General information

The Structural Funds and the Cohesion Fund aim at reducing the disparities in the economic and social development between the various regions in Bulgaria, as well as between Bulgaria and the other EU member countries. For the period 2007-2013 the funds are:

• European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) – the fund is the most important instrument of the EU “regional policy” and is used in the financing of: investments in manufacturing; construction/modernization of infrastructures; projects for local development and support of small companies; urban development and culture.

• European Social Fund (ESF) – the fund finances measures, supporting the EU social policy: facilitating the access to employment; ensuring equal opportunities on the labour market; lifelong learning and increased investment in human resources; development of qualifications and competences; social inclusion of disadvantaged people.

• Cohesion Fund – established in 1993 for the purpose of strengthening the economic and social cohesion of the EU in the interests of promoting sustainable development. The Cohesion Fund assists individual projects in the fields of environment and transport infrastructure e.g., roads, ports, airports, water supply, and waste water treatment projects.

In addition, there are four Community Initiatives, intended to complement the structural fund operations in specific problem areas:

• Interreg promotes cross border, transnational and interregional cooperation and is financed by the ERDF;

• Urban supports innovative strategies to regenerate cities and declining urban areas and is financed by the ERDF;

• Leader+ promotes the socio-economic development of rural areas and is funded by the European Agricultural Guarantee and Guidance Fund;
  

• Equal provides for the development of new practices to fight against discrimination and inequalities of every kind in access to the labour market, and is financed by the ESF.