The 1st Call for proposals under IPA cross-border programme Bulgaria – Turkey is launching today. Management of the programme is carried out by the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works in Republic of Bulgarian side and Turkish International Cooperation and Development Agency (TIKA) in Republic of Turkey.
The overall objective of the programme is to strengthen sustainable economic development, to improve the overall social development and quality of life, and to promote social cohesion between the people and communities in the cross-border region.
The total budget of the programme for the 2007-2009 programming period is 11.814.525 Euro, of which 10.042.346 Euro is a EU contribution. The remaining 1.772.179 Euro is national contribution from national budgets of Bulgaria and Turkey.
The total amount allocated for first call for proposals is 6.294 million. Allocations for individual projects will be between 10 000 Euro and 600 000 Euro.
Project proposals would have to target one of the following priority areas - Sustainable Social & Economic Development and Improvement the Quality of Life.
Proposals may be submitted by local, regional or national authorities, national and regional agencies, nature park administrations, cultural, educational and health care institutions, community centers, regional employment agencies, non-governmental and business organizations, Euro-regions etc.
Every project must include at least one partner from each side of the border region and Lead Partner must be registered within eligible border region at least 12 months before the deadline for submission of project proposals.
The eligible cross-border co-operation area includes districts of Bourgas, Yambol and Haskovo on the Bulgarian side and provinces of Edirne and Kırklareli on the Turkish side.
The deadline for submission of proposals is 28th December 2009.
The full Applicants Guide and Application Package are available for downloading on the following web addresses: www.ipacbc-bgtr.eu, www.mrrb.government.bg, www.bgregio.eu , http://soi.tika.gov.tr and www.eufunds.bg