site.btaMunicipal Investment Programme May Be Used for Projects to Repair Water Supply Network – Public Works Minister Ivanov
In 2026, the municipal investment programme may be used for projects to repair the water supply network, particularly in populated areas where problems have been identified, said here on Monday Ivan Ivanov, Minister of Regional Development and Public Works, during the plenary session “Financial Horizon 2026+” at the Annual Meeting of Local Authorities, held in the Albena resort complex. The event was organised by the National Association of Municipalities in the Republic of Bulgaria.
“This could be an extremely effective mechanism for solving such problems, especially in small settlements. If you have the opportunity and the desire to overcome existing issues, in the 2026 budget you can redirect part of your projects in that direction,” said Ivanov.
From January 2024 to date, in connection with the municipal projects investment programme, the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works has received 2,984 applications for project funding. A total of 2,260 agreements have been signed, along with 180 project agreements, the Minister said. By 10 October 2025, transfers under 729 agreements totalling BGN 951,576,371 had been made from the Ministry to municipalities, including transfers made during 2024, Ivanov added.
“The new 2026 budget presents us with a number of challenges, one of which is the municipal investment programme,” Ivanov added. “European funds are a serious mechanism that enables municipalities to implement their programmes,” he further noted. “When it comes to energy efficiency, work is being carried out very intensively. My appeal to municipalities is to be meticulous with their documentation and to submit it on time so that colleagues in the relevant directorates can process it and make the necessary payments,” he said.
“With regard to the Recovery and Resilience Plan, there has indeed been progress. You know that we have specific deadlines by which energy efficiency projects must be completed,” the Minister stated. According to him, delays have been observed in municipal projects involving public buildings, and he urged that the process be accelerated, since the deadline is June 2026. “This is extremely concerning, as there are cases where projects have not even started to this day,” he added.
He called on municipalities to be more proactive, particularly regarding funds received from the European Union. “These are grants, and they should be among the main priorities in your investment programmes,” Ivanov addressed mayors.
/КТ/
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