FOR ENTREPRENUERS

  • The CIE is directly aimed at achieving intelligent and sustainable growth of the Bulgarian economy and the implementation of industrial and digital transformation. In the past, the program was called Operational Program “Innovation and Competitiveness” (OPIC for short).

    European projects to the Innovation and Competitiveness Program can be submitted in the following areas:


    1. A smarter Europe by promoting innovation and smart economic transformation
    2. A greener, lower-carbon Europe by promoting a clean and equitable energy transition, green and blue investments, a circular economy, adaptation to climate change and risk prevention and management
    3. A project for a smarter Europe by promoting an innovative and smarter economic transformation
    4. Innovation and growth of CIE 2021-2027
    5. Digitization
    6. Strengthening the capacity for research and innovation and the introduction of modern technologies
    7. Strengthening the growth and competitiveness of SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises), including through investment in manufacturing
    8. Promoting energy efficiency measures and reducing greenhouse gas emissions

European OPHRD programs are aimed to improve access to employment for all jobseekers, in particular young people and the long-term unemployed, as well as the inactive, by promoting self-employment and the social economy.

Applications for funding for European projects are accepted in the following areas:

  1. Promoting employment and skills development
  2. Social inclusion and equal opportunities
  3. Territorial investments
  4. Technical assistance

The Norwegian Financial Mechanism, as well as the European Economic Area Financial Mechanism, are instruments for contributing to European solidarity and cohesion, and for reducing social and economic disparities between European regions.

In the Rural Development Program (RDP 2017), the object of implementation of European projects are activities from the following sectors: agriculture and food, forest industry, processing industry, rural tourism, public sector – municipalities, regional administrations for public activities – infrastructure (roads, lighting, water cycles).

  • European projects are aimed at:
  • investments in organic production
  • programs for disadvantaged regions
  • start-up aid for young farmers
  • programs to support small farms and investment in farms
  • processing of agricultural products and non-agricultural activities.
  • Admission under measure 4.1 for tractors and agricultural machinery with a budget from the RDP 2014-2020

From April 19, the acceptance of applications for support under sub-measure 4.1 “Investments in agricultural holdings” of Measure 4 “Investments in tangible assets” of the Rural Development Program (RDP) 2014-2020 began. The total budget of the sub-measure procedure is BGN 422 218 104.

The minimum amount of aid for one applicant is BGN 29,337, and the maximum – up to BGN 2,933,700.

Preference is given to project proposals aimed at precise and environmentally friendly agriculture. Investments for activities in sensitive sectors – “Fruits and Vegetables”, “Livestock” and “Essential Oils and Medicinal Crops” will be supported. Priority will also be given to projects for irrigation of agricultural crops grown on farms. In pursuance of the priorities of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, young farmers will be supported, as well as activities related to improving the quality of agricultural products, as well as those providing opportunities to produce organic products.

The admission is aimed at investments for the introduction of new products, processes, and technologies in farms, as well as the renewal of production. Priority will be given to project proposals investing in innovative technologies for the economy, such as – innovative and digital manufacturing technologies, as well as automation of work processes in agriculture. The measure stimulates the promotion of cooperation between producers and processors of agricultural products. Priority is given to projects for environmental protection, improvement of working conditions, hygiene and others.

Horizon Europe will provide € 10 billion in financial support for research and innovation in the fields of food, agriculture and bioeconomy.

More European projects through LAGs in the villages under the RDP 2021-2027

More projects through Local Initiative Groups (LAGs) in the villages, as well as the establishment of a new CLLD directorate at the Ministry of Agriculture envisages MAFF (Ministry of Agriculture) for successful implementation of the new RDP 2021-2027.

The amount of EAFRD support will be up to 10% of the budget of the Strategic Plan for Agricultural and Rural Development.

It is planned to expand the territorial scope of the approach by increasing the number of local action groups.

Maritime and Fisheries Program – MFP

This is a program with a focus on aquaculture. Different measures finance various activities – from the production of stocking material to the purchase of machinery for cleaning, canning and packaging of fish and fish products.

Objectives of the program:

  • support for fishing vessel owners to overcome the economic consequences of Covid-19
  • supporting the preparation and implementation of production and marketing plans
  • support for fishery and aquaculture processors to overcome the economic consequences of Covid-19

Operational Programme “Science and Education for Smart Growth”

The aim of the program is to increase the effectiveness of partnerships between vocational schools and employers to improve students’ practical skills in the relevant specific needs of the labor market.

Support for medium-sized enterprises to overcome the economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic

The purpose of the procedure is to provide operating capital to medium-sized enterprises in Bulgaria to deal with the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. These enterprises are expected to continue their activities for at least 3 months after the completion of the project, as well as to keep the employment from the levels before receiving the support.

Support for micro and small enterprises to overcome the economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic

The total amount of the grant is BGN 173 million and covers all sectors of the Bulgarian economy (except for those supported by the Rural Development Programme).

Support for small businesses with a turnover of over BGN 500,000 to overcome the economic consequences of the COVID19 pandemic

The purpose of the procedure is to provide grants for Bulgarian small businesses that have achieved a turnover of over BGN 500,000 for 2019.

The list of rural municipalities set by the “National Plan for Development of Agriculture and Rural Areas” under the RDP includes all municipalities without settlement with a population of over 30,000 people.

How to define them – if there is no city in your municipality with more than 30,000 people, you are in a rural municipality. Such are 231 municipalities out of a total of 264, i.e., the most.

List of rural municipalities:

Blagoevgrad – Bansko, Belitsa, Gotse Delchev, Garmen, Kresna, Petrich, Razlog, Sandanski, Satovcha, Simitli, Strumyani, Hadjidimovo, Yakoruda;

Burgas – Aytos, Kameno, Karnobat, Malko Tarnovo, Nessebar, Pomorie, Primorsko, Ruen, Sozopol, Sredets, Sungurlare, Tsarevo;

Varna – Avren, Aksakovo, Beloslav, Byala – Varna, Vetrino, Valchi Dol, Devnya, Dolni Chiflik, Dalgopol, Provadia, Suvorovo;

Veliko Tarnovo – Elena, Zlataritsa, Lyaskovets, Pavlikeni, Polski Trambesh, Strazhitsa, Suhindol;

Vidin – Belogradchik, Boynitsa, Bregovo, Gramada, Dimovo, Kula, Makresh, Novo Selo, Ruzhintsi, Chuprene;

Vratsa – Borovan, Byala Slatina, Kozloduy, Krivodol, Mezdra, Mizia, Oryahovo, Roman, Hayredin;

Gabrovo – Dryanovo, Sevlievo, Tryavna;

Dobrich – Balchik, General Toshevo, Dobrich-rural, Kavarna, Krushari, Tervel, Shabla;

Kardzhali – Ardino, Dzhebel, Kirkovo, Krumovgrad, Momchilgrad, Chernoochene;

Kyustendil – Bobov dol, Boboshevo, Kocherinovo, Nevestino, Rila, Sapareva banya, Treklyano;

Lovech – Apriltsi, Letnitsa, Lukovit, Teteven, Troyan, Ugarchin, Yablanitsa;

Montana – Berkovitsa, Boychinovtsi, Brusartsi, Varshets, Vulchedrum, Georgi Damyanovo, Lom, Medkovets, Chiprovtsi, Yakimovo;

Pazardzhik – Batak, Belovo, Bratsigovo, Velingrad, Lesichevo, Panagyurishte, Peshtera, Rakitovo, Septemvri, Strelcha;

Pernik – Breznik, Zemen, Kovachevtsi, Radomir, Trun;

Pleven – Belene, Gulyantsi, Dolna Mitropolia, Dolni Dabnik, Iskar, Kneja, Levski, Nikopol, Pordim, Cherven Bryag;

Plovdiv – Brezovo, Kaloyanovo, Karlovo, Krichim, Kuklen, Lucky, Maritsa, Perushtitsa, Parvomay, Rakovski, Rodopi, Sadovo, Sopot, Stamboliyski, Saedinenie, Hissarya;

Razgrad – Zavet, Isperih, Kubrat, Loznitsa, Samuil, Tsar Kaloyan;

Ruse – Borovo, Byala – Ruse, Vetovo, Dve Mogili, Ivanovo, Slivo Pole, Tsenovo;

Silistra – Alfatar, Glavinitsa, Dulovo, Kaynardzha, Sitovo, Tutrakan;

Sliven – Kotel, Nova Zagora, Tvarditsa;

Smolyan – Banite, Borino, Devin, Dospat, Zlatograd, Madan, Nedelino, Rudozem, Chepelare;

Sofia region – Anton, Bozhurishte, Botevgrad, Godech, Gorna Malina, Dolna Banya, Dragoman, Elin Pelin, Etropole, Zlatitsa, Ihtiman, Koprivshtitsa, Kostenets, Kostinbrod, Mirkovo, Pirdop, Pravets, Samokov, Svoge, Slivlope, Chavdar;

Stara Zagora – Daskalovi Brothers, Gurkovo, Galabovo, Maglizh, Nikolaevo, Opan, Pavel Banya, Radnevo, Chirpan;

Targovishte – Antonovo, Omurtag, Opaka, Popovo;

Haskovo – Ivaylovgrad, Lyubimets, Madzharovo, Mineralni Bani, Svilengrad, Simeonovgrad, Stambolovo, Topolovgrad, Harmanli;

Shumen – Veliki Preslav, Venets, Varbitsa, Kaolinovo, Kaspichan, Nikola Kozlevo, Novi Pazar, Smyadovo, Hitrino;

Yambol – Bolyarovo, Elhovo, Straldzha, Tundzha.