site.btaEC Representation Head Reviews Projects in Tundzha Municipality

Tundzha Municipality is a fine example of how EU funding can support the development of local communities, said the Head of the European Commission Representation in Bulgaria, Yordanka Chobanova, during a visit to this part of the country’s southeastern Yambol Region on Thursday. She toured facilities built with EU money in several local settlements.

Chobanova commented: “When European solidarity meets the dreams of the people, with the exceptional support of the Mayor of the Municipality, we see wonderful results.” She noted that the BGN 40 million-plus in EU funding invested in Tundzha Municipality has been utilized with ambition and a desire for change to make the area an attractive place for young people. “Good partnership and the bottom-up approach, which is based on the real needs of the people, are key to successful investment of EU resources and regional development,” she commented.

Tundzha Municipality Mayor Stancho Stavrev said that new funding mechanisms were discussed during Chobanova’s visit. They will be based on local needs, viewed from the perspective of EU goals and priorities. “We expect that this comprehensive approach will be less burdened by reporting paperwork and difficult application procedures, and EU funding will be more flexible while its focus remains on the needs of the local communities,” Stavrev said.