site.btaSocial Policy Ministry Extends Measure Providing Lunch for Some 70,000 People in Need

Providing food for around 70,000 people in need will continue after September 30, following the securing of funding under Social Policy Ministry's Food and Basic Material Support Programme, the Ministry's press centre said on Thursday. The support measure is extended until January 31, 2026, and will not be interrupted during the winter months.

The funds for the extension of the Programme have been secured thanks to the quick response of municipalities in reporting accumulated savings. Funds for flexibility have been allocated and released by the European Commission as part of the mid-term review of the EU-co-funded programme to finance the service. The Food and Basic Material Support Programme has a completely exhausted budget. In order to ensure the continuation of activities after January 31, the Social Assistance Agency, as the Managing Authority, is continuing its efforts to attract additional financial resources, the Ministry said.

At the end of June, Labour and Social Policy Minister Borislav Gutsanov met with European Commission Executive Vice President Roxana Minzatu, to whom he insisted on the continuation of the cooked lunch service. Minzatu confirmed the need to support people at risk of poverty and social exclusion and the important role that European social funds play in supporting people in their daily lives.