The European Commission approved on Tuesday the Rural Development Programme of Bulgaria, which is worth nearly EUR 2.4 B.

The programme is aimed at improving the competitiveness of the EU farming sector and caring for the countryside and climate in the period until 2020.

Another goal, which the programme has set out to achieve, is strengthening the economic and social fabric of rural communities, the Commission's press service reports.

Together with the Bulgarian one, the Commission approved another 23 regional and national programmes concerning Croatia, the Czech Republic, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Romania, Spain, Sweden and the UK

It is expected that the adopted programmes will create over 40 000 jobs in rural areas and around 700 000 training places to foster innovation, transfer of knowledge, more sustainable farming practices and stronger rural businesses.

The funding allocated to Bulgaria represents 2.38 % of the total European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD).

The total funding provided by the EU budget amounts to EUR 27 B, co-financed by further public funding at national/regional level and/or private funds.

Among the priorities of the programme are the modernisation of farms, support to young farmers, sustainable land management and improved broadband infrastructures.