15.02.2023
BGN 2 BILLION FOR BUSINESS. HOW TO GET THEM
Bulgarian businesses will be able to apply for programs worth nearly BGN 2 billion in 2023. Most of them will be opened already at the beginning of the year. The most are the schemes under the National Plan for Recovery and Sustainability.
The majority of the resource intended for business is managed by the Department for Innovation and Growth.
The programs with which Bulgarian business can improve this year under the National Plan for Recovery and Sustainability are five, worth about BGN 950 million.
Up to BGN 1 million for RES
The most awaited is the construction of renewable energy systems - capacities up to 1 MW together with storage batteries. The budget is BGN 200 million, with the minimum application amount being BGN 100,000 and the maximum being BGN 1 million. Own co-financing will be between 35 and 50%, depending on factors such as the region of the investment, etc. The procedure is expected to start in February, and the deadline for submitting documents has been extended from two to three months. It is managed by the Ministry of Innovation and Growth.
"Green" program for business under the National Plan for Recovery and Sustainability is also "Circular Economy" with a budget of BGN 180 million. It is aimed at all enterprises from the processing industry sector for the acquisition of new equipment, specialized software or the provision of consulting services of an engineering and technical nature, preparation of an analysis of the resource efficiency and carbon intensity of the enterprise and possible solutions for their improvement. The Ministry of Innovation and Growth plans to launch it in March.
This year, under the third program of the National Plan for Recovery and Sustainability, innovative small and medium-sized companies that have received the "Seal of Excellence" quality mark from the competitions of the "Horizon 2020" and "Horizon Europe" programs of the European Innovation Council can apply. The budget is BGN 118.6 million. It is expected that the start will be in the first quarter.
The fourth procedure is related to the complete or partial construction of infrastructure in industrial zones and parks. Infrastructure can be technical (incoming and domestic), environmental (charging stations) and innovative (research). The launch is planned for the end of February. The budget is BGN 212.5 million, and one project can receive a maximum of BGN 40 million.
The fifth procedure is under the auspices of the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works and aims to improve the energy efficiency of enterprises with class B buildings. The application will begin by the end of February. The budget amounts to BGN 235 million.
The new "Competitiveness"
Under the new Competitiveness Program, three programs worth over half a billion BGN will be launched within this year.
The first open procedure will be for innovations in small and medium-sized enterprises /SMEs/ in cooperation with a large enterprise. Projects must be aimed at developing product innovation or business process innovation aimed at producing goods and providing services. Activities to carry out research, measurements, tests, as well as to create and test prototypes and pilot lines related to the innovation under development will be supported. The budget is BGN 127 million and it should start in March.
The second similar measure is for innovation implementation in SMEs. The budget is BGN 293.4 million and it is expected to start in April.
The measure aimed at the modernization of family businesses is expected to be launched last. The procedure will target SMEs that are owned by more than one family member. Eligible expenses will be for the acquisition of machinery, equipment, equipment and software related to the production goals of the enterprises. It will be open for applications in the fall. The budget is BGN 117.5 million.
The new program
Under the new operational program "Scientific research, innovation and digitization for intelligent transformation", SMEs will be able to apply for a voucher scheme for more science in business with a budget of BGN 50 million. The forecast of the Ministry of Innovation and Growth is that it will start in the second half of the year.
The most important resource - people
This year, businesses will be able to apply for three procedures under the Human Resources Development Program from the new program period 2021-2027 for a total of BGN 230 million.
The first open scheme is likely to be the "Adapted Work Environment", which is estimated to target around 400 businesses and 91,000 workers. It aims to adapt employees to deal with extreme situations such as pandemics, to develop and implement systems to optimize work processes and increase organizational and team effectiveness, to implement tools, models and programs for managing stress in the workplace and for prevention and prevention of overheating, as well as to train employers in corporate social responsibility activities. BGN 100 million have been set aside for this measure and it is expected to start in March.
The second measure is aimed at youth employment. For this, employers must apply to the labor offices. The budget is BGN 80 million.
The latest scheme is expected to start in October and has a budget of BGN 50 million. The aim is to increase the skills of workers and employees.
14.02.2023
WHAT TRAPS CONSUMER LOANS HIDE
You thought you'd be able to make it financially until your first paycheck after the bigger spending spree around the holidays, but an inaccurate budget or unexpected expenses leave you in a bind.
Offers for quick loans "float" on the TV screen, "speak" on the radio airwaves, "peek" from Internet banners, "pop" out of our mailboxes, "fly" to us in the form of flyers and brochures... However, financial consultants are unanimous – these are expensive and risky services and should only be used in emergencies.
In order not to fall into the traps of hidden fees and unfair practices of fast loan companies, do a thorough market research, calculate how much the loan will cost you, compare the currently available options and then choose the best one for you, the online platform advises "We, the users".
How to choose the right loan for you
It is important to find out how much the loan will cost you and to assess whether you will be able to repay it on time. Don't underestimate the risk that your income and status will change during the time you owe the lender.
Collect all the information about the most important conditions for the granting, utilization and maturity of the loan and compare it with that of others offered on the market. Pay particular attention to the total repayment amount, the interest rate, the APR, the term of the contract, and the amount and number of repayments. All this is contained in the so-called Standard European form, which the creditor is obliged to provide you before the conclusion of the contract, so that you can form a clear idea of what you are getting and what you will have to pay back. Sometimes companies do not provide such a form at all or some of the mandatory details are not filled in.
So that you know in advance what it should say and are prepared to require it to be completed by the lender, We the Consumers provide a sample form in advance.
Experts remind that when comparing the price of two loans, the most accurate indicator is the so-called annual percentage of costs. It includes the agreed interest rate and the fees and commissions payable.
Check the lender
Be sure to check the merchant in the official register of the Bulgarian National Bank website to make sure that it is working "in the light".
Before you sign the contract
Read the contract and its general terms and conditions carefully before signing. In the premises for customer service, accessible information in written form should be placed in a prominent place about the general conditions, tariffs and the order in which the creditor provides consumer loans. You have the right to request and receive in advance and free of charge a copy of the draft contract (unless the creditor refuses to grant you a loan).
Do not agree to illegal fees, which sometimes appear in terms of conditions. These are fees for additional services that you have not specifically requested, and the creditor forces them on you. For example, a phone call reminder when a loan installment is late. Or in case of delay - to prepare a reminder letter or notary invitation, etc. The Consumer Credit Act prohibits the collection of fees and commissions for actions related to the utilization and management of the credit.
Do not accept clauses that provide for unfounded declaration of the loan as early demandable, because they are unfair. Such, for example, are clauses according to which the creditor can declare your loan as due in advance if you delay your payment to third parties (loans or credits to other financial institutions and/or to the state) or any legal actions and procedures are initiated against you for forced debt collection by third parties (your other creditor, the state, municipality, etc.). Such a practice is illegal because it makes you dependent on something that has nothing to do with your credit agreement.
Another unfair clause relates to the demand for illegal interest. For example, already in the case of a credit that has been reasonably declared to be due in advance, the creditor may demand the interest and fees for the entire period of the contract. According to the law, you only owe those for the time you used the loan.
Keep in mind that according to the Consumer Credit Act, the annual cost percentage cannot exceed 50% of the loaned principal. Therefore, do not accept such terms.
When signing the contract
Be sure to insist on a written contract. It should contain all the information given to you in the pre-contract and specifically agreed parameters.
Be sure to pay attention to what document they present you for signature. There are cases in practice in which the company provides its client with an application, which subsequently turns into a contract, and in which some of the details, such as the amount of the loaned amount or the interest rate, remain empty. They are filled out later, in the absence of the user, but his signature is pre-written and in practice he agrees to something that he does not know what it will be.
14.02.2023
4 PERCENT UNEMPLOYMENT IN OUR COUNTRY IN DECEMBER
Unemployment in the European Union was at a level of 6.1 percent in December 2022, maintaining its level for the fourth month in a row, and decreasing from December 2021's 6.4 percent. In the euro area, unemployment was 6.6 percent in December for the third month in a row, and compared to the same month a year earlier, it fell by 0.4 percentage points, according to the latest seasonally adjusted data of the European statistics agency Eurostat.
About 13.148 million people in the EU, of which 11.48 million were residents of the euro area, were unemployed in December 2022. Compared to a month earlier, the unemployed were 28 thousand more in the EU and 23 thousand more in the euro area. Compared to December 2021, unemployment has decreased by 518 thousand in the EU, as well as by 494 thousand in the euro area in December 2022.
In Bulgaria, unemployment in December 2022 reached 4 percent, increasing by 0.1 percentage point compared to the previous month. This corresponds to 132 thousand unemployed Bulgarians in December, compared to 129 thousand in November. In December 2021, native unemployment was at the level of 4.6 percent, which corresponded to 149 thousand people.
In December, native youth unemployment increased slightly compared to November – by 0.3 percentage points, to 11.2 percent. Still, youth unemployment remained below its levels since December 2021, when it reached 14.4 percent.
Youth unemployment
In December, 2.862 million young people (under the age of 25) were unemployed in the EU, of which 2.311 million people were citizens of the euro area. Thus, in December 2022, the youth unemployment rate was 15 percent in the EU and 14.8 percent in the euro area.
Compared to November 2022, youth unemployment has increased by 30 thousand in the EU and by 3 thousand in the Eurozone. Compared to December 2021, youth unemployment has increased by 209 thousand people in the EU and by 156 thousand people in the Eurozone.
Unemployment rate by gender
In December 2022, the female unemployment rate was 6.4 percent in the EU, remaining stable compared to November. The male unemployment rate was 5.8 percent, also unchanged from November.
In December, unemployment among women in the Eurozone was 7 percent, and among men - 6.3 percent, and both indicators remained unchanged from the previous month.
13.02.2023
PUBLIC CONSULTATION OF THE APPLICANT’S GUIDE DEDICATED TO THE COMPETITIVE CALL FOR OPERATIONS UNDER PO 2, IN THE CONTEXT OF INTERREG VI-A ROMANIA-BULGARIA PROGRAMME
From 13th of February 2023 is launched for public consultation the Applicant’s Guide for the first competitive call for project proposals.
The Applicant’s Guide is a document developed in order to help the applicants to better understand the steps and the rules they must follow in order to apply for the first call for proposals. The main goal of this call is to identify and select projects in the field of climate change adaptation and environmental topics under Priority 2: A Green Region, SO 2.4 and 2.7.
The estimated budget for the specific objectives under Priority 2: A Green Region is:
All interested stakeholders are invited to take part in this public consultation and share their comments and proposals! Check the Applicant’s Guide, analyze it and send us your contribution at: robg@mdlpa.ro until 15th of March, 2023. After the consultation, the Applicant’s Guide will be approved by the Monitoring Committee of Interreg VI-A Romania-Bulgaria Programme.
The Applicant’s Guide can be consulted here:
13.02.2023
BULGARIA IS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE EU IN THE PARTICIPATION OF ADULTS IN LIFELONG LEARNING
The European Commission has declared 2023 the Year of Skills. Having a workforce with the skills that are in demand contributes to sustainable growth, leads to more innovation and improves the competitiveness of companies.
In 2021, the participation rate of adults in lifelong learning was 11% in the EU. This is an increase compared to 2020 (9%) and is the same share reported in 2019, data from the European statistical office Eurostat show.
Participation rates in almost all EU countries increased steadily between 2011 and 2021, with the exception of Denmark (-10%) and the Czech Republic (-6%). The biggest increase was registered in the Netherlands (+10%), Sweden (+9%) and Finland (+7%).
In 2021, the highest participation rates of adults in education were recorded in Sweden (35%), Finland (31%) and the Netherlands (27%). At the other end of the scale, the lowest share of adult participation in learning was reported in Bulgaria (2%), Greece (4%) and Slovakia, Romania, Croatia and Poland (all 5%).
10.02.2023
THE FIRST FLOATING WIND TURBINE IN THE BLACK SEA WILL BE ON BULGARIAN TERRITORY
The first floating wind turbine in the Black Sea, designed by the French company Eolink, will be manufactured by the Romanian GSP Offshore, reports Romania Insider.
The turbine will be tested in Bulgarian territorial waters as part of an EU-funded project. The BLOW (Black sea Floating Offshore Wind) project starts this month with a budget of 21 million euros, of which over 15 million euros will come from the EU under the Horizon Europe program. The project should last 5 years until the end of 2027.
The green investment includes 16 participants, uniting the efforts of research and business organizations, among which is the University of Mining and Geology in Sofia. It aims to exploit the floating offshore wind potential of the Black Sea by installing a demonstration system with a capacity of 5 megawatts off our coast.
The wind turbine is being developed by the French engineering company Eolink. The floating structure will be manufactured by Romania's GSP Offshore in Constanta and should be ready by 2025. The company, led by Gabriel Comanescu, will transport the turbine to the mooring area. The investment is in the amount of about 12.56 million euros.
The floating wind turbine will be used to power a gas platform in the Black Sea operated by oil and gas company Petroceltic. The turbine will be fitted with a larger rotor to generate more power in areas with low wind, Eolink said.
"The aim of this specific project is to demonstrate the competitiveness of floating offshore wind in areas with lower wind with the deployment of a large diameter rotor. Winning this funding has allowed us to take a step forward towards our ultimate goal: offering a viable energy source with the lowest possible carbon emissions," Eolink founder and CEO Marc Guyot said in a statement.
The floating turbine in Bulgaria will be Eolink's second in Europe after a similar project in France, which is expected to be connected to the French electricity grid by 2024.
"The World Bank's 2021 report shows that there is huge technical potential in South East Europe, with a staggering 166 gigawatts of floating offshore energy in the Black Sea alone, equivalent to 5 times the electricity consumption of Bulgaria and Romania. Through this project, we hope to catalyze offshore development in the region, which already has offshore wind projects currently under construction in Romania," says Eolink Commercial Director Alain Mori.
An energy island between Bulgaria and Romania
In the future, the wind turbine may become part of the so-called "energy island" to be developed jointly by Romania and Bulgaria. With joint efforts, the two countries can solve the problem of connecting a large amount of offshore wind power to their electricity grid, says a new report by the Energy Policy Group (EPG), a Bucharest-based independent think tank that deals with energy and climate policies.
"The Romanian-Bulgarian Energy Island would be an effective and scalable solution to unlock large-scale deployment of offshore wind energy as well as valuable interconnection capacity with other Black Sea countries (such as Turkey, Georgia, as well as Azerbaijan further east), drastically improving energy security and contributing to regional price stability," the think tank's report said.
The total capital expenditure allocated to Romania in a joint energy island project with Bulgaria, including 3 gigawatts of offshore wind farms, would be €8.4 billion, with €810 million representing Romania's share of the energy island, while the resulting annual energy production would calculated at 9.8 terawatt hours, EPG claims.
An eventual energy island in the Black Sea basin – which EPG says could also connect future offshore wind power from other countries around the basin – already has a good foundation: the recently announced high-voltage submarine cable linking Romania, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Hungary, according to experts.
New hydroelectric plants between Bulgaria and Romania
The energy cooperation between Romania and Bulgaria has recently been very active and there are other joint projects. The two countries also plan to build two hydroelectric plants along the Danube River to be used jointly on the model of the "Iron Gate" hydroelectric plants used jointly by Romania and Serbia.
The first 840 MW co-generation plant will be located between Nikopol in Bulgaria and Turnu Magurele in Romania, with feasibility studies and evaluation already in place as a basis.
The second plant is slated to be located in Silistra, Bulgaria and near Calaras, Romania, but exploration there is only now beginning.
09.02.2023
TOP PERSONALITY QUALITIES EMPLOYERS ARE LOOKING FOR
When it comes to job hunting and success in the workplace, your personality traits play an important role as they will determine your success in the new company.
In addition to the basic professional skills you need to possess (communication, teamwork, decision-making and organization), there are other more personal qualities that employers look for in candidates.
Here are the main personality traits that employers look for in candidates:
The ability to manage stress effectively is the key to success in the workplace. Employers are looking for people who can work well under pressure and perform their duties. Dealing with the emotions that arise due to stress, such as frustration, anxiety, nervousness and anger, is vital.
Negative emotions quickly spread throughout the team and not only interfere with work, but also affect the overall atmosphere. So if you want to maintain good relations with colleagues and be productive, you need to learn how to deal with stress. The goal is to not let anything affect you more than it should. This is the key to success.
No one likes to be told what to do all the time, and a certain degree of independence is always necessary, in any work environment. But being independent doesn't mean doing whatever you want. In fact, it's quite the opposite.
Being independent means being able to take care of your own needs while taking responsibility for your own decisions and paying attention to those around you.
When you learn how to work independently, you have the freedom to unleash your skills and talents. It can also make your employer want to see more of your abilities and ideas.
Self-motivation is one of the most important qualities that leads to success, as it helps you realize your goals and facilitates progress.
Without drive or motivation, it is impossible to advance in your career. Employers value goal-driven employees.
The first step to developing your self-motivation is to choose a job you love. It's important to be happy and productive, but also satisfied with what you do for a living.
No employer or manager wants to tell you what to do all the time – they're busy people too. It is their responsibility to teach you the basics and unwritten rules of the company culture. But from this point on, you don't have to rely on them for every decision you make.
Taking initiative means coming up with creative solutions yourself, testing them and finding out what works and what doesn't. It's about trusting your gut and not being afraid to make mistakes.
It all starts with confidence, and if you want to make others believe in you, you must first believe in yourself. This applies to every job interview you go to, presentation you give, meeting you attend, and project you lead.
Confidence is about knowing what you are good at and recognizing the value you can bring to the team. Confidence also inspires trust and loyalty.
If you feel you lack confidence, there are a few things you can do. Start by recognizing aspects of yourself that you would like to improve, and then take action.
Without creativity, there can be no innovation. Creativity requires the courage to abandon certainty and embrace change. For employers, this is a skill that can lead to innovation in the workplace, making it a highly sought-after quality.
Employers are always looking for employees who are ambitious. HR managers are usually impressed by candidates who want to increase their capital, who are ready to accept any challenge, complete any task or take constructive criticism seriously.
Let's be honest: it can be difficult to always be enthusiastic about your work. For many people, routine leads to a loss of enthusiasm, which then hurts your chances of advancement at work. Although it's easier said than done, you need to maintain a level of excitement about your career.
Being conscientious is a skill that many employees lack these days. Some managers argue that this is a quality in high demand, as it is one of many skills that are in short supply in today's talent pool.
A conscientious employee is one who is organized, responsible, reliable, punctual and planning.
This ties in with some of the previous personal qualities we mentioned, but punctuality is critical to a successful career, whether you're in the office or working from the comfort of your home.
If you want to become more accurate, then you will need to make it your priority. Things like keeping a daily routine and using a timer to complete tasks can certainly help.
09.02.2023
NEAR NIKOPOL AND SILISTRA: BULGARIA AND ROMANIA ARE BUILDING HYDROELECTRIC PLANTS ALONG THE DANUBE RIVER
Romania and Bulgaria intend to build two hydroelectric power plants on the Danube River to be used jointly on the model of the "Iron Gates" hydroelectric power plants operated jointly by Romania and Serbia. This is written in a document published by the Bulgarian government.
The plans are for the two plants to be built by the Romanian state company Hidroelectrica.
The construction of the plants is part of Bulgaria's energy development strategy until 2053, developed by the Minister of Energy.
The first 840MW joint-venture plant will be based between Nikopol in Bulgaria and Turnu Magurele in Romania, with feasibility studies and evaluation already in place as a basis.
The second plant is to be located in Silistra, near Calaras, Romania, but exploration there is only just beginning.
The two countries have already held several meetings with the participation of the energy ministers of Romania and Bulgaria. The two countries are likely to sign a memorandum on the project next month. Construction of the projects is expected to take between 5 and 6 years.
Bulgaria's new energy strategy also includes a corridor for the transmission of electricity through Romania and Slovakia to Hungary, as well as an increase in the capacity of transmission lines with Turkie.
08.02.2023
PROTECTING WHISTLEBLOWERS
The Parliament in Bulgaria adopted a Law for the protection of persons reporting or publicly disclosing information about violations.
The main purpose of the law is to ensure the protection of persons in the public and private sector who file reports or make public information about violations of Bulgarian legislation or EU acts, which became known to them during or on the occasion of performing their work or fulfilling their official duties.
Obliged entities under this law are all employers in the public sector, with the exception of municipalities with less than 10,000 inhabitants. In relation to the private sector, it is envisaged that employers with more than 50 workers or employees, as well as those with less than 50 workers or employees, if their activity falls within the EU acts, are obliged entities.
The law also aims to ensure effective protection of whistleblowers or public disclosures of violations regarding acts and areas where law enforcement needs to be improved.
The scope is broad, with categories including: public procurement, financial services, products and markets, anti-money laundering, environmental protection, public health, consumer protection, transport safety, privacy and data protection, security of networks and information systems, etc.
What are the interrelationships between the adopted law and labor and service relations?
At first glance, the subject of the law is not labor and directly related relations, insurance relations, as well as issues of the standard of living, but in practice, in most cases, the persons who will file reports are precisely workers or employees. And it is against them that some kind of pressure, coercion, influence, threat and other unfavorable actions, disciplinary sanctions or direct dismissal could be applied because they have reported violations.
It is about protecting the rights of workers and employees, their personal data, as well as the status and role of trade unions in the process of reporting violations.
Regarding the field of application, this law should also be applied in relation to reports or public disclosure of information about violations of Bulgarian legislation in the field of labor legislation and legislation related to the performance of public service. In practice, the persons making such reports will, in most cases, be in the capacity of "worker or employee" or "public servant", that is, working under an employment or official legal relationship.
Closely related to labor relations are insurance relations or legal relations. Their importance comes from the fact that they are public relations to compensate for the adverse social consequences for the insured person or for the family members supported by him when carrying out the social risks provided for in the law, as a result of which temporary unemployment, temporary/permanent incapacity or death of the insured person, but also all questions concerning the granting and amount of pensions, pension funds, etc.
08.02.2023
TRAVEL EXPENSES WILL BE PAID IN A NEW WAY DURING A BUSINESS TRIP
An increase in the minimum amount of daily allowance for business trips from BGN 20 to BGN 40 foresees changes in the Ordinance on business trips in the country, uploaded for public discussion.
In this way, an adequate amount of per diem is guaranteed to the seconded person to cover the costs of food during business trip in the country, it is written in the reasons for the project.
It is also possible to pay daily allowances up to 200 percent of the statutory minimum at the discretion of the seconding officer or when this is stipulated in a collective labor agreement or in an agreement with a trade union organization of civil servants. Per diems will not be paid only when a full-day free meal is used at the place of the business trip, and accommodation allowances - when free accommodation is used, the regulation also states. The last change in the amount of the daily business allowance was on January 1, 2008, when it was set at BGN 20. This amount does not correspond to the growth of inflation in recent years.
With the changes, even when using a personal car, business travelers will be paid travel expenses equal to the value of the fuel consumed according to cost norms determined by the manufacturer of the motor vehicle, for a combined traffic mode - urban and extra-urban. Currently, the regulation stipulates that the road money is based on the cost of the motor vehicle for the most economical mode of movement, i.e. only for extra-urban traffic, which leads to the impossibility of covering the real costs.
It is regulated that when an employee is posted for more than 1 month, the employer is obliged, at his request, to allow him once a month, during one of the days off and holidays, to return to the place of his permanent work, paying the travel expenses.
Another change provides that the persons who travel as suppliers, suppliers, couriers, distributors and others, where the nature of the work is related to travel between different settlements, are not considered posted. The provision in force at the moment specifies that those persons who travel as placers of materials, goods, production and in other cases under civil contracts are not considered posted.
The posting order will now be able to be created as an electronic document. The obligation in it to determine the need to prepare a report is repealed, while the obligation to determine the type of report for the work performed remains.
