Bulgaria is one of the first EU countries to adopt all its ESF+ Programmes, which will invest in people and in a fair inclusive society. These programmes will enhance employability, provide targeted support to young people, promote equal opportunities, while also delivering vital aid to Bulgaria's most vulnerable. Additionally, ESF+ funding will allow Bulgaria to focus on modernising its education and training system and empower citizens for the green and digital transitions.
Under its partnership agreement with the European Commission, Bulgaria will implement ESF+ via three national programmes. With a total of €2.6 billion in ESF+ (€3.14 billion with national co-funding) – an increase of over 60% compared to the amount invested under the ESF and FEAD in 2014-2020 – the financial allocations will ensure the country is able to face future economic and social pressure, while reaching society’s most vulnerable people.
Sustainable employment and social inclusion
With an overall budget of almost €2 billion (ESF+ and national co-funding), the Human Resources Development Programme will contribute to better employment opportunities, upskilling and re-skilling of the population, and social inclusion. More than €1.28 billion will be invested in measures that reinforce the national labour market, with special focus on young people, helping more individuals to gain and improve qualifications, providing targeted support for job creation, promoting entrepreneurship and social economy. The programme will also focus on preparing the labour market for the digital and green transitions, with expanded access to training courses and employment opportunities. More than €700 million (ESF+ and national co-funding) will support social inclusion of the most vulnerable groups, including provision of better social services to the elderly and people with disabilities, reducing child poverty and better socio-economic integration of marginalised groups, including Roma. Overall, the programme will reach more than 740 000 participants.
Modernising the education system
Under the ESF+ programme Education, nearly €1 billion (ESF+ and national co-funding) will help to improve the quality of education, focusing on digital educational content and boosting the level of digital skills of pedagogical specialists, students and parents. The programme will invest in modernising the education system at all levels of education – including vocational and higher education – to ensure alignment with the future labour-market needs. It prioritises equal access of all children to quality education, starting from the pre-school level, and dedicates €100 million to tackling child poverty and reducing school drop-out. Overall the programme will support more than 760 000 children and students.
Reaching the most vulnerable
Finally, the Food and Basic Material Support Programme will tackle material deprivation of the most vulnerable population in the country, complementing the national policy to mitigate and reduce poverty and overcome social exclusion, with a strong focus on children. With more than €200 million (ESF+ and national co-funding), the programme will offer packages of food and hygiene materials, packages for new-born children, vouchers for baby/children meals and warm lunches to society’s most vulnerable – including those in remote areas. Over 600,000 people will receive support under the Food and Basic Material Support Programme 2021-2027.
The ESF+ programmes and the support from the Recovery and Resilience facility (RRF), Just Transition Fund (JTF), Cohesion Fund (CF) and European Fund for Regional Development (ERDF) will be critical to ensure Bulgaria’s continued recovery from the pandemic, making the society more sustainable, resilient and better prepared for the challenges and opportunities of the green and digital transitions, while leaving no one behind.
