Bulgarian regional development and relocation initiatives

Bulgaria is implementing various state initiatives aimed at regional development and demographic management.

The ‘I Choose Bulgaria’ initiative is scheduled to enter its second phase on October 1, offering financial incentives to citizens who relocate from large cities to towns with populations under 50,000. These incentives include relocation allowances, monthly rent subsidies, and transport allowances. Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Policy Lilia Stoyanova noted the program aims to improve quality of life and ease pressure on major urban centers.

Concurrently, the government has begun distributing funds through the Investment Program for Municipalities. Using European funds from the 2021-2027 Regional Development Program, the state is supporting projects such as integrated urban mobility in the Ruse region. Minister of Regional Development and Public Works Ivan Shishkov highlighted ongoing efforts to improve transport connectivity between Ruse, southern Europe, and Greece.

In a recent development, Minister Shishkov announced the commencement of payments under the Investment Program for Municipal Projects. During a meeting in Ruse, he presented a 3.8 million euro check to the Ruse municipality to support integrated urban mobility. Regarding broader infrastructure, Shishkov noted that the design process for the Hemus motorway route from Veliko Tarnovo to Makaza is ongoing, with a detailed layout for the section up to Veliko Tarnovo expected to be commissioned within 30 to 40 days.