site.btaDeputy Labour Minister: Our Biggest Goal Is Better Living in Bulgaria

The money which the EU will pour into the Bulgarian economy in the next few years will help the nation achieve what it wants, "not the EU goals but the biggest goal of all: a better, more comfortable and more harmonious living of a higher standard in Bulgaria," Deputy Labour and Social Policy Minister Natalia Efremova said on Tuesday. She was speaking at the first regional conference of the EU-backed BTA project Europe in Bulgaria: A Common Future, which took place in Burgas.

Efremova said that Operational Programme Human Resources Development, the first Bulgarian programme to be approved by the European Commission for the new period, is focused on promoting youth employment and social innovation and is expected to benefit 750,000 people. According to her, the Programme will use BGN 1.6 billion to promote employment, develop worker skills and support entrepreneurs. "Over 130,000 Bulgarian citizens will be prepared for the digital transition in our economy, and over 170,000 employed and unemployed persons will be taught new skills," she explained.

Another priority area is social inclusion and equal opportunities, with a budget of BGN 1.4 billion targeting 220,000 beneficiaries.

Unlike before, youth employment is a separate priority, Efremova noted. Its budget is BGN 735 million, which is expected to benefit 115,000 young people aged up to 29. "Young people's transition from education to employment will be facilitated with EU support," she said, adding that 30,000 young people will be prepared for the digital transition in the economy through training courses.

Social innovation is another new priority. A novel initiative called ALMA will support the labour market integration of young members of vulnerable groups.

A Recovery and Resilience Plan procedure of particular relevance to Burgas is the establishment of a regional centre for the development of the social economy, Efremova said. Burgas will be one of six Bulgarian towns to host such a centre. The idea is to promote enterprises which create special added value for socially disadvantaged people.