The Mayor of Vratsa, Kalin Kamenov, is the Chairman of the Regional Council for Development of the Northwest Region, the Vice-Chairman is the Mayor of Montana Zlatko Zhivkov

New trends in the implementation of European policies are related to the territorial approach of impact. With targeted support from different funding sources for a specific territory, its economic potentials can be developed and brought to the fore.  The conduct of regional policy in Bulgaria is significant because for the first time we are making the transition to the investment process being decided with European funding being taken over partly or entirely at regional level.

This said the Deputy Minister of Regional Development and Public Works and Head of the Managing Authority of OP "Regions in Growth" 2014-2020. Denitsa Nikolova at the opening of the first meeting of the new Regional Council for Development of the Northwest Region.

At the meeting, the Mayor of Vratsa Municipality- Kalin Kamenov was appointed as the Chairman of the Council and the Mayor of Montana Municipality- Zlatko Zhivkov as the Vice-Chairman.

The Regional Council will give its opinions on the vision for the development of the respective localities and for this purpose it will be periodically informed about the implementation of the integrated development plans of the municipalities from the stage of their approval.

The main goals we have set ourselves are the creation of an economically strong and sustainable Northwest region, tackling the negative demographic trend, increasing economic growth, as well as promoting a balanced development of the whole territory, Denitsa Nikolova said.  In this regard, the approach for the implementation of the investment process at the territorial level has been established.

Nikolova drew attention to the need for close dialogue and cooperation at local and regional level, as well as to the importance of partnerships in shaping project ideas and the involvement of increasing groups of stakeholders, including in implementation.

Together with the stakeholders, NGOs and civil society organisations we can achieve the maximum possible benefits and effects that we will have after the end of the next programming period, Deputy Minister Nikolova further said.

On the basis of the decisions to be taken by the regional councils, we will assess whether the approach is appropriate for a comprehensive delegation of responsibilities for the management of EU funds at regional level, the deputy minister stressed.  The model is transitional and through it will be able to look for opportunities for adaptation and, at regional and local level, to build capacity in terms of assessing and selecting the investment projects with the greatest contribution to economic potential and raising living standards.