Knowledge is one of the answers to the question on how to invest funds effectively, Yordanka Chobanova, Head of the European Commission's Representation in Bulgaria, said in Petrich Thursday during a conference of BTA's series "Europe on Balkans: Cohesion Skills."
Chobanova said that the purpose of the conference is to show the successes in Petrich since Bulgaria joined the European Union in 2007. "We can say that today Petrich is a different town, modern, renewed," she pointed out. "Over the last 10 years, more than BGN 100 million has been invested in the municipality in nearly 500 projects aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises, energy efficiency, agriculture, urban environment, educational, tourist and cultural infrastructure," she emphasized.
Chobanova noted a project financed by the European Regional Development Fund in connection with the ancient city of Heraclea Sintika and described the project as indicative of what happens when the ambition of the local leadership, the people of the town and the resources of the region come together. She said that for the current programming period, BGN 229 million is available for the South-West Region under the Operational Programme Development of Regions. "I hope that with effective, good and wise management these funds will be multiplied and the residents and young people will feel the added value of the EU," she emphasized.
"When we talk about effective investing and how to make it effective, one of the answers is precisely knowledge, which is also the topic of today's discussion," Chobanova pointed out, adding that investments in education, science and young talents is what the countries that Bulgaria wants to be like have in common. "In fact, the source of wealth comes not only from natural resources, not only from the geographical location, but from the knowledge and skills that turn raw materials into high-tech goods and services that will be bought at the market," she stressed.
Chobanova pointed out that Petrich will acquire three new electric buses under the Recovery and Resilience Plan, and charging stations will also be built, with the total value of the project being nearly BGN 3 million. Over BGN 2 million will be invested in the schools in Petrich, with a youth centre also to be built, which will provide services for personal and professional development of young people up to the age of 29.
Through this initiative, BTA aims to raise public awareness and foster open dialogue about cohesion policy, local achievements, and the implementation of the EU's policy priorities. Between November 2024 and 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.
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