27.12.2020

Projects worth 275 million euros between Bulgaria and Romania over 5 years

From 2015 until today, 172 projects with a total value of over 275 million euros have been implemented under the Interreg V-A Cross-border Cooperation Program between Bulgaria and Romania. This became clear from the Information Bulletin for 2020, which presents the progress reported in the implementation of the INTERREG V-A Romania-Bulgaria Program.

Thanks to the program, 45 integrated tourist products have been created, which has contributed to over 85,000 more visits to various attractions in the country and our northern neighbor. 162 initiatives to promote employment and labor mobility have also been implemented. No less attention was paid to risk management, especially the prevention of floods, landslides and other similar disasters. Nearly 69 km of roads have been rehabilitated, and another 150 km of road sections are in varying degrees of implementation.

In order to provide support to the beneficiaries of the program, they also had the opportunity to request a period of suspension of the relevant projects during the pandemic. However, almost all of them have decided to continue their activities. Of all 67 projects being implemented in the current 2020, only 3 projects have been requested to be suspended due to the pandemic.

We remind you that the Interreg V-A Romania - Bulgaria Program is implemented digitally through its own electronic system (eMS). With it, everything is electronic, starting with the submission of project applications, signing contracts, additional agreements and other documents necessary for the implementation of a project, including electronic signature.

Also in 2020, the Interreg V-A Romania-Bulgaria Program has a direct contribution to the measures taken to combat the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Projects have been funded to address health interventions (including hospital equipment in border regions), emergency risk reduction and others, the main aim of which is to reduce the spread of the disease.

In the next programming period 2021-2027, the focus will be on a more connected, greener and more social Europe (Objective 3 Connected Europe and Objective 5 Europe closer to citizens). The Euro Velo 6 route, better known as the Danube Bicycle Road, which is over 3,600 kilometers long, is also expected to be developed as a matter of priority.