EU PROGRAMS

INTERPROJECT Ltd. offers its clients a wide portfolio of services, providing peace of mind and confidence to candidates that their investment ideas will be realized through co-financing under the Structural Funds.

The services provided by the INTERPROJECT Ltd. team include:

• Constant monitoring and analysis of current opportunities for grant funding with European funds;
• Free initial consultation to determine the opportunities for application and provide up-to-date information on the specific requirements and procedures for project implementation;
• Discussion of the client’s ideas and analysis of the business processes in the company that will apply for funding, through the prism of the requirements of the specific measure/procedure under the relevant operational program;
• Development of feasibility studies and business plans for the purposes of applying for European operational programs and according to the relevant regulatory requirements;
• Preparation of all necessary application documentation according to the requirements of the financing program;
• Defense of the investment project before the responsible institutions;
• Assistance (if necessary) in ensuring the necessary co-financing of the project by the client;
• Preparation of documents for changing the contract or its annexation, as well as for receiving advance, interim and final grant payments.
• Management and monitoring of approved projects until their final implementation in accordance with the specific requirements and rules.

Regardless of whether you are still hesitating or have already decided to apply for any of the EU operational programs, the consultants of INTERPROJECT Ltd. will provide you with information completely free of charge about all open measures/procedures at the moment, will inform you whether you are an eligible candidate, and will inform you whether the activities you plan to carry out are subject to subsidy. You will be informed about the amount of the grant and the deadline for application, as well as the documents that should be completed. And if you decide to trust us, we will be by your side all the way from the initial idea to its practical implementation.

The operational programs on which you can receive competent advice from our experts are the following:

 

1. OPERATIONAL PROGRAMME “HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT”

The Operational Programme “Human Resources Development” 2021-2027 (OP HRD) has two main areas of impact – support for the labour market and skills development and social inclusion. Over € 1,21 billion will be directed towards measures to promote employment. Opportunities for qualification, training, subsidised employment, validation of skills, etc. will be available to 258 thousand unemployed people. The second main priority of the HRD 2021-2027 for social inclusion of vulnerable groups is aimed at supporting children and the elderly, people with disabilities and people unable to care for themselves in the family and in the community.

There is a decline in the activity of young people on the labour market across Europe due to the corona crisis. Therefore, Special Measures for Youth, related to training, skills acquisition, inclusion in internships and others providing more job opportunities, will be supported with € 374 million.

 

2. OPERATIONAL PROGRAMME „INNOVATION AND COMPETITIVENESS“

During the 2021-2027 programming period, the funds under the „Competitiveness and Innovation in Enterprises“ (CIE) programme are aimed at achieving the following objectives:

• Strengthening the capacity for RESEARCH and INNOVATION and the introduction of modern technologies. The main target groups of support are: micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, with priority given to enterprises carrying out activities that are part of the EU’s Strategic Value Chains: Clean, connected and autonomous vehicles; Smart health; Industrial Internet of Things; Cybersecurity.
• Promoting the DIGITALIZATION of business. The main target groups of support are: micro, small and medium-sized enterprises
• Strengthening the GROWTH AND COMPETITIVENESS OF SMEs. The main target groups of support are micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, industry/employer organizations, institutions, agencies in support of business and improvement of the business environment, industrial parks.
• Improving ENERGY EFFICIENCY. The main target groups under this specific objective are: micro, small, medium and large enterprises with the potential to implement energy efficiency measures.
• Promoting the transition to a CIRCULAR ECONOMY. The main target groups under this specific objective are: micro, small and medium-sized enterprises from all sectors of the economy, incl. enterprises that carry out activities with waste (pre-treatment).

 

3. OPERATIONAL PROGRAMME “SCIENCE AND EDUCATION FOR SMART GROWTH”

Priority objectives of the programme:

• Strengthening research, technological development and innovation:
• Investment in education, training, including vocational training for skills acquisition and lifelong learning:
• Promoting social inclusion, combating poverty and all forms of discrimination:

The programme envisages activities by implementing software solutions and artificial intelligence for monitoring educational outcomes. Digital educational content will be expanded, the digital competence and skills of pedagogical specialists, students and parents will be increased. The effective implementation of the competence model will be supported by introducing school methodological action plans for the development of key competences. The introduction of innovative curricula and content will be encouraged and the manifestation of students’ talents will be supported, especially in more remote areas of the country.

 

4. RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

• Stimulating innovation, cooperation and the development of the knowledge base in rural areas;
• Improving the economic performance of all agricultural holdings;
• Facilitating the restructuring and modernisation of holdings, in particular with a view to increasing market participation and orientation and diversification in agriculture;
• Facilitating the entry of farmers with appropriate qualifications into the agricultural sector, in particular intergenerational continuity;
• Improving the competitiveness of primary producers by better integrating them into the agricultural and food chain through quality schemes that add value to agricultural products, the promotion of local markets and short supply chains, producer groups and organisations and interbranch organisations;
• Restoring, protecting and enhancing biodiversity, including in Natura 2000 areas and in areas with natural or other specific constraints and high nature value agriculture, as well as the state of European landscapes;
• Improving water management, including the management of fertilisers and pesticides.

 

5. OPERATIONAL PROGRAMME DEVELOPMENT OF REGIONS 2021-2027

The Operational Programme „Development of Regions“ 2021-2027 is an integrated operational programme, financed by the European Union (EU) through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and from the state budget of the Republic of Bulgaria, aimed at regional development and achieving the goals of urban policy in Bulgaria.

OPRD finances activities that aim to ensure balance in cities and contribute to achieving sustainable urban development, creating favourable conditions for improving the quality of life and new jobs in cities.

 

6. MARITIME, FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE PROGRAMME 2021-2027

The Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Programme 2021-2027 (MFAF) was approved by the European Commission on 23 November 2022. It has been developed in accordance with the provisions and requirements of Regulation (EU) 2021/1060 laying down common provisions on the European Funds and Regulation (EU) 2021/1139 establishing the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund.

The total budget under the program is € 118 667 743, of which € 83 067 420 or 70% is provided by the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFF) and € 35 600 323 or 30% is co-financing from the state budget (SB) of the Republic of Bulgaria.

 

7. HORIZON EUROPE

Horizon Europe is the EU’s flagship research and innovation funding programme. Following the decision on the mid-term review (MTR) of the Multiannual Financial Framework, the indicative funding for Horizon Europe for the period 2021-2027 is €93.5 billion.

The programme facilitates cooperation and strengthens the impact of research and innovation in the development, support and implementation of EU policies, while addressing global challenges. It supports the creation and better dissemination of excellent knowledge and technologies.

It creates jobs, fully engages the EU talent pool, stimulates economic growth, promotes industrial competitiveness and optimises investment impact within a strengthened European Research Area.

Beneficiaries under Horizon Europe may be SMEs, large enterprises, NGOs, EU public authorities, research organisations and other legal entities, depending on the EU programme and associated countries.

 

8. INTERREG

INTERREG is a key initiative of the European Union that connects countries, regions and communities through a series of funding programmes promoting cross-border, transnational, interregional and outermost cooperation. By supporting projects that address common challenges and offer sustainable solutions, Interreg tackles regional disparities while promoting economic, social and environmental development across Europe.

For the period 2021-2027, the programme’s priorities focus on critical issues such as tackling climate change, advancing the digital transformation and promoting social inclusion. Bulgarian legal entities can participate in: Interreg Danube,Interreg ESPON, Interreg Greece-Bulgaria, Interreg Europe, Interreg IPA Bulgaria North Macedonia, Interreg IPA Bulgaria Serbia, Interreg IPA Bulgaria Turkey, Interreg IPA Bulgaria Romania, Interreg NEXT Black Sea Basin, Interreg South West Europe (SUDOE)

 

9. Funding from the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT)

The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) is an independent body of the European Union with legal personality, established in 2008 to strengthen Europe’s capacity to innovate.[1] The three “pillars” of the EIT’s work are entrepreneurship education programmes and courses across Europe that turn students into entrepreneurs; business creation and acceleration services that scale up ideas and growing businesses; and innovation-driven research projects that turn ideas into products by connecting partners, investors and expertise.

The EIT for the period 2021-2027 helps coordinate cross-sectoral activities related to education and provides a wider range of future entrepreneurs with access to the experience and knowledge of the EIT community.

 

FOR A CONSULTATION, DO NOT HESITATE TO CONTACT US!

European funding expert

Аssociate Prof. Vanya Slavova, PhD

+359 896 78 64 50

e-mail: slavovavanya@yahoo.com