Small companies from Kyustendil with access to cross-border euro funds

Two invitations to apply for the cross-border program between Bulgaria and North Macedonia are to be opened by May. The total budget of the funds under them will be over 10 million euros, and the goal is to increase the competitiveness of the local economy and improve the business environment. Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises will be able to submit proposals under one of them.

This was explained by Tony Yakimovski, head of the Joint Secretariat in Kyustendil and part of the “Management of Territorial Cooperation” Directorate at the Ministry of Regional Development. He took part in the “Transition of Opportunities – Kyustendil” conference, organized by “Brand Media Bulgaria”. The event is part of the “Transition of Opportunities” project, co-financed with European funds under the EU cohesion policy.

We remind you that the total budget of the program with North Macedonia for the period 2021-2027 is EUR 31 million. Apart from Kyustendil, Blagoevgrad is also an eligible district. The priority lines are three – a greener cross-border region with a budget of over 5.2 million euros, a more connected cross-border region with funds of 10.3 million euros, as well as integrated development of the region, where the budget is over 15.5 million euros.

They will be opened according to the last priority two invitations really soon. Both are to promote integrated and inclusive social, economic and environmental local development, culture, natural heritage, sustainable tourism and security in non-urban areas.

The first one is aimed at local and regional government structures, regional structures of central departments, NGOs, Research Centers, academic and training institutions and social institutions. The funds pledged under it amount to just over 8.1 million euros, and the beneficiaries may receive between 500 thousand and 1 million euros. Eligible activities are:

• Joint actions aimed at developing year-round, integrated and sustainable tourism products, accompanied by competitive branding and marketing practices, in order to develop the potential of cross-border tourism;
• Actions aimed at the balanced and efficient use of tourist resources in the region, including development of new integrated regional tourism products; investment in infrastructure and facilities to support tourists; strengthening the links between natural and cultural sites; training of staff at tourist attractions; improving marketing practices and brands.
• Actions aimed at improving mobility and connectivity of transport and engineering infrastructure through a system of alternative mobility, including a network of bicycle lanes, “black” forest and rural roads, etc.;
• Actions aimed at developing and implementing joint measures to reduce the vulnerability of services in the tourism sector to the impact of pandemic and epidemic situations.

According to the second micro, small and medium enterprises can apply. The total budget here is over 2.7 million euros, and the beneficiaries may receive between 200 and 400 thousand euros. The eligible activities are:

• Joint actions aimed at improving the knowledge capacity of MSMEs to work in a greener, more digital and more competitive environment (acquisition of new knowledge and skills, including access to external funding);
• Joint solutions aimed at increasing the production capacity of MSMEs to become greener, more digital and more competitive (technological modernization);
• Actions aimed at building an effective product development process (it covers all the steps needed to get the product from concept to market availability) and reaching new markets (marketing, entrepreneurship, internationalization).

Funding for Kyustendil

As a priority area, Kyustendil has funding opportunities under the program for cross-border cooperation with Serbia. Its total budget is 38 million euros. According to it, an invitation related to the competitiveness of the region is about to be opened, and the beneficiaries can again be micro, small and medium-sized enterprises. Its indicative activities are:

• Joint development and implementation of technological solutions;
• Technological and/or organizational investments aimed at reducing production/service provision costs;
• Investments aimed at product/service quality management;
• Actions aimed at accessing new markets or market segments;
• Marketing and advertising activities, participation in international fairs, exhibitions, etc.

Kyustendil also has access to funds under the “Danube Region”, “Mediterranean Basin”, and “Europe” programs.

Co-financed by the European Union. However, the views and opinions expressed are entirely those of their author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the European Commission is responsible for them.