The fifth meeting of the Monitoring Committee of the INTERREG VI-A Bulgaria – Serbia Programme confirmed the impressive results of the previous programming period and outlined the dynamic development of the current one.
More than EUR 33 million – or 96% of the Programme’s budget – have been effectively invested, benefiting nearly 1 million inhabitants of the cross-border region. A total of 244 beneficiaries successfully implemented 118 projects in the fields of tourism, cultural heritage, youth activities, infrastructure, and environmental protection.
“These are not just numbers – these are real stories of cooperation and trust. When we work together, borders do not divide us, they connect us,” emphasized Ms. Yura Yordanova-Vitanova, Deputy Minister of Regional Development and Public Works and Head of the Managing Authority of the Programme, in her opening remarks.
The meeting, held online on November 12, 2025, was co-chaired by Mr Nemanja Martinović, Head of the National Authority at the Ministry of European Integration of the Republic of Serbia.
The Committee members approved the Final Implementation Report of the 2014–2020 Programme, as well as the Evaluation Reports under the open and restricted Calls for Proposals for direct and indirect support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The Committee also adopted the application package for the new, seventh Call under Priority 1 “Competitive Border Region,” aimed at fostering innovation, employment, and the sustainability of local businesses.
The RESCALE project is the first of its kind initiative in the cross-border region, designed to help SMEs work together – from an idea to a ready prototype of a product or service. With a total budget of more than EUR 6 million, the project aims to unite 200 companies from both sides of the border, which will take part in dozens of trainings, mentoring programmes, innovation challenges, and international exhibitions in four strategic areas: internationalisation, green transformation and ESG, digitalisation, and tourism development. The objective is to create new opportunities for growth, innovation, and sustainable partnerships that will make the region more competitive and attractive for investments. One of the expected long-term effects of the project is the creation of new jobs and improved working and living conditions in the border areas, giving people more opportunities to grow and stay in the region.
During the meeting, an overview of the implementation progress of the 2021–2027 programming period was presented. The Programme has already activated 100% of its financial resources through announced Calls for Proposals. Currently, 11 projects with a total budget exceeding EUR 16 million are under implementation, and the share of approved projects is expected to reach 70% after the completion of ongoing evaluations.
Among the highlights was also the strategic project on joint disaster risk management, implemented in cooperation between the Ministries of Interior of both countries, the Academy of the Ministry of Interior, and the National Association of Volunteers in Bulgaria. The project aims to enhance institutional readiness and coordination in case of natural and industrial emergencies.
On behalf of the European Commission, Ms. Margarita Grancharska-De Muynck, representative of the Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy, participated in the meeting and congratulated the partners from both sides for the high quality of implementation and the sustainable results achieved under the Programme.
The fifth meeting of the Monitoring Committee once again demonstrated that INTERREG is more than a programme – it is a joint effort for development, solidarity, and trust between the people on both sides of the border.
