site.btaSocial Ministry to Fund 54 Projects for Accessible Home Environment for 91 People with Disabilities

The Ministry of Labour and Social Policy will finance 54 project proposals aimed at creating accessible environments in the homes of 91 people with permanent disabilities, the Ministry’s press centre said on Tuesday. The projects include installation of 53 stair lifts and six vertical lifts in residential buildings where wheelchair users live.

The total value of the approved projects is BGN 2,340,588. Funding is provided under Component 1 of the National Programme for Affordable Housing Environment and Personal Mobility in 28 municipalities. Each project is eligible for up to BGN 100,000 in support from the Ministry. In 2024, 73 people with permanent disabilities benefited from accessible environments in 54 buildings under the same programme component. In total, 65 facilities such as internal and external stair lifts, vertical lifts, and ramps were installed, with contracts exceeding BGN 2,360,200 for construction and renovation works.

Under Component 2 of the programme, focused on personal mobility, the Ministry is funding 18 projects worth BGN 132,880 in 2025. The funding covers car adaptations for people with permanent disabilities, installation of assistive equipment for wheelchair access in vehicles, or the purchase of vehicles already adapted. Applicants without a driving licence are eligible for support to complete driving courses.

In 2024, 17 projects worth BGN 130,120 were financed under this component. A total of 15 adapted cars were purchased, two vehicles were reconstructed, and four people obtained driving licenses.

Over 2,000 people with permanent disabilities will receive high-tech assistive devices through a Ministry project, announced on June 27. In the coming weeks, beneficiaries will receive certificates by mail, enabling them to choose a supplier from the official list to deliver the required device.