On November 23, 2011 /Wednesday/, in the presence of the Minister of Regional Development Mrs. Lilyana Pavlova, the Head of OPRD Managing Authority Mrs. Denitsa Nikolova will sign contracts with the mayors of 29 municipalities for the approved projects under the scheme BG161PO001/3.1-03/2010 "Support for the development of natural, cultural and historic attractions."

The scheme is implemented with the financial support from the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund. 46 proposals are approved for funding under the scheme and the total amount of grants under the OPRD amounts to 162 million lv. Contracts with the rest of the approved applicants under the scheme (17 applicants) will be signed upon the provision of the required documents according to Decision RD-02-14-1571 / 22.07.2011 of the Head of the OPRD Managing Authority.

The amount of grant for the upcoming 29 contracts is approximately 100 million lv. and will be provided for the development of integrated tourist products within the approved municipalities, incl.:

• Development of natural, cultural and historical attractions - restoration, conservation, exhibition, equipment, introduction of techniques and programs for interpretation and animation;

• Development tourism related infrastructure - walking and wellness paths, hiking, riding and bicycling trails, picnic places, visitor centers;

• Development of additional small scale technical infrastructure in the region of attractions - roads / access roads, playgrounds, children, leisure and sport facilities, car parks, pavement, landscaping, lavatories, lighting, small waste collection facilities etc.), incl. facilities and amenities for disabled and elderly visitors, needed to develop a comprehensive tourism product;• ongoing training of staff working in supported attractions;

• Additional small-scale non-infrastructural activities directly related to supporting attractions - organizing events in the region of attraction, marketing and promotional activities.

The official signing of contracts will be held on November 23, 2011 /Wednesday/ at 12.00 noon, at the Central mineral bath in Sofia.

Individual signing will take place on the same day according to the approved schedule in the "Press room" in the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works, “St. St. Cyril and Methodius "17-19 Str.