site.btaDraft National Spatial Development Concept Seeks to Reduce Regional Disparities and Promote Balanced Growth Across Bulgaria

The draft National Concept for Regional and Spatial Development of the Republic of Bulgaria for 2026-2040 (NCRSD) envisages reducing territorial disparities and achieving more balanced, competitive and sustainable development across all regions, with improved living standards and access to quality services for all citizens, the Council of Ministers said in a press release on Wednesday.

The strategic document was developed by the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works with funding from the Regions in Development Programme 2021-2027. It sets out a long-term vision, objectives and priorities for the development of the country's entire territory and builds on the previous concept covering the 2013-2025 period, introducing new tools and measures tailored to contemporary challenges, including demographic change, regional disparities and the accelerated green and digital transitions in the EU.

The NCRSD sets out four strategic objectives: territorial cohesion, economic cohesion, social cohesion and growth, and environmental sustainability. Its structure has been streamlined compared with the previous National Concept for Spatial Development 2013-2025, with the aim of providing greater clarity and facilitating the implementation of regional development policy.

The concept takes into account the ongoing process of changing the configuration of Bulgaria's Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics (NUTS) 2 planning regions, which is expected to be completed in early 2027. This is intended to ensure that the proposed territorial models, priorities and indicators are compatible with the new configuration and provide a stable basis for future regional strategies and programmes.

Under the new structure, Bulgaria will be divided into four NUTS 2 planning regions – Northern, Eastern, Southern and Capital. The change is seen as a step toward improving the effectiveness of the regional development system and reflects the state's effort to establish an appropriate legal and policy framework for regional development. The new division is also expected to create conditions for more precise and targeted policies in investment, infrastructure and innovation.

Reducing the number of NUTS 2 regions and consolidating territories with similar characteristics is expected to contribute to more efficient planning and resource management, reduce disparities within regions, and enhance their competitiveness and sustainability in both a national and European context.

According to the Council of Ministers, territorial cohesion aims to strengthen the network of urban centres, improve connectivity and functional integration between territories, and promote more active participation by Bulgarian regions in European and cross-border areas.

Economic cohesion will seek to promote economic growth and more effective use of the regions' endogenous potential through investment, innovation and higher productivity, with a focus on narrowing economic disparities.

Social cohesion and growth aim to reduce social inequalities, address adverse demographic trends and improve unequal access to services through human capital development and improvements in the quality of the living environment.

Environmental sustainability places emphasis on integrating climate and environmental considerations as a horizontal principle across all policies with a territorial dimension.

The concept will play a key role in programming cohesion policy after 2027 and in shaping national strategic priorities for territorial development, the Council of Ministers said. Priorities include investment in people, regions and institutions; support for regional cohesion; reducing disparities between regions; education, skills and social inclusion.

The ambition is for the Sofia region to establish itself as a leading centre in Southeastern Europe, while the remaining regions are expected to move closer to European standards.

Particular attention is given to territorial cohesion through effective links between regions, improved transport and digital connectivity, and sustainable use of natural, cultural and human resources. Strategic coordination between the different levels of government – national, regional and local, is envisaged. The concept also promotes regional and cross-border cooperation, a stronger territorial dimension in sectoral policies, cross-sectoral coordination, development of a polycentric model based on a hierarchy of urban centres, and effective implementation of the integrated territorial approach.

The concept incorporates policies including integrated spatial planning, which entails incorporating territorial considerations into all sectoral policies; equal development opportunities for all citizens; support for green technologies and the circular economy; reductions in carbon emissions; resource efficiency; and the management of environmental, landscape and cultural assets within a territorial context.

A system of monitoring indicators has also been developed, covering demographic, socioeconomic, infrastructure, environmental and spatial factors. It will allow progress toward the objectives for 2030 and 2040 to be monitored and enable timely adjustments where necessary.

Potential sources of funding include the state budget, municipal budgets, private funds, EU funds, financial instruments and international financial institutions. Specific resources will be outlined in strategic planning documents at regional and municipal level.