Nearly 100 representatives of the potential beneficiaries took part in the information seminar "Vratsa, a new member of the cross-border family of the Bulgaria-Serbia IPA Cross-border Programme". The seminar was opened by the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works, Denitsa Nikolova. The meeting was attended also by the Director General of “Territorial Cooperation Management” DG at the Ministry - Maria Duzova, deputy director of the European Integration Office of the Republic of Serbia - Sanda Simic and the governor of Vratsa region - Malina Nikolova.

 For the programming period 2014-2020 Vratsa region is included in the eligible area for funding under the Programme for cross-border cooperation between Bulgaria and Serbia. "The expansion of the program area and the inclusion of Vratsa district, allows supporting economic development and improving the quality and standard of living of the inhabitants in the region," said Deputy Minister Nikolova at the opening of the seminar. "Support for the region is crucial for the current programming period and as a priority for the Ministry to support development of the poor regions," she explained.

The Program budget for the next programming period will be just over 34 million Euros. From the Bulgarian side there are 6 regions that will be included in the eligible cross-border area: Vidin, Vratsa, Montana, Sofia, Pernik and Kyustendil. A new region, Toplica, has been added to the cross-border area from the Serbian side of the border. Thus, from the Serbian side there are 7 regions that will be included in the eligible cross-border area: Bor, Zajecar, Nisava, Pirot, Toplica, Jablanica and Pcinja. Priority axes of the Programme are related to sustainable tourism development, youth development, environmental protection and reducing the negative consequences of climate change.

"There is an opportunity to begin the preliminary implementation of the Programmes," said Deputy Minister Nikolova. She reported that the Guidelines for Applicants under the "Bulgaria-Serbia" 2014-2020 will be prepared before the official approval of the Programme and will be submitted for public discussion. Deputy Minister explained that, concerning financing of investment projects, their successful preparation and drafting can begin now. That way, by the time the First Call for proposals is launched the potential beneficiaries will be able to immediately apply for funding and insure the fastest start of project implementation. "The successful implementation of the Programme depends largely on the activity of the beneficiaries. I hope that during the new programming period the beneficiaries will have enough motivation and activity on their part." said Nikolova.