The European Commission approved the Cross-border cooperation Programme between Bulgaria and North Macedonia for the programming period 2021-2027

The European Commission gave the green light for the launch of the  INTERREG VI-A IPP Bulgaria - North Macedonia 2021-2027 Programme with a decision dated November 29, 2022.

Over the next 7 years, a resource of over 31 million euros will be invested in the cross-border region of the Programme - the municipalities of Blagoevgrad and Kyustendil in our country and the North-East, East and South-East planning regions in North Macedonia.

The largest part of the programme budget, over 15.5 million euros, is planned to be allocated to finance projects for integrated territorial development focused on the region's specific needs. Within this priority, activities will be supported by the development of complete, integrated and sustainable tourism products, for increasing the production capacity of SMEs and expanding their economic activity to new markets and products.

To improve regional connectivity and stimulate economic growth in the cross-border region, the construction of the Border crossing checkpoint "Strumyani-Berovo" and related infrastructure will be financed. The District Administration of Blagoevgrad and the Customs Administration of the Republic of North Macedonia will implement the project.

Investments for the construction of green areas in urban and suburban areas, development of natural green urban areas and green areas for water management are included in the Priority "Greener cross-border region" with a resource of 5.2 million euros.