The Government of Bulgaria is actively developing new approaches for the development and improvement of the key sectors of the country. One of them is the creation of the national programme “Bulgaria 2030”. What is the purpose of its establishment? Which areas of activity does this strategy cover? Is its implementation important for the further development of Bulgaria? Read on to find out more.
Why was the national programme “Bulgaria 2030” developed?
The National Development Programme “Bulgaria 2030” is a key strategic document that defines the vision and general objectives of the country’s development policy until 2030. It was approved by the Council of Ministers of Bulgaria by Decree No. 33 of 20 January 2020 and a detailed version of 2 December 2020.
This programme covers all key sectors of public administration and is aimed at achieving sustainable socio-economic development. It is based on the UN principles of the Sustainable Development Goals and provides for the implementation of measures with performance indicators, financial support and monitoring mechanisms.
The aim of the programme is to transform Bulgaria into a modern, competitive state with a high standard of living, an innovative economy and sustainable development. To achieve this, the document identifies three strategic goals that must be reached within 10 years, namely:
- accelerated economic development: focusing on increasing productivity, innovation and competitiveness of the economy
- demographic uplift: measures to overcome the demographic crisis, support birth rates and improve quality of life
- reduction of inequalities: ensuring social inclusion, stable economic development in all regions of the country, as well as support for vulnerable groups
Directions and priorities of the programme “Bulgaria 2030”
To achieve the set goals, the Government of Bulgaria has identified 5 interconnected development directions, which in turn group governmental initiatives into 13 national priorities. Each direction provides for specific measures, funding and alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Which directions and priorities form the basis of this national programme? Let us examine them in detail.
1. Innovative and intelligent Bulgaria
This direction is aimed at the development of education, science, and industry. Its main goal is to increase the competitiveness of the country’s economy by forming an environment favourable for creating new products, markets for innovative enterprises and an industrial base.
Priorities of this direction:
- P1. Education and skills: ensuring inclusive access to education, improving teachers’ qualifications and developing key competences in accordance with the LLL (lifelong learning) principle
- P2. Science and scientific infrastructure: investments in research, modernisation of laboratories and cooperation with business
- P3. Intellectual industry: support for smart production, digitalisation and innovation in industry
2. Green and sustainable Bulgaria
One of the key development directions highlighted by the Government of Bulgaria is environmental sustainability, which includes the sustainable management of natural resources, transition to a low-carbon economy and preservation of nature.
Priorities of this direction:
- P4. Circular and low-carbon economy: development of circular economy, energy efficiency and renewable energy sources
- P5. Clean air and biodiversity: measures aimed at reducing pollution, preserving ecosystems and adapting to climate change
- P6. Sustainable agriculture: modernisation of the agricultural sector, organic production and rational use of resources
3. Connected and integrated Bulgaria
The programme “Bulgaria 2030” also emphasises the role of infrastructure in strengthening internal links within the country and with the EU in particular.
Priorities of this direction:
- P7. Transport connectivity: development of roads, railways, and airports for better mobility
- P8. Digital connectivity: expansion of high-speed internet, especially in rural areas, and digitalisation of services
- P9. Local development: support for regions, urbanisation, and reduction of disparities between cities and rural areas
4. Responsible and fair Bulgaria
An important direction that will contribute to Bulgaria’s comprehensive development is the strengthening of public institutions and social justice among the population.
Priorities of this direction:
- P10. Institutional structure: public administration reforms, combating corruption and digitalising administrative processes
- P11. Social inclusion: support for vulnerable population groups, combating poverty and ensuring equal opportunities
5. Spiritual and vital Bulgaria
Finally, the fifth direction of the programme “Bulgaria 2030” is the development of human potential through improvements in healthcare, culture and sport.
Priorities of this direction:
- P12. Health and sport: modernisation of healthcare, disease prevention and promotion of sports
- P13. Culture, heritage, tourism: preservation of cultural heritage, development of tourism and creative industries
“Bulgaria 2030” provides that the main part of funding will come from Europe. For transparency and objective assessment of results within the programme, ministries and bodies responsible for achieving the established goals must submit annual reports on the work performed. In addition, one of the key control mechanisms is the assessment of the strategy’s impact on macroeconomic indicators such as GDP, employment and environmental indicators.
It can be concluded that this strategy reflects Bulgaria’s ambitions to become a leader in the region by overcoming the challenges of demography and economic underdevelopment. The success of its implementation directly depends on cooperation between the government, business and society, with regular adjustments and improvements based on systematic monitoring.
