12.04.2021

BGN 6.7 BILLION ARE BEING INVESTED IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE REGIONS BY 2027

The draft budget of the Regional Development Program 2021-2027 is close to BGN 6.7 billion. It will be managed by the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works and will have three main priority axes. It is planned to support measures in 50 urban municipalities.

The first priority axis for integrated urban development has a draft budget of BGN 1.131 billion.

It provides support for the ten largest urban municipalities, as centers of growth. In order to achieve better results, the municipalities were grouped by regions for planning. And each cluster will have a total budget. The aim is thus to strengthen the region as a whole by promoting cooperation between stakeholders.

The second priority of the program is integrated territorial development of the planning regions of level 2. The budget is a little over BGN 2.5 billion. 40 urban municipalities will have access to it.

Both axes will fund infrastructure projects in the fields of health, education, social activities, culture, sports, tourism and cultural heritage, housing, energy efficiency and renovation of residential and public buildings, improving urban mobility, repairing road infrastructure and safety and development of functional connections. Measures for green urban infrastructure and security in public spaces, promotion of economic activity, etc. will also be supported.

The third priority of the program is "Fair Energy Transition".

It is programmed under the Fair Transition Fund, provided that the territorial plans developed for its implementation are approved as part of the RDP 2021 2027. The draft budget of the priority is BGN 3.1 billion. The main goal is to provide support for the regions and sectors most affected by the transition to climate neutrality. Currently, the measure is aimed at the districts of Stara Zagora, Kyustendil and Pernik, but negotiations are underway to include more districts. The priority axis will fund a wide range of activities.

For the first time in Bulgaria, the RDP 2021-2027 will be implemented through the implementation of instruments for integrated territorial development, specified by the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works. The program is designed to achieve balanced territorial development between the regions, depopulation of territories in the country and others.