site.btaBTA's Europe on Balkans Conference Held in Troyan

Representatives of various sectors who have worked on projects supported by the EU Cohesion Policy participated in a conference at the National Press Club of the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) in Troyan on Friday. The event was part of BTA's "Europe on Balkans: Cohesion Skills" project.

Troyan is an example in the European Union for the preservation and development of the national identity, which is the basis of diversity in the unity of the EU, said BTA Director General Kiril Valchev. He emphasized that it is precisely unity in diversity that presents the EU as a continent with many different traditions and languages, but also with common values. Optimism for the EU's future comes from the glorious centuries-old traditions of its peoples, and not from their denial, Valchev pointed out. He emphasized that Troyan is of important cultural and historical significance for Bulgaria and it contributes to the diversity of the EU, pointing out that the Troyan Monastery is one of the three stauropegial monasteries and spiritual centres of Bulgaria and that the region has given symbols for Bulgaria in artistic crafts, such as Troyan ceramics. He added that another symbol that Troyan gives the EU is in cuisine, with the locally grown plums, to which a festival is dedicated.

Lovech Regional Governor Dora Stoyanova said that Lovech Region is the heart of Bulgaria, just like Bulgaria is the heart of Europe and the Balkans. She underscored that the contribution of Lovech Region is in historical and culinary tourism, as well as in the revival of twinning of towns as Troyan, Lovech and Teteven have done. Stoyanova noted that these are local mechanisms through which people who live and work in the region can learn new things and exchange experiences. "When it comes to international participation, we can offer culinary and historical tourism, which are extremely interesting for everyone," she pointed out.

Apriltsi Mayor Tihomir Kukenski said that the Municipality is implementing projects worth BGN 8 million. “In practice, European funds are the financial injection that makes it possible to revive small settlements, such as Apriltsi. Over the past year, we have started many projects, some of which are in an advanced phase, others are in the process of implementation,” Kukenski emphasised. He noted that with BGN 3.2 million of European funding, a new Home for the Elderly will be built in Apriltsi, since the existing building does not meet the requirements for providing a normal environment for the elderly. He also said that several social projects for the care of the elderly are being developed and implemented, worth over BGN 200,000.

Troyan Municipality administers 17 EU-backed projects worth over BGN 21 million, said Troyan Deputy Mayor Nikolay Raykovski. He pointed out that the European funds are of great importance as additional financing for the implementation of important infrastructure projects for the Municipality, in which the municipal administration already has significant practice and experience. “One of the leading initiatives of the European Commission is the so-called Green Deal, aimed at measures in the field of climate. Considering the importance of energy efficiency and security for all sectors of socio-economic life, we have developed an Energy Sustainability Programme for Troyan Municipality, which is currently being implemented. (It is) a strategic document reflecting our commitment to sustainable development and energy efficiency,” Raykovski emphasised.

In Troyan Municipality, 23 projects have been implemented or are in the process of being implemented during the 2021-2027 programming period, said Regional Information Centre Exprt Mariana Bandrova. She added that there are 20 beneficiaries of these projects in Troyan and that their total value is BGN 16 million. 11 contracts have been concluded under the Operational Programme Human Resources Development, which are worth over BGN 3 million, she noted. 10 contracts in the Municipality are under the Operational Programme Competitiveness and Innovation in Enterprises, with the total value of the projects being BGN 11 million, she said. The expert also pointed out that four contracts worth a total of BGN 500,000 have been concluded in Apriltsi Municipality, three of which are under the same programme.

Ivelina Radevska-Stoimenova, Director of the Labor Bureau Directorate in Troyan and Apriltsi, said that the Employment Agency is actively involved in the implementation of projects financed under the Human Resources Development Programme and the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, which promote digital literacy, upskilling and retraining of unemployed and employed people in the dynamically changing economic environment. Radevska noted that the trainings are implemented by providing vouchers to people from target groups, who can choose the training organization and the format of the training. She added that after the changes adopted by the Council of Ministers, the trainings can be held at a time convenient for people, which will allow more interested parties to join them.

In the programming period 2014-2020, 33 residential buildings and six public buildings were renovated in Troyan on EU funding, said Vera Dobreva-Sabotinova, Director of the Directorate Analysis, Planning and Projects at Troyan Municipality. The total funding is over BGN 12 million, she said, adding that at the end of 2024, seven contracts for grant aid were signed under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan for the renovation of seven more residential buildings, for a total value of over BGN 9.4 million. Dobreva pointed out that with the financial support of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, the Municipality is also implementing two projects for the rehabilitation and modernization of outdoor artificial lighting systems on the territory of almost all settlements of the municipality. The investment is for over BGN 2 million.

BTA's Europe on Balkans: Cohesion Skills project aims to raise public awareness and foster open dialogue about cohesion policy, local achievements, and the implementation of the EU's policy priorities. The project kicked off with a conference in Veliki Preslav in November 2024. The schedule of conferences until the end of September 2025 includes events in the following cities: Blagoevgrad, Burgas, Varna, Veliko Tarnovo, Vidin, Vratsa, Gabrovo, Dobrich, Kazanlak, Kardzhali, Kyustendil, Lovech, Montana, Pazardzhik, Pernik, Pleven, Razgrad, Ruse, Samokov, Svishtov, Sliven, Smolyan, Sofia, Stara Zagora, Troyan, Targovishte, Haskovo, Shumen, and Yambol. Cross-border conferences will be held in Belgrade, Bosilegrad, Bucharest, Edirne, Skopje, and Thessaloniki. The project builds on the Europe in the Balkans: A Common Future and Europe in Bulgaria: A Common Future projects, implemented by BTA in 2023 and 2024, respectively.