site.btaRegional Development Ministry Responds to Sofia Mayor’s Claims of Delayed Infrastructure Funding

The Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works has responded to claims by Sofia Mayor Vassil Terziev that the central government is delaying funding for key infrastructure projects in the capital. According to a press release by the Ministry, documentation inconsistencies have been the main obstacle to disbursing funds. 

In a press release issued on Tuesday, the ministry confirmed that two meetings had already been held between Minister Ivan Ivanov and Mayor Terziev, during which “the principles and legal requirements for project financing were explained in a constructive dialogue.”

The Мinistry emphasized its readiness to fund all projects that comply with legal requirements, including those submitted by Sofia Municipality, the Ministry said.

The statement came in response to an earlier communication from the Sofia Municipality, which said that the city had received only BGN 98,554 in state funding for 156 approved projects for 2025, with formal agreements signed for just 10 projects in the districts of Pancharevo, Bankya, Mladost, and Ilinden. The municipality warned that delays in funding “threaten the implementation and payment schedules” for major infrastructure initiatives.

Saying that flawed documentation has been the main obstacle to disbursing funds, the Ministry noted that guidance letters had been repeatedly sent to help address the flaws in project applications. 

“We have never questioned the administrative capacity of any municipality, regardless of political leadership, and we won’t do so now,” the Мinistry noted in its statement.
The ministry also pointed out that 720 projects across 214 municipalities have already received funding, suggesting that “smaller municipalities have successfully met the documentation requirements.”

“Mayor Terziev himself notes that 720 projects have been paid out. This shows that the process is not used for political games. What is political is his attempt to pit the citizens of Sofia against those in the provinces,” the statement added.

“Our team is ready to assist in the administrative process once again—but cooperation and adherence to the law are necessary on both sides,” the statement concluded.

During a hearing by the competent parliamentary committee on the matter, Regional Development Minister Ivan Ivanov said: “The documentation submitted by Sofia Municipality - and unfortunately by quite a few other municipalities—is severely lacking in understanding of what the law actually requires. For Sofia’s projects seeking funding under Annex 3 of the State Budget Act, basic key documents are missing. I understand that there is currently a staffing shortage there, for one reason or another, including due to doubts about the integrity of certain employees. I understand these issues, but they are not an excuse.”