The Managing Authority of the Human Resources Development Programme 2021–2027 has opened procedure BG05SFPR002-1.023 “Support for the Development of Social Economy Enterprises – CLLD” for applications. The operation aims to support the development of social enterprises by facilitating the hiring of people at a disadvantage and providing staff training to develop and improve their skills, competences and qualifications. Social enterprises will be supported in achieving more sustainable development and better market positioning of their products and services, including through marketing and equipment purchases.
Particular emphasis is placed on hiring women, people with reduced working capacity, and the long-term unemployed.
Who can apply
- Social enterprises registered in the Register of Social Enterprises
- Social and solidarity economy entities — cooperatives and non-profit legal entities
- Municipal enterprises
- Employers and NGOs registered under the Non-Profit Legal Entities Act, operating within the territory of a Local Action Group (LAG) with an approved development strategy
What is funded
- Wages and social security contributions for employees from vulnerable groups, for up to 12 months
- Purchase of equipment, machinery, furnishings, hardware and software
- Training and on-the-job mentoring, including digital skills
- Workplace adaptation for people with disabilities
- Marketing and promotion of products and services
Funding parameters
- Grant intensity: up to 100%, with no co-financing required
- Grant size: typically between BGN 15,000 and BGN 200,000 per project (depends on the budget of the respective LAG)
- Total national budget of the measure: approximately EUR 2.4 million
Application deadlines
- Opening date: 18 September 2026, 11:00
- First application window closes: 15 December 2026, 17:00
- Second application window: 1 July 2027 – 15 September 2027, 17:00
How to apply
Applications are submitted entirely online through the ISUN 2020 system, via the Local Action Group (LAG) covering the applicant’s territory.
Link to the procedure: https://eumis2020.government.bg/bg/s/Procedure/Info/70c75ab7-9772-4da6-a9be-6e0b6380e535
This news item has been created with the financial support of the Research, Innovation and Digitalization for Smart Transformation Program 2021-2027, co-financed by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund under project BG16RFPR002-1.002-0001 -C01 “Accelerated digitalization for SMEs in the Central Region through the creation and development of EDIH.” The Regional Innovation Center “Ambitious Gabrovo” bears full responsibility for the content of the document and under no circumstances can it be assumed that this document reflects the official position of the European Union and the managing authority.
