Bulgaria
Beneficiary state since 2007 · EEA Grants & Norway Grants · Capital: Sofia · Population 6.4m
Headline figures for Bulgaria
Donor programme partners
Bilateral initiatives
83 recorded, showing the 12 largest by grant
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The initiative includes activities and topics identified as particularly significant for the General Labour Inspectorate Executive Agency (GLI EA) and the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority (NLI). It aims to promote decent working conditions for employees, fair competition for companies and sustainable welfare systems. This includes the implementation of a joint information campaign to increase the knowledge about the rules and regulations on work in Norway among workers, employers and job intermediaries. To improve the knowledge and professional skills of the Bulgarian and Norwegian inspectors, the GLI EA and the NLI will cooperate on joint inspections with undertakings, sharing good practices and increasing knowledge on laws and regulations in wages and working conditions. This will strengthen the cooperation on problems of common interest, such as tackling undeclared work, occupational health and safety issues. The GLI EA capacity will be further improved with the development of a new website and self-assessment tool with a focus on tackling undeclared work through assessing particular labour relationship. The tool is aimed at raising awareness among workers and undertakings about dangers and damages of undeclared work. The GLI EA will develop guidance and factsheets on the rights and obligations of companies and workers in Bulgaria aimed at improving their awareness about their rights and obligations as parties to an employment relationship in Bulgaria.
€800k awarded
Energy communities in Bulgaria
The main aim of this project is to facilitate the development of energy communities in Bulgaria by applying Norwegian expertise and experience, with an emphasis on fostering a sustainable energy future. In order to achieve this goal, relevant Norwegian and Bulgarian experts will be selected to collaborate on the implementation of the following activities: - Development of a virtual metering platform, which aims to develop a framework for energy data access, exchange and management as well as to develop a model for the stakeholders’ relations, based on the Norwegian know-how and experience. - This activity involves assessing the existing regulatory framework and secondary legislation in Bulgaria to facilitate the incorporation of virtual net metering into the national system for electricity measurement and balancing. The goal is to establish a basis for future regulatory enhancements, utilizing insights from Norwegian practices. - Development of a Road map for establishment of an Energy Communities Register and a pilot energy community set up. - A study visit in Norway will be held, aiming to share experience with the Norwegian authorities (incl. Statnett and NVE) and other relevant institutions and stakeholders. On-line trainings and workshops will be also held, with the aim to raise awareness, build capacity and promote the initiative among the general public. This is a pilot bilateral project that may be expanded and built upon based on the results achieved.
€400k awarded
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The initiative aims to establish two pilot “green prisons” and training facilities in Belene and Pleven prisons in Bulgaria, inspired by the Norwegian model. It focuses on integrating sustainability into corrections by creating eco-friendly environments and fostering prisoner rehabilitation through green education and vocational training. The project emphasizes skills like horticulture, environmental literacy, and green job readiness to support social reintegration while promoting environmental stewardship. Benefits for Bulgaria: Improved rehabilitation programs, adoption of sustainable practices, and enhanced prisoner reintegration. For Norway: Expanding international influence in green corrections and knowledge sharing. Mutual : Strengthened cooperation and exchange of expertise between the two correctional systems. Key activities involve: Forming an expert working group to draft implementation plans; Conducting job shadowing for Bulgarian experts at Norway’s Ona prison; Designing green rehabilitation programs and technical plans for eco-friendly prisons; Organizing dissemination workshops in Bulgaria to raise stakeholder awareness; Providing staff training and consultations from Norwegian experts. This initiative fosters long-term collaboration between Norway and Bulgaria, transforming correctional services into models of sustainability and rehabilitation while reducing environmental impact and supporting prisoner reintegration into society.
€391k awarded
Integration, cultural and educational center for refugees and migrants “Arms Wide Open”
According to UNHCR and UNICEF Bulgaria, since the beginning of the military conflict in Ukraine, 450,000 Ukrainian refugees have arrived in Bulgaria, 124,489 are registered for temporary protection and 87,000 remained on the territory of the country. The main goal of the project is to create a safe space for integration, education, and culture for refugees and migrants. The Integration Centre targets refugees, third-country nationals seeking/receiving protection as the main target group are displaced persons from Ukraine and the local community. In view of the needs, a wider range of social, advisory, legal and welfare services will be provided. The Integration Centre aims to create a secure environment by providing free programmes for integration into society, providing information, education and cultural activities, creating curricula, conducting Bulgarian language classes and more. The Integration Centre envisages to work purposefully and sustainably to build a safe environment for communication, development of personal, social and professional skills in different areas. Activities are planned, designed and will be led by a range of experts with experience in their field of work in order to create a workable and relevant programme for the project's target groups.
€382k awarded
Bulgarian Cross-Border Dialogue v.2
The aim of the initiative is to enhance the institutional capacity of the Bulgarian Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works for efficient management of the Cross Border Cooperation (CBC) Programmes in which Bulgaria participates and further promote the development of regional cooperation. Establishment of long-lasting partnerships, promoting dialogue and exchange and dissemination of good practices in management of CBC Programmes. Ensuring data exchange functionality between the Management Information System (MIS) of the CBC Programmes and the web portals of the CBC Programmes. Upgrade and develop the CBC Programmes web portals with modules to reflect the degree of achievement of specific indicators, the extent of the impact of the programmes on the regions involved, the selected areas of cooperation and the target groups, as well as visualization of the results of surveys and public consultations on the upcoming programming period and the ability to connect and provide data to the regional database for cross-border cooperation. Sharing and exchange of experience on mechanisms to ensure synergies between territorial cooperation programmes and relevant EU Macro-regional strategies (EU Danube Strategy and EU Baltic Sea Strategy).
€363k awarded
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Main aim is to modernize Bulgarian correctional services by operationalizing the newly constructed correctional complex in Samoranovo. With Norway’s expertise, the initiative introduces a leadership and management model inspired by rehabilitative principles, emphasizing normalization, dynamic security, and reintegration. It seeks to strengthen bilateral cooperation between the Norwegian Correctional Service and GDES while ensuring the facilities to operate in alignment with their innovative design. The expected benefits include a fully functional correctional complex with a rehabilitative organizational culture, improved staff expertise, enhanced prisoner rehabilitation programs, and reduced recidivism rates. Prison staff will experience increased engagement through modern training and management techniques, while inmates will benefit from education, rehabilitation, and resettlement programs, fostering their reintegration into society. Planned activities include establishing a joint working group to develop action plans for the Samoranovo complex, Norwegian experts providing on-site training to Bulgarian management, job shadowing programs in Norway for Bulgarian staff, and follow-up coaching to support the gradual opening of the facilities. Dissemination efforts will include a closing conference to share results and foster future collaboration. These activities aim to ensure sustainable modernization of Bulgaria’s correctional services and long-term bilateral cooperation.
€334k awarded
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The aim of the project is to combat human trafficking at both a strategic and operational level through joint investigations, exchange of intelligence information and coordinated operational actions with the participation of Norway and Bulgaria and to ensure the exchange of knowledge and good practices between the police structures of the two countries.The initiative facilitates the direct exchange of information on cases, creating the foundation for deeper cooperation and stronger horizontal ties. It enhances professional development and promotes the sharing of best practices. Direct communication among personnel enables the exchange of opinions, ideas, and practical case experiences, contributing to more effective efforts in combating human trafficking as a cross-border organized crime.
€237k awarded
Boosting innovation and internationalisation of the Bulgarian SMEs
Micro and small Bulgarian enterprises have a very low degree of innovation, which places them under strong competitive pressures in terms of prices and marketed products. There is also a very low degree of internationalization of SMEs and difficulty accessing to international markets. The project will address these rising challenges. Its overall goal is to analyse and identify gaps and needed actions directly contributing to or exploring the introduction of an innovative combined support measures for BSMEPA to support innovation and technological development of the enterprises and promotion of the internationalization of SMEs. The specific goals of the project are: - providing efficient and practical solutions to improve the toolkit of BSMEPA and other relevant bodies to support emerging and existing innovators and the internationalization of SMEs through networking and training, technical consultations and assessment of available instruments; - strengthening the capacity of BSMEPA and other competent authorities to plan, monitor and implement combined measures to support SMEs in terms of innovation and internationalization. With the achievement of the set overall and specific goals of the project will be demonstrated improved capacity of the project promoter (BSMEPA) for planning, monitoring and implementation of measures (schemes and instruments) for supporting innovation and technological development of existing and emerging innovators and companies.
€217k awarded
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The main goal of the project is, through exchange of experience, to strengthen strategic and operational cooperation between the Bulgarian and Norwegian police in the field of undercover methods and informant handling as a tool for combating organised cross-border crime. The project will contribute to building mutual trust and improving the operational readiness of the partner institutions. Participants will share knowledge and expertise on the use of covert measures, current criminal trends and threats, and best practices in international cooperation. The initiative will also support direct exchange on specific cases of common interest. The purpose of the proposed activities is to improve institutional coordination and to develop long-term professional networks. This will be achieved through the implementation of two joint management meetings and two training courses on undercover methods—one in Bulgaria and one in Norway—as well as one intelligence exchange meeting. Such joint experience during the implementation of these activities will strengthen the ability of institutions to coordinate and act effectively in combating organised crime involving cross-border dimensions. The bilateral partnership established through the project will lay the foundation for future cooperation in sensitive operational areas.
€205k awarded
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The overall objective of the pre-defined initiative is to ensure the rights of child victims and witnesses of violence to justice, protection and recovery in Bulgaria, by supporting multidisciplinary and interagency services. The initiative addresses the demand for support to implement the Barnahus model in Bulgaria and to progressively meet the Barnahus quality standards. In terms of the bilateral benefits, the planned study visits and on site seminars are important team building experiences, and facilitate contacts across borders, which are invaluable to build a common sense of direction, mutual trust and join commitments. The initiative will be implemented through the following activities: Introductory Training – A Journey through Barnahus - a series of (online) webinars, which introduce the Barnahus model and Quality Standards, including a virtual tour; National Roundtables, in preparation and follow up to study visit to Norway, involving a multidisciplinary group of officials, decision makers and practitioners, in all partner countries participating in the study visit; Study Visit to Barnahus in Norway, combined with seminars involving practitioners working in Barnahus, including management, police, medical staff, child protection and therapists and psychologists; Technical Support; Training in the functions of Barnahus - Bulgaria will participate in the following training: Child Protection; Medical Interventions and Reaching marginalised children and communities.
€201k awarded
Completion and equipment of Crisis Management Center at the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The initiative aims to improve the institutional capacity of the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (BMFA) for reaction in cases of crises/emergency and evacuation of Bulgarians or unrepresented EU citizens in distress abroad. The activities include an establishment of a long-term partnership and an exchange of good practices with the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the area of consular crisis preparedness and reaction. The staff of the Crisis Management Center at the BMFA will be trained and prepared to react effectively in case of occurrence of crises and evacuation. A mobile application for a crisis response will be developed and launched, which will significantly improve the technical means and the capacity of the Crisis Management Center to respond, assist or evacuate Bulgarian citizens affected by disasters abroad. A publicity campaign will increase the awareness about the benefits of using the mobile application and will provide to the potential users a manual how to work with the application.
€200k awarded
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The initiative aims at supporting the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other relevant stakeholders to implement the commitments of Bulgaria as a member of the EU and of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance to integrate measures for preventing antisemitism into national acts, in particular the elaboration and initial implementation of the first National Action Plan on combatting antisemitism. The Action Plan to be developed by the Bulgarian MFA in cooperation with other stakeholders would benefit from Norway’s experience and expertise on raising awareness and promotion of the fight against antisemitism on the public agenda. It will be preceded by a public opinion survey on the attitudes towards Jews in Bulgaria and establishment of a research network that will meet regularly to share good practices and scientific results. A package of innovative cultural resources will be developed focused on preserving Jewish heritage and better knowledge of Jewish life. By implementing these activities, the initiative will seek to enhance the institutional capacity and expertise of the BMFA and other relevant authorities, increase the interest and knowledge of the Bulgarian citizens, raise the public awareness on Jewish culture, strengthen the academic research on Holocaust, as well as develop a sustainable cooperation and transfer of expertise between Bulgaria and Norway.
€200k awarded