site.btaBGN 129 Mln in EU Funds Invested in Samokov Municipality, Says Head of European Commission Representation in Bulgaria

Yordanka Chobanova, Head of the European Commission Representation in Bulgaria, said BGN 129 million in EU funds had been invested in Samokov Municipality in over 380 projects. She addressed a local conference within BTA's Europe on Balkans: Cohesion Skills project at the BTA National Press Club in Samokov on Monday.

Chobanova added that investments were made in small and medium-sized enterprises, urban development, urban transport and energy efficiency. She said Samokov Municipality is focused on the local community with an emphasis on the millennial traditions, the region's culture and the ultimate goal of creating a favourable environment for life and business, for more tourism and clean nature.

The topic dedicated to knowledge is key for Samokov, as this is the birthplace of the Bulgarian educator Konstantin Fotinov, Chobanova said. She emphasized that Fotinov's message - and this is becoming increasingly important and relevant - is that knowledge and education are the most valuable weapons that Bulgarians and Europeans have at the moment to revive their economies and improve the standard of living in general.

The world is entering an era of fierce geostrategic competition and major global players such as the US and China are fighting for raw materials and technologies, Chobanova stressed. Above all, the battle is for talent, brains and human capital. In her words, Europe's big goal is to catch up with its competitors, especially when it comes to productivity, in which it has been lagging behind in recent years. "Europe must accept the world as it is and offer concrete solutions," Chobanova emphasized, adding that investment in innovation is one of the top priorities.

Chobanova announced that the Erasmus Programme will be enriched in the new programming period so that it provides more opportunities for professional exchange, not only for scientific ones. "The big goal is for Bulgaria's talent to return to this country," she concluded.

Through the Europe on Balkans: Cohesion Skills project, BTA aims to raise public awareness and foster open dialogue about cohesion policy, local achievements, and the implementation of the EU's policy priorities. The project kicked off with a conference in Veliki Preslav in November 2024. Until September 2025, BTA will host discussions at its press clubs in the following cities: Blagoevgrad, Burgas, Varna, Veliko Tarnovo, Vidin, Vratsa, Gabrovo, Dobrich, Kazanlak, Kardzhali, Kyustendil, Lovech, Montana, Pazardzhik, Pernik, Pleven, Razgrad, Ruse, Samokov, Svishtov, Sliven, Smolyan, Sofia, Stara Zagora, Troyan, Targovishte, Haskovo, Shumen, and Yambol. Cross-border conferences will be held in Belgrade, Bosilegrad, Bucharest, Edirne, Skopje, and Thessaloniki. The project builds on the Europe in the Balkans: A Common Future and Europe in Bulgaria: A Common Future projects, implemented by BTA in 2023 and 2024, respectively.