site.btaMunicipalities to Receive Transport Connectivity Funding under Social Climate Fund, Agriculture and Food Minister Says

Bulgaria will receive over EUR 2 billion from the Social Climate Fund, and the question is how to utilize these resources most effectively, Agriculture and Food Minister Georgi Tahov said during a plenary session titled Financial Horizon 2026 and held as part of the Annual Meeting of Local Authorities in Albena on Monday. The event was organized by the National Association of Municipalities in the Republic of Bulgaria.

The Agriculture Ministry is leading the transport sector component, Tahov added, noting that municipalities across the country will be able to access funds for purchasing electric vehicles, building a charging infrastructure, improving transport connectivity, and covering transport costs for vulnerable groups.

“We have gathered information from 116 municipalities, which is helping us structure this measure. We are close to finalizing the details,” Tahov said.

He added that the ministry continues to invest substantial public funds in rural infrastructure. For the 2023-2027 period, over BGN 1 billion has been allocated to all 215 rural municipalities in Bulgaria, Tahov said. Projects financed include road and water supply improvements, sewerage network upgrades, and energy efficiency renovations for public buildings. Tahov said that the ministry’s approach that includes guaranteed budgets is highly effective, ensuring that every municipality has access to resources and criteria are clear and objective. The Minister noted that over 700 project proposals worth a total of EUR 432 million have been submitted by 201 municipalities. A total of 500 proposals have already been approved, with the rest currently under review, Tahov added.

The Minister also spoke of the Community-Led Local Development (CLLD) approach. “We have approved the concept, launched it, and are working on it,” Tahov said, noting that 115 local action groups, involving 218 municipalities, are already participating. The assessment of their strategies will be completed in the near future, he said.