know-how and good practices will also be financed. Funds are also provided for joint projects to promote integrated and inclusive social, economic and environmental local development, culture, natural heritage, sustainable tourism and security on both sides of the border.

The emphasis in the program in the new period is the regional policy, focused on the specific needs and peculiarities of each of the regions. It relies on equal access and direct support of small and medium-sized enterprises to the financial resource for cross-border cooperation. The focus is also on integrated territorial development, based on the bottom-up approach, and local communities will have the opportunity to prioritize investment on the most pressing territorial issues. The support will be tailored to the specific needs of each region, which is one of the innovative ways to adapt programs to those who need them most.