site.btaBeautiful Bulgaria's Board of Directors Approves Funding for 56 Projects for 2025, Two from BTA

A total of 56 project proposals have been approved for funding and implementation this year by the Beautiful Bulgaria project's Board of Directors, the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy's website reported on Wednesday. Two of the approved projects are of the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA).

The Beautiful Bulgaria project aims to improve the public environment and social infrastructure and to ensure accessibility in public buildings. Most of the projects approved for 2025 are of municipalities.

One of the BTA's approved projects is for renovation to improve the functionality, aesthetics and sustainability of the Agency's building. The other is to replace an elevator system in the building. The Ministry will organize an expert evaluation of the projects and an estimated cost will to be determined. After that, a procedure under the Public Procurement Act will be prepared and the selection of contractors for the planned works will be announced, the Social Ministry told BTA.

On February 16, BTA Director General Kiril Valchev said that the agency has proposed projects under Beautiful Bulgaria for the replacement of an old small elevator in the building and for the renovation of common spaces - corridors, stairs, doors and toilets, and with its own funds will make and maintain landscaping with a unified overall vision.

BTA has already renovated and put lights on its façade, modernized the building, and provided an accessible environment to it National Press Club and MaxiM multimedia centre for people with disabilities. The renovation was co-funded under the Beautiful Bulgaria project of the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy. The Agency has also revamped its newsroom to improve the organization and workflow between reporters, editors and department heads. 

Provision of access for people with disabilities

In order to improve access for people with disabilities, two electric stair platforms were installed inside the building. One of the platforms is located next to the National Press Club, where various news conferences are organised every day, and the other is positioned next to the MaxiM multimedia centre.

A new ramp with metal railing was built to replace the old compromised metal ramp by the main (south-west) entrance. Major repairs were also made to the northwest entrance, which was in poor condition, with rotted and cracked wood siding. Serious repairs were also carried out on the half-demolished transport ramp. A new barrier was put up at the entrance/exit on the north-west side of the building.

Renovation of the building's façade and entrances

The façade of the building was completely cleaned, the coloured elements were repainted, additional improvements were made and new facilities were built with sustainability and energy efficiency in mind.

A large illuminated logo was installed in the place of the old BTA letters, and the old façade clock was restored. Exterior façade lighting was installed with different lighting scenarios, which not only enhance the visual appearance of the building, but also make the area around it more attractive.

The activities were carried out under two measures of the Beautiful Bulgaria project of the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy. The BTA building thus achieved the goal of building a more inclusive environment. The total budget is BGN 441,592 under the measure "Improvement of the public environment in settlements" and BGN 116,369 under the measure "Ensuring an accessible environment in public buildings".

Under another measure of the Beautiful Bulgaria project - "Improvement of the parking lot, manoeuvring area and pedestrian spaces of the Bulgarian News Agency", in 2023 BTA improved the space in the northeastern courtyard through the construction of a new parking lot. The total cost of this BTA project was BGN 255,381, of which BGN 114,921 was provided by the Beautiful Bulgaria project and BGN 140,460 came from BTA's budget.