“78% of the funds under the INTERREG VI-A IPA Bulgaria – North Macedonia 2021-2027 Program, managed by the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works, have been agreed, which means that over 21 million euros are available to beneficiaries. For the remaining 5 million euros, the last call is about to be opened, which will achieve full agreement on the resources under the program“, said Deputy Minister of Regional Development and Public Works Yura Vitanova at the opening of the Fifth Meeting of the Monitoring Committee of the Bulgaria – North Macedonia.
This year, for the first time, under the Integrated Territorial Strategy of the programme, a call for applications is being launched for local micro, small and medium-sized enterprises to support technological modernisation, which will contribute to a greener, more digital and more competitive business. It is envisaged that the call will finance activities for the supply of new equipment, which will contribute to a greener, more digitalised and more competitive business. In addition, the acquisition of new knowledge and skills will be stimulated, as well as the development of innovative products and improved access to new markets through marketing, entrepreneurship and international cooperation. The communities of the cross-border region themselves prioritise and identify investments that meet their needs such as innovation and competitiveness in the region by improving mobility and connectivity, cross-border tourism products and strengthening cooperation. The call with a total budget of 4,990,345 euros will be published in early June this year.
The funding under the call is aimed at micro, small and medium-sized enterprises. Eligible candidates are those registered and operating in the cross-border region of Bulgaria and North Macedonia. In Bulgaria, these are the districts: Blagoevgrad, Kyustendil, Razlog, Nevestino, Dupnitsa, Kresna, Petrich, Strumyani, Sandanski, Gotse Delchev, Belitsa, Yakoruda. The scope of the program in North Macedonia includes: Delchevo, Gevgelija, Bogdantsi, Kriva Palanka, Staro Nagoricane, Vasilevo, Strumitsa, Berovo, Shtip, Probishtip, Makedonska Kamenica and Karbintsi.
In order to ensure full absorption of the funds under the program, a proposal for up to 15 percent over-negotiation of the resource was voted on. This measure will provide an opportunity for greater flexibility in management and will allow the financing of quality projects for which funds have not been received.
The meeting also noted the progress on the strategic project for the construction of a new border checkpoint Strumyani - Berovo between Bulgaria and the Republic of North Macedonia. It was reported that the contractors are working on the project with attention to environmental legislation, maintaining excellent communication with the institutions, including the Road Infrastructure Agency, on which the successful implementation of this long-awaited road depends. The project should be completed by the end of 2029.