EC approves Greece-Bulgaria programme

Nearly 84 million euros will be invested in the border areas of the two countries

The European Commission has approved the Cross-border Cooperation Programme (Interreg VI-A) Greece-Bulgaria 2021-2027. Through the programme, the two neighbouring countries will be able to invest nearly 84 million euros in joint projects for the development of the border regions. Of this, €67 million is provided by the European Regional Development Fund.

The programme will accept projects under three priorities: ‘A more sustainable and greener cross-border region’, ‘A more accessible cross-border region’, ‘A more inclusive cross-border region’. Interventions are eligible in four Bulgarian regions - Blagoevgrad, Smolyan, Haskovo and Kardzhali, and seven Greek regions - Evros, Xanthi, Rhodopes, Drama, Kavala, Thessaloniki and Serres. Beneficiaries can be national, regional and local authorities, universities, research centres, associations, NGOs, civic associations and networks, etc.

Bulgaria plans to channel around 30 million euros to develop two strategic infrastructure projects. One is the preparation of a technical design and investment study for the modernisation of the Radomir - Kulata railway line. The second envisages the completion of the main road communication of Smolyan, which will take the heavy traffic to the border checkpoints with Greece at Rudozem and Zlatograd.

On the Greek side, the project plans to upgrade the remaining parts of the road section - from the border to Xanthi, along with digital infrastructure measures and equipment with border control and security systems along the route.

€35 million is earmarked for joint projects on disaster and emergency response, support for green infrastructure and circular economy, and pollution reduction.

An important measure in the programme is the support for small and medium-sized enterprises, which will have access to EU funds to promote circular and green economy, stimulate the business-education link, etc.

 Projects to develop tourism and cultural exchanges will also be funded. A new measure is the possibility to support micro or family enterprises and social cooperatives working in the field of culture and tourism.