The Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works announced on 30.08.2011 a direct grant procedure under Operational Programme Regional Development 2007-2013, Priority Axis 1 Sustainable and Integrated Urban Development, operation 1.2. Housing Policy, scheme BG161PO001/1.2-02/2011 Support of modern social housing for vulnerable, minority and socially disadvantaged groups as well as other disadvantaged population groups with direct beneficiaries being the municipalities of Bourgas, Vidin, Devnya and Dupnitsa. The following beneficiaries are left on the reserve list (in the event of sufficient amount of decommitted funds): 1.Varna Municipality, 2. Peshtera Municipality and Tundja Municipality.

This scheme aims at:

• contributing to the social inclusion of disadvantage and vulnerable people by raising their standard of living and improving the quality of housing for urban communities in general;
• providing modern social housing for vulnerable, minority and socially disadvantaged groups as well as other disadvantaged population groups;
• ensuring social inclusion, territorial integration and equal access to adequate housing for disadvantaged and deprived people;  

The scheme is implemented with the financial support of the European Commission via the European Regional Development Fund.

Direct beneficiaries – Bourgas Municipality, Vidin Municipality, Devnya Municipality and Dupnitsa Municipality.

Supported activities within the project:

• creating new buildings for social housing on plots which are 100-percent municipal property where the representatives of the target group will be accommodated;
• the repair, renovation and upgrade of the existing buildings 100% which are 100-percent municipal property built for social housing;
• supply of appropriate equipment and furniture to the above buildings/premises and providing for essential household conditions;
• improved access of the disabled to the above buildings/premises.

The total grant amount is 15 659 106.46 BGN.

Deadline for project proposals: 1 March 2012, 16:00 p.m.