The Ministry of Innovation and Digital Transformation has opened procedure BG16RFPR001-2.003 “Introduction of Green Technologies in SMEs” under the Programme “Competitiveness and Innovation in Enterprises” 2021–2027, co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund.
With a total budget of EUR 82,995,277, the procedure is one of the main funding opportunities for Bulgarian enterprises planning investments in resource efficiency, circular production and environmentally sustainable products and services.
Objective of the procedure
The procedure aims to support the introduction of green technologies and accelerate the transition to a circular economy. Projects should introduce circular production or consumption models that improve resource efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of the applicant’s operations.
The measure also contributes to the Integrated Territorial Investments approach. Projects implemented in municipalities covered by approved ITI concepts may receive priority during the evaluation.
Eligible applicants
Eligible applicants are micro, small and medium-sized enterprises that are traders within the meaning of the Bulgarian Commerce Act or the Cooperatives Act. Equivalent entities established in another country of the European Economic Area may also apply, subject to the conditions specified in the application documents.
Applicants must meet the applicable requirements concerning SME status, economic activity, financial standing and absence of grounds for exclusion.
They must also have achieved the following minimum average annual net sales revenue for the three-year period covering 2023, 2024 and 2025:
| Enterprise category | Minimum average annual net sales revenue |
|---|---|
| Microenterprise | BGN 200,000 |
| Small enterprise | BGN 300,000 |
| Medium-sized enterprise | BGN 800,000 |
The calculation is based solely on the applicant’s individual financial statements. Revenue generated by partner or linked enterprises is not included.
As a general rule, the economic activity for which support is requested must be either the applicant’s principal activity or an additional activity that generated at least 20% of its net sales revenue in 2025.
Support may also be requested for a new economic activity when it involves the production or provision of products or services using residual raw materials or waste, or services intended to extend the useful life of products or services already offered by the applicant.
Certain sectors and economic activities are excluded or subject to additional restrictions. Eligibility should therefore be checked against the applicable KID-2025 economic activity code before an application is prepared.
Eligible investments
Every project must include the mandatory investment component, Element I. It covers the introduction of green technologies for the implementation of one or more circular production or consumption models.
| Type of asset | Eligible examples |
|---|---|
| Tangible fixed assets | New machinery, facilities and equipment |
| Intangible fixed assets | Software, patents, utility models, industrial designs and licences |
All proposed assets must be directly necessary for the introduction of the selected green technology and circular model.
The investment must address at least one of the following areas:
| Area | Examples of eligible circular models |
|---|---|
| Waste management | Waste reduction, preparation for reuse, recycling, waste processing and use of processed waste as a production input |
| Raw materials and water | Use of recycled, residual or bio-based raw materials; reduction of raw material or water consumption; replacement or reduction of hazardous substances |
| Packaging | Reduction or elimination of packaging; replacement with recyclable, reusable, biodegradable, compostable or other environmentally friendly packaging |
| Sustainable products and services | Reuse, repair, refurbishment, modernisation, longer product life, easier disassembly and recycling, product-as-a-service models and replacement of plastic products with sustainable alternatives |
The application must explain how each proposed asset, group of related assets or the investment as a whole will introduce the selected circular model. Purchasing new equipment by itself is not sufficient.
Applicants must define measurable qualitative or quantitative results. These may include a reduction in raw material or water consumption per unit of output, a reduction in generated waste, the use of a specified quantity of recycled material or an increase in the useful life of a product. Failure to achieve and document the approved results may result in expenditure being rejected or funding already paid being recovered.
Environmental standards
Projects may also include the optional Element II, which supports services for achieving compliance with recognised environmental standards.
| Supported standard or scheme | Required project result |
|---|---|
| EMAS | Valid EMAS registration |
| BDS EN ISO 14001 | Certificate for the introduced environmental management system |
| BDS EN ISO 14006 | Certificate for the introduced environmental management system incorporating ecodesign |
| EU Ecolabel | Certificate granting the right to use the EU Ecolabel |
Element II cannot be submitted independently. It is eligible only when combined with the mandatory investment under Element I.
The relevant certificate, registration or right of use must be obtained within the project implementation period. Recertification of an existing system, EMAS registration or EU Ecolabel is not eligible for funding.
Grant amount
The minimum grant per project is EUR 77,000. The maximum amount depends on the selected aid regime and the category of the applicant.
| Aid regime | Enterprise category | Maximum grant |
|---|---|---|
| De minimis aid | Micro, small or medium-sized enterprise | EUR 300,000 |
| Regional investment aid | Microenterprise | EUR 300,000 |
| Regional investment aid | Small enterprise | EUR 350,000 |
| Regional investment aid | Medium-sized enterprise | EUR 450,000 |
The requested grant is also limited by the applicant’s average annual net sales revenue for 2023–2025:
| Enterprise category | Maximum grant as a percentage of average annual net sales revenue |
|---|---|
| Microenterprise | 100% |
| Small enterprise | 60% |
| Medium-sized enterprise | 40% |
The final applicable ceiling is determined by all relevant limitations, including the enterprise category, aid regime and average annual revenue.
Aid intensity
The maximum aid intensity may reach 70% of eligible project expenditure, but this percentage does not apply automatically to every project.
Under the de minimis regime, the maximum aid intensity is 70% for all SME categories. Under the regional investment aid regime, it depends on the size of the enterprise and the location of the investment.
| Investment location | Micro and small enterprises | Medium-sized enterprises |
|---|---|---|
| Outside the South-West Region | 70% | 60% |
| Sofia City | 35% | 25% |
| Sofia Province | 65% | 55% |
| Blagoevgrad Province | 65% | 55% |
| Pernik Province | 40% | 30% |
| Kyustendil Province | 40% | 30% |
Under Element I, applicants must choose either regional investment aid or de minimis aid. Element II is financed exclusively under the de minimis regime.
Applicants should also verify whether previously received de minimis aid affects the funding available for the proposed project.
Number of applications
Each applicant may submit only one project proposal. If the same applicant submits more than one proposal, only the most recently submitted proposal will be evaluated. Earlier proposals will be treated as withdrawn.
Additional restrictions apply when several linked enterprises carrying out similar activities submit applications. In such cases, funding may be awarded to only one of them.
Application deadline and submission
The deadline for submitting project proposals is:
| Deadline | Submission method |
|---|---|
| 4:30 p.m. on 10 November 2026 | Entirely online through ISUN |
Applications must be submitted through the Information System for Management and Monitoring of EU Funds, in the “European Funds under Shared Management 2021–2027” section and the “E-Application” module.
The application form and supporting documents must be submitted using a valid Qualified Electronic Signature. The form may be signed by the applicant’s official representative or by an authorised person, subject to the requirements concerning authorisation and the declarations that must be signed by the official representatives.
Questions concerning the application conditions may be submitted only through ISUN and no later than three weeks before the application deadline. The answers will be published on the programme website and in the procedure’s ISUN section.
Documents and further information
The complete application conditions, implementation conditions and accompanying documents are available on the official website of the Ministry of Innovation and Digital Transformation:
Applications are submitted through ISUN at:
https://eumis2020.government.bg/bg/s/Procedure/Info/5023bcbb-36a8-441e-91ff-b92abdb79b9f
