European programmes in Bulgaria support the acquisition of knowledge and the development of skills to promote a sustainable economy and broad social responsibility, Regional Information Centre Manager Ignat Dimitrov said during a local conference as part of BTA's Europe on Balkans: Cohesion Skills project. The conference took place at the BTA National Press Club here on Wednesday.
He said that as of mid-April 2025, 126 projects are being implemented in Pleven Region with a total value of over BGN 216 million for the programming period 2021-2027, adding that the projects are co-financed by the European Social Fund +, the European Regional Development Fund, the Cohesion Fund and the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund. Of these, nearly BGN 200 million represent grants, and just over BGN 19 million have already been actually paid, Dimitrov noted, adding that in the programming period 2007-2013, projects worth BGN 213 million were implemented.
Dimitrov emphasized that the acquisition of knowledge and the development of skills are the essence of the Operational Programme Education and the Operational Programme Research, Innovation and Digitalization for Intelligent Transformation. He said that four projects in nine settlements in Pleven Region cover a number of schools, kindergartens and community centres, and include activities in museums and cultural institutions, theatre and dance performances, meetings with artists, and many more. The activities strengthen the educational integration of vulnerable groups, Dimitrov stressed.
He pointed out that the grant support of the Leonardo da Vinci Competence Centre at the Pleven Medical University continues as well, with nearly BGN 14.5 million guaranteed until the end of 2029. Funds for acquiring new knowledge and skills are also included in other programmes co-financed by the European Union, he noted, highlighting the Human Resources Development Programme, which is particularly important for both employed and unemployed people. In Pleven Region, 80 contracts for over BGN 25 million have been signed so far under the programme.
He added that 39 companies in the region will receive almost BGN 6 million from the programme for the development and implementation of green models of labour organization. The projects envisage measures to build a comprehensive environmentally friendly company culture and motivate the ecological thinking of the staff, introduce new models of teamwork and interaction between employees and create individual behavioural models for dealing with professional stress and negative emotions related to work.
Dimitrov also emphasized that the Competitiveness and Innovation in Enterprises Programme prioritizes the creation and development of innovative high-tech enterprises and encourages partnerships between companies for the development of the circular economy, with 26 projects currently being implemented in Pleven region.
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.
