site.btaBulgarian Regions Display Pronounced Imbalances in Their Development - Report

EU co-financed programmes have made an indisputable contribution to Bulgaria’s socio-economic development and to regional convergence. At the same time, this country's regions display pronounced imbalances in their development, reflecting both perceivable advantages and long-standing challenges at the national level, according to the working version of the final report on the implementation of the National Spatial Development Concept (NSDC) 2013–2025, including its 2020 update. The report, along with a subsequent assessment of the NSDC’s implementation, has been published for public discussion.

Based on the regional competitiveness index, the assessment shows that the intended "progress toward moderate polycentrism" has been only partially achieved. Although the gap between the Southwest region and the other five planning regions has not narrowed, all regions have improved their competitiveness scores between 2016 and 2022. The report notes that while positive developments are evident, several challenges still need to be addressed.

The NSDC outlines Bulgaria’s long-term strategy for the development of its national territory and its connections with neighboring countries and regions. It takes into account existing international strategic documents on spatial planning, Bulgaria’s Maritime Spatial Plan, and national strategic sectoral development documents. The NSDC outlines long-term prospects and objectives for the spatial development of the national territory. The NSDC was last updated in 2020 to reflect changes in the regulatory framework governing regional development.