11.08.2022

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION HAS APPROVED THE "HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT" PROGRAM FOR THE 2021-2027 PROGRAMMING PERIOD

The "Human Resources Development" program (2021-2027) has been officially approved by the European Commission and is the first program in Bulgaria to receive a "green light" from Brussels. The HRDP (2021-2027) is co-financed by the European Social Fund + and the national budget. The budget of the program amounts to more than BGN 3.8 billion, which is expected to support more than 740,000 people in Bulgaria.

Through the implementation of the Human Resources Development Program, support will be provided for the development of the workforce in Bulgaria and overcoming the challenges facing the labor market. In the next seven years, measures will be implemented that will provide more opportunities to increase the qualifications, knowledge and skills of the employed. The most vulnerable groups in society - unemployed, people with disabilities, people living in poverty, children, adults, representatives of the Roma community will receive support for full inclusion in the economic and social life of the country.

Under the HRDP, support will be provided to vulnerable people and their families. The support will be complex - on the one hand, opportunities for professional realization will be created, and on the other - their access to quality social and health and social services will be improved. The socio-economic integration of disadvantaged people will be promoted by increasing the range and quality of services provided. It is planned to identify the individual needs of each person in need and prepare profiles with the most appropriate measures for the person concerned. With European funds, services and quality care will be provided in the community or in a home environment.

For the first time, "Youth employment" is separated into an independent priority in the program. With a budget of over BGN 735 million, measures will be implemented to identify, inform and motivate inactive young people, include them in employment, internships, apprenticeships, training and support for their first job. An individual approach and complex support will be provided for young people in a disadvantaged position on the labor market. The main objective of the measures will be to facilitate the transition from education to employment.

A total of BGN 20 million from the Human Resources Development Program (2021-2027) will be directed to projects for social experimentation, testing and implementation of social innovations in the field of the labor market and social inclusion. Part of the funds will encourage the testing and evaluation of innovative solutions before their implementation on a larger scale. Social and solidarity economy enterprises can play a key role in achieving social innovation. The activity of the Competence Center for Social Innovations will be supported through the HRDP. In this way, the development of social innovations in the enterprises of the social and solidarity economy will be supported.