Bulgaria, Serbia and RSM are investing € 70 million in the development of our border regions
Nearly 70m euros will be invested by 2027 in the development of Bulgaria’s border regions with the Republic of Northern Macedonia and Serbia under European cross-border co-operation programs. This statement was made by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Regional Development and Public Works Grozdan Karadjov before the Parliamentary Committee on the Policy for Bulgarians Abroad. He emphasizes that in the border regions of our western neighbors live compatriots who are used very directly and indirectly by this type of investment.
Bulgaria is committed to supporting the importance of the number of Bulgarian communities abroad. Over the years, not enough has been done to build an effective complex, long-term and integrated policy for Bulgarians in the country. This motivates us even more to work for real results “, choose the regional minister.
According to him, the programs provide an opportunity for agreement, building partnerships and contacts between Bulgarians on both sides of the border.
“This is a prerequisite for an economic boost for the poor border areas where Bulgarians live,” the deputy prime minister said.
He emphasized that significant progress had been made through the use of cross-border cooperation programs. Only for the last 8 years between Bulgaria, Northern Macedonia and Serbia, projects worth 53m euros have been implemented. euros in different areas on both sides of the border.
“People in them communicate, create joint initiatives and start working together. They already know very well that they have similar problems, prerequisites, but also common goals for improving living and business conditions “, said the director of the TCB Desislava Georgieva, director of the Directorate for Territorial Cooperation (TCB) in the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works.
Meanwhile, Karadzhov’s report that in the period up to 2027. programs will fund projects aimed at tackling climate change, disaster, health and economic crises.
The strategic goals include the construction of the long-awaited Klepalo border crossing with Macedonia, as well as a significant increase in the efficiency of fire and emergency services in Bulgaria and Serbia in disasters, accidents and catastrophes, the deputy prime minister said.
It is also envisaged to be supported by direct grants to small and medium-sized businesseswhich is the backbone of the economy in the border areas.
“Half of the funds under the programs will be for integrated projects that come from local communities and are prioritized by them. “The bottom-up approach of the union here is a great chance for the Bulgarian communities to remain even more active participants in this process by offering the most important for regional projects,” said Desislava Georgieva.
Currently, this shows significant activity, as in the 2014-2020 programming period, half of the contracts concluded under the cross-border cooperation program with Serbia, for example, include representations of the Bulgarian communities. The total amount of funding for these projects is 17.5m euros. euros.
European principles of non-discrimination and opportunity do not allow for programs or projects for special Bulgarian communities abroad, but information campaigns, partnership forums and trainings are organized that can benefit the Bulgarian communities. I will meet with them and I will consult in detail how to apply, which projects are eligible, etc., so that there is a greater chance for funding, “said Georgieva.
The Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works called on the members of the commission during their meetings with the Bulgarian communities to get acquainted with the opportunities offered by the programs and to encourage them to cooperate and get involved in projects through participation in information campaigns, meetings and trainings.
One of the priorities of the new program 2021-2027 will be the broad partnership in the implementation of projects that are within the scope of the territorial strategy. This includes Bulgarian communities in the border regions. Here the planned budget is 21m euros. euro, which is more support than in the previous period. Support for the program with the Republic of Northern Macedonia has also increased by 50% over the 2021-2027 programming period, providing additional access to funding.