In the current programming period, Northern Bulgaria is in focus of the EU funds, Ivan Popov, Executive Director of the Programme Education Executive Agency 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 stated that under the Education Programme, which is co-financed by the European Social Fund Plus, about BGN 780 million, or 40% of the budget, have been agreed upon. "This year we plan to open another BGN 1 billion for Bulgarian education. Two procedures have been announced, aimed at adult literacy and desegregation in schools," Popov emphasised, adding that support for the dual education system will continue as well.
“During the current programming period, we also want to scale up some of the national programmes of the Education and Science Ministry and with BGN 17 million we will support the inter-institutional mechanism for the coverage of children and students of preschool and school age for inclusion in compulsory education,” Popov stressed. He noted that two very important projects are about to start, which aim at changing Bulgaria's educational model from a system of lagging behind to a system that develops the skills and competence of children and students.
One project worth BGN 246 million is aimed at the digital transformation of school education and will upgrade the digital backpack with accessible, free educational digital content, Popov said. The second important project is aimed at the effective implementation of the competency model in teaching, but also in testing. It is planned to create professional school communities and change the curricula and programmes, he noted.
Another procedure for BGN 35 million aims to prepare Roma children for taking the State Matura exam and applying to higher education, Popov said.
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.
