A.SCOPE AND OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

Bulgaria-Turkey IPA Cross Border Programme is one of the CBC programmes where the Directorate for EU Affairs acts as the National Authority. The Programme is co-financed through the new target of ‘European Regional Cooperation' by the European Regional Development Fund and Pre-Accession Instrument. The overall objective is to achieve balanced sustainable development built upon the key strengths of the Bulgaria-Türkiye cross-border co-operation area in contribution to stronger European co-operation and integration.

Managing Authority of the Programme is the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works of the Republic of Bulgaria and the National Authority is the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Foreign Affairs Directorate for EU Affairs. The eligible cross-border co-operation area covers the districts of Bourgas, Yambol and Haskovo on the Bulgarian side and provinces of Edirne and Kırklareli on the Türkiye side. Joint Technical Secretariat (JTS-main office), which conducts informative campaigns and assists the programme management bodies in carrying out their respective duties, is based in Haskovo (Bulgaria). and the antenna office of the JTS that operates in parallel to the main office is based in Edirne.

B. 2007-2013 BUDGET PERIOD

Specific objectives to be achieved by the grant projects are as follows:

• To boost sustainable economic development in cooperation areas built on comparative advantages.

• To improve overall social development and promote social cohesion among people and communities.

• To improve the quality of life by efficient use of common natural resources as well as protection of natural, cultural and historical heritage values.

In order to achieve the overall objectives of the programme, three priority axes should be taken into account when preparing a project:

1. Sustainable Social and Economic Development

2. Improvement the Quality of Life

3. Technical Assistance

The programme budget for the 2007-2013 period is 32 million Euro as 27 million Euro from the EU fund and 4.8 million Euro from the national funds of two countries. Within the scope of IPA CBC Bulgaria-Turkey Programme, 138 projects amounting to 26 million Euro, were completed by 31.12.2016.

C. 2014-2020 BUDGET PERIOD

The budget allocated to the cross-border cooperation programme between Bulgaria and Türkiye during the 2014-2020 period is 29.642.894,12 Euro, and 25.196.460 Euro of this amount will be funded by the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA II). The remaining budget, coming in equal amounts from the national co-financing of Bulgaria and Türkiye will comprise the 15% of the approved project budgets.

The First Call for Proposals under Interreg-IPA CBC Bulgaria – Turkey Programme 2014 – 2020 was launched on 16.11.2015 and the project proposals were received until 16.03.2016. Within the scope of the First Call for Proposals, 43 projects amounting to around 10 million Euro were contracted.

Second Call for Proposal under the Programme was launched on 10.01.2018 and 86 out of the total submitted 130 projects proposals successfully passed the administrative and eligibility check, which is the first step of Project selection. In the aftermath of the first step, technical assessment of the projects, which is the second step of the selection was concluded. For the time being, the projects are in the ratification process. The selected projects are planned to be implemented in the first half of 2019.

D. 2021-2027 BUDGET PERIOD

The Priority Objectives of the Programme set according to the characteristics and needs of the cross border area are below:

A Greener and low-carbon Europe

-Promoting energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions

-Promoting the transition to a circular and resource efficient economy

A Europe closer to citizens

-Fostering the integrated and inclusive social, economic and environmental local development, culture, natural heritage, sustainable

A safer and more secure Europe

- Mobility and migration management

The total budget of the Programme for 2021-2027 is  34,4 million Avro. 29,2 million Euro of which  from the EU fund and 5,2 million Euro from the total national funds of two countries.

E. FURTHER INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS

Potential beneficiaries, who would like to apply for grant under the Programme, are able to obtain detailed information by visiting the official web site of the Programme: http://www.ipacbc-bgtr.eu/ 

For most up-to date announcements about the Programme:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BgTr_IPACBC 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BulgariaTurkey