site.btaEducation Ministry Implements 2,457 Projects Financed by Recovery and Resilience Plan

The Ministry of Education and Science is implementing 2,457 projects under four investments financed by the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP), the Ministry's press service reported in response to a question from BTA.

The first investment under the name "Centres for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) and Innovation in Education (STEM Centres)" includes two procedures. A new building for the National STEM Centre and three off-site bases in universities affiliated with the regional STEM centres are being constructed under the first procedure, which is dedicated to establishing the National STEM Centre as well as regional ones. The second procedure carries the name "School STEM Environment" and involves 2,227 contracts with schools to introduce a STEM environment and well-equipped technology classrooms.

The second investment entitled "Modernization of Educational Infrastructure" includes five procedures, under which 195 contracts have been signed for a total value of EUR 326,223,243. Under this investment, 128 contracts are being implemented to modernize 79 schools and 49 kindergartens. Under "Repair and Rehabilitation of Dormitories in the School Education System", there are 32 contracts for the renovation of student dormitories. Under the "Construction of New School and Kindergarten Buildings" programme, four contracts have been signed with final beneficiaries for the implementation of 11 educational projects in the areas of Burgas, Varna, and Sofia. Under "Construction of Centres for Excellence in Vocational Education and Training", 28 contracts are being implemented with vocational schools. Three contracts are being implemented for the construction of facilities on the premises of the University of Telecommunications and Post (UTP), University of National and World Economy (UNWE), and Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski.

Under the third investment, "Youth Centres", 19 youth centres are being built and renovated in 19 cities and a National Focal Center has been established.

The fourth investment is the Programme for Support of Scientific Research and Innovation. Under its procedures "Creation of a Network of Research Universities in Bulgaria" and "Creation of a Network of Research Universities in Bulgaria 2", projects for the implementation of strategic research and innovation programmes are being carried out by ten research universities. Under "Building Links (Twinning)", three contracts are being implemented with Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski, Technical University of Sofia, University of Library Studies and Information Technologies as final beneficiaries, in accordance with the projects evaluated by the European Commission under the Horizon Europe framework programme.

Will STEM centres be established in all schools in the country, and how many of them have already been opened?

The construction of STEM centres and well equipped technology classrooms covers 2,227 contracts worth EUR 285,664,590. All projects are at an advanced stage of implementation, with 1,076 contracts with schools across the country having achieved over 90% financial implementation.

According to information provided by regional departments of education, nearly 500 STEM centres have already been opened. By May 31, 2026, all STEM centres, numbering over 2,200, should be built.

What is the current level of construction and equipment of the National STEM Centre in Sofia and the regional STEM centres in the country?

The National STEM Centre in Sofia is currently under construction, with a completion date of May 31, 2026. Procedures for the award and implementation of public procurement contracts for equipment are currently underway.

The regional STEM centres in the country are undergoing renovation, with completion scheduled for May 31, 2026 according to the approved timetable.

How many research universities are there in Bulgaria, and do they receive funding under the RRP?

Funds from the RRP are used to finance ten research universities that implement strategic research and innovation programmes for development. They implement projects under the "Scientific Research and Innovation" Component, "Programme for Support of Scientific Research and Innovation" Investment, "Creation of a Network of Research Universities in Bulgaria" procedure.

The ten research universities funded under the RRP are Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski, Medical University Sofia, Technical University of Sofia, Medical University Plovdiv, Medical University Varna, Paisii Hilendarski University of Plovdiv, University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy, Medical University Pleven, Trakia University in Stara Zagora, Angel Kanchev University of Ruse.

The activities that are funded are those of scientific groups of leading researchers or invited researchers for conducting scientific and applied scientific research aimed at purchasing equipment, materials and consumables, among others. Funding is also available for international cooperation activities, such as visits to organizations or companies abroad and visits by foreign researchers to Bulgarian universities for the purpose of cooperation, short-term specializations of researchers abroad, participation in conferences, seminars, and others. Funding is available for internal research projects with potential for innovation or knowledge transfer; intellectual property protection and technology transfer, including participation in training on these topics.

In December 2025, the UTP began construction of the first academic campus in Sofia with RRP funds. Are there plans to build other academic campuses at other universities?

Under the "Education and Skills" component, the "Modernization of Educational Infrastructure" investment is implementing the "Campus Construction" procedure. The final beneficiaries are three higher education institutions. The UTP has concluded contracts for engineering, construction, and author supervision, a building permit was obtained on November 20, 2025, and the activities are being implemented.

The UNWE has concluded contracts for engineering, construction, and author supervision, a building permit has been issued, and the activities are being implemented. Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski has prepared an investment project for the site, a building permit has been obtained, and the activities are being implemented.