News

RESPONSE behind the scenes: How volunteers prepare for emergency situations

Successful disaster response depends on more than firefighters, rescue teams and specialised equipment. It also relies on volunteers – people who choose to dedicate their time to learning how to help when every additional pair of hands can make a difference.

From 29 June to 3 July 2026, the sixth and final group of volunteers under the RESPONSE project completed its training at the Training Centre of the General Directorate Fire Safety and Civil Protection in Montana, Bulgaria.

To support the successful launch of the new projects, the Interreg VI-A IPA Bulgaria–Serbia Programme 2021–2027 organised parallel training sessions for beneficiaries from Bulgaria and Serbia under the Call for Services of General Interest. The training covered the main rules for project management, implementation and reporting.

The sessions took place on 26 June 2026, immediately after the signing of the subsidy contracts, providing participants with practical guidance from the very beginning of project implementation.

The signing of the subsidy contracts marks the start of the implementation of 13 projects approved under the Call for Services of General Interest within the Territorial Strategy of the Interreg VI-A IPA Bulgaria–Serbia Programme 2021–2027. The total value of the funding exceeds € 8.1 million.

The projects are designed to improve the accessibility and quality of services of general interest across the cross-border region through joint solutions developed and implemented by partners from Bulgaria and Serbia.

Sometimes a journey begins long before the first turn of the pedals.

With the launch of the Timok–Danube Cycling platform, cycling enthusiasts can now do more than simply plan their routes – they can experience them in advance through a video series available in Bulgarian, Serbian and English.

The video series is part of project BGRS0200069 “Timok–Danube Cycling”, funded with nearly €927,000 under the Interreg VI-A IPA Bulgaria–Serbia 2021–2027 Programme.

Vidin and Knjaževac share similar natural assets and strong tourism potential. Today, the Danube riverfront near Vidin, the rock formations of Belogradchik, the mountain roads around Knjaževac and dozens of other attractions on both sides of the border are connected through a network of cycling routes that reveal the region from a new perspective.

Technical ceramics and wood pellets rarely appear in the same sentence. Yet companies from Mezdra and Bosilegrad are working towards the same goal – improving efficiency, making better use of resources and remaining competitive in an increasingly dynamic economic environment.

Mineral water, nature and clean air have long attracted visitors to Varshets and Sokobanja. But what encourages them to return? And how can the region offer experiences that inspire visitors to stay longer and come back again?

More and more, the answer lies in cultural heritage – local stories, traditions, architecture and natural landmarks that can become part of a shared tourism experience on both sides of the border.

The Joint Secretariat is pleased to present the Beneficiary Navigator, an interactive online guide developed to facilitate the use of the Project Implementation Manual (PIM) under Priority 1 “Competitive Border Region” and Priority 2 “Integrated Development of the Border Region” of the (INTERREG VI-A) IPA Bulgaria–Serbia Programme 2021–2027.

RESPONSE behind the scenes: Training in conditions close to real operations

In May 2026, Montana once again became a meeting point for Bulgarian and Serbian firefighters and rescue professionals taking part in the strategic project RESPONSE. This time, however, much of the training took place outside the classroom – in field conditions designed to closely resemble real operational environments.

Stone by Stone: Heritage without borders

In mid-April 2026, the town of Varshets brought together, for several days, people who would not usually find themselves in the same place discussing the same topics – local authorities, cultural experts, local historians, tourism professionals, representatives of NGOs and businesses. The common theme was cultural heritage, but the conversations quickly moved beyond the usual question of “how to preserve it.” Because today the question is also what comes next.