Urgent reform of Bulgaria's planning districts is needed, local authorities insist.The current regionalization shows increasing economic imbalances in terms of EU grant assistance. The problem is particularly severe in the Southwestern region, which includes Sofia city. According to the EU cohesion rules, when a region's GDP per capita reaches 100% of the EU average, the regions receive 30% co-financing for EU programs.
In the Southwestern region, due to Sofia's indicators, the coverage is 100%. Transitional regions, with a GDP between 75% and 100% of the EU average, receive 60% grant aid, while underdeveloped regions receive 85%. In Sofia city, the GDP per capita is close to 130% of the EU average, which affects the neighboring districts – Sofia District, Pernik, Kyustendil and Blagoevgrad, where the coverage is between 54% and 31%. The bundling of these districts with the capital city limits their access to EU funds.
Since the beginning of the current year, Bulgaria has experienced record heat waves, a series of devastating fires, and a new disaster just days ago – catastrophic floods that claimed human lives . Climate change already has its price – and it is..
Bulgaria will receive EUR 7.4 million in aid from the European Commission to support farmers affected by adverse production conditions in recent months, European Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Christophe Hansen told BTA and clarified that the..
In its "Economic Freedom of the World, 2025" ranking , the Canadian Fraser Institute gives Bulgaria a score of 7.13 out of a maximum of 10 points. This places the country 56th out of 165. It ranks between Greece and Thailand. In 2024, Bulgaria was 52nd..
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