Consultations and development of funding projects

A large part of the EU grants are provided under the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF): the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund, the Cohesion Fund, the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund. In order to receive the funding, Bulgaria prepares detailed investment plans, the so-called "Operational programmes", which determine how the funds will be spent.
The Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) is another key EU instrument that provides financial support for reforms and investments undertaken by Member States to mitigate the economic and social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The projects and reforms provided for in the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) of Bulgaria will be financed by the RRF.

For the 2021-2027 programming period, businesses can take advantage of numerous opportunities for funding projects under European programmes - "Competitiveness and Innovation in Enterprises" Programme, "Human Resources Development" Programme, "Scientific Research, Innovation and Digitalization for Intelligent Transformation" Programme and the "Regional Development" Programme, the Cross-Border Cooperation Programmes, as well as the grant schemes laid down in the National Recovery and Resilience Plan. In addition, Bulgarian companies can also apply for the centralized EU programs (Horizon Europe, LIFE, Innovation Fund, Digital Europe, Creative Europe, etc.), which are managed directly by the European Commission.

Different types of expenses are financed according to the specific conditions of the respective European programmes. In most cases, personnel costs, acquisition of durable tangible and intangible assets (machines, facilities, equipment, software), costs of external services, costs of materials and consumables, overhead costs, costs of business trips abroad, etc. are eligible.

Yes. There are some programmes that provide free grant support for the creation and development of innovative start-ups and spin-off companies.

In most cases, the funding institution transfers an advance payment (in the amount of a predetermined percentage of the grant) to start the project activities. The grant is paid in instalments after each interim or final reporting, through which information and evidence are provided regarding the implementation of the project activities and the results achieved, incl. supporting documents. After the approval of the submitted financial and technical report, the costs incurred by the beneficiary for the relevant reporting period are reimbursed.

The criteria according to which an enterprise is defined as micro, small or medium-sized are specified in the Small and Medium Enterprises Act. The category of an enterprise depends on the average number of staff and the annual turnover or total value of the assets of the applicant enterprise, summed up with the corresponding values of their linked enterprises and partner enterprises, for at least two consecutive years. For convenience, first only the average number of staff is to be analysed and the rule is followed that an enterprise with a staff of less than 10 people is micro, with a staff of less than 50 people - small and with a staff of less than 250 people - medium. For the definitive categorization, however, a detailed legal analysis of the enterprise's connections and links must be conducted and the above-mentioned financial indicators must be taken into account. As long-standing consultants on European projects, we can do a detailed analysis of your company at a competitive price and even for free - if you request an initial consultation through our website!

Of course! We provide consultations on European projects at competitive prices to companies from all over the country. Do not hesitate to contact us, regardless of whether your headquarters are in Sofia, Plovdiv, Burgas, Varna, Veliko Tarnovo, Ruse, Stara Zagora or any smaller town.