By the decision of the European Commission from 22 November 2022, the Bulgaria-Serbia Cross-Border Cooperation Programme INTERREG VI-A IPP 2021-2027 was approved.
Over EUR 38 million will be invested over the next 7 years in the following areas: Vidin, Montana, Vraca, Pernik, Kyustendil, and Sofia on the territory of Bulgaria, as well as in the districts: Bor, Zaječar, Pirot, Niš, Toplica, Jablanica and Pčinja on the territory of Serbia.
The largest part of the programming budget, over EUR 23 million, is aimed at investments in integrated territorial development, with a focus on the specific needs of the region. Within this priority, projects in the field of tourism, projects related to adaptation to climate change, projects to increase the competitiveness of SMEs and create jobs, and projects to expand economic activity to new market values and products will be supported.
The strategic project of the programme is related to the preparation of the population for a modern response to disasters – fires and floods. More than EUR 8 million will be invested in the training of expert teams and volunteers, the exchange of experiences, the strengthening of institutional capacities, and the delivery of special equipment for the regional departments of the DG “Fire Safety and Population Protection” of the Ministry of Interior of Bulgaria, as well as the Sector for Emergency Situations of the Ministry of Interior of Serbia.
17% of the programme’s total budget is intended to support SMEs in activities aimed at increasing the competitiveness of enterprises and access to new jobs within priority 1 “Competitive border region”.
You can find all the documentation and the decision of the Commission at the following link: http://www.ipacbc-bgrs.eu/sr/2020-media-news
