28 Feb 2025
Local businesses will be able to benefit from 182 million leva provided for in the Just Transition Fund (JTF), announced experts from the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works of the Republic of Bulgaria (MRDPW) during the B2B forum "Business for Business" organized by Invest Stara Zagora. The event this afternoon brought together over 90 business representatives, who discussed financing opportunities and the economic development of the region.
"Stara Zagora responds to the needs of business by providing more clarity on the current and upcoming financing programs," said Deputy Mayor Radostin Tanev. "The budget for supporting businesses in the regions affected by the coal transition is 250 million leva, of which 182 million leva is for the Stara Zagora region," emphasized Asya Stankova, Director of the Directorate General for Strategic Planning and Regional Development Programs at the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works of the Republic of Bulgaria (MRDPW). The deadline for applications is May 15, 2025, said Keti Karacholova, Head of the Pre-Selection and Negotiation Department at the Directorate-General for Regional Development and Public Works, who also briefly presented the most important highlights of the procedure. The overall goal of the procedure is to support micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, including start-ups, in the 3 regions, in this case in the Stara Zagora district, in order to ensure adequate and effective support for the local economy in the process of transition to climate neutrality. She added that detailed information can also be found on the website of the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works. Mr. Tanev also indicated that specific questions can also be sent to [email protected], and the combined questions will be sent to the Managing Authority.
During the discussion, the business insisted that companies that actually develop activities in the region should receive an advantage when applying. “Programs should be created with the active participation of business, because we know what the economy needs,” said Stefan Shosselov, chairman of KRIB in Stara Zagora. “It is important to support enterprises that create sustainable jobs, not those that can leave the region in a few months,” added Maria Zhekova, owner of a company for the production of polymer films and packaging. All other approved companies could leave in 5-6 months, but we live here and will stay, our potential is to increase jobs in real terms, Ivan Panchov (“Medina-Med”) also supported her.
The companies also had the opportunity to learn about the opportunities for free training for their employees under the “Human Resources Development” Program, presented by Gencho Kerezov, chairman of the Expert Council of the Association of Bulgarian Cities and Regions. Additionally, digitalization opportunities were presented by “Digital University”, a leading provider of innovative technological solutions for business.
