In order to direct funds to measures to overcome the negative economic consequences for the Bulgarian economy from the epidemic spread of COVID-19, the budget of Operational Programme “Transport and Transport Infrastructure” 2014-2020 (OPTTI) is changed and redirected as BFP resource under the programme.
In connection with the global crisis related to COVID-19, the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria consulted the services of the European Commission with a view to legislative changes providing additional flexibility in the use of the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF).As a result, a number of measures were taken, part of which concern the amendment of the OPTTI: The Council of Ministers of the Republic of Bulgaria agreed to redistribute the contribution from the ESIS through transfer of funds between the operational programmes 2014-2020 to support measures to minimise the negative consequences of the epidemic spread of COVID-19.
Funds amounting to BGN 192 578 104 are transferred from OPTTI to Operational Programme “Innovation and Competitiveness” through three transfers with decisions of the Council of Ministers as follows:
Transfer № 1 – with the Council of Ministers 256/14.04.2020:
Funds amounting to BGN 48 666 000 (EUR 882 531, of which EUR 21 150 151 under the ERDF and EUR 3 732 380 from national co-financing).
Transfer № 2 – with the Council of Ministers 319/11.05.2020:
Funds amounting to BGN 113 912 104 (EUR 58 242 334, of which EUR 49 505 984 under CF and EUR 8 736 350 from national co-financing).
Transfer № 3 – with the Council of Ministers 462/07.07.2020:
Funds amounting to BGN 30 000 000 (EUR 15 338 756, of which EUR 13 037 943 under CF and EUR 2 300 813 from national co-financing).
The redirected funds are from non-contracted resources under the OPTTI as BFP and the amendment of the programme was officially approved by a decision of the European Commission on 25 August 2020, after a coordination procedure by the national authorities.
The current version of OPTTI, as well as previous amendments can be found here:
https: //www.eufunds.bg/bg/optti/term/386
