Bulgaria can count on BGN 16.5 B in European funding for the 2014 – 2020 period, according to the Minister for the Management of EU Funds, Tomislav Donchev.

In comparison, for the 2007 – 2013 period, Bulgaria had BGN 13 B, of which BGN 6.2 B have been contracted and just BGN 1.8 B – paid to beneficiaries, data of the information system for funds management shows.

Donchev says this is the realistic scenario where there is no place for pessimism or optimism. The data has been calculated based on 2.5% of the Gross Domestic Product, GDP, of Bulgaria, based on 2011 prices, with the threshold being determined by the European Commission.

Bulgaria's top priority for the next program period is to bind infrastructure and social projects to be financed through several funds, the Minister explained, giving as example the project to take orphans out of social homes, which is financed through EU regional, social and agriculture resources.

One of the main changes, now discussed by the EC, is the replacement of the current national strategic referent frame with a contract for partnership. There are also plans for the establishment of a central fund to realize common EU projects, involving more than one Member State.