Bulgaria launches 240 mln euro digital networks construction grant

Bulgarian or foreign companies can apply for grants totalling 468.9 million levs ($247.1 million/239.7 million euro) to finance the construction of digital networks in remote and sparsely populated areas in the country, the transport and communications ministry in Sofia said on Friday.

The initiative, funded under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, aims to bridge the digital divide by developing high-capacity networks in areas where telecommunications investment is lacking, the ministry said in a statement. Over half of the targeted areas will be rural, remote or sparsely populated.

The programme will expand optical connectivity to 140 municipal centres and connect at least 700 base stations to the newly built transmission networks, securing high-speed internet access for at least 350,000 Bulgarians.

Additionally, the procedure will enhance the 7,500 km-long integrated state communication network, which currently connects over 1,200 central and local administrations and other public sector organisations.

Applicants should propose projects covering one of Bulgaria’s six planning regions – Northwestern, North-Central, Northeastern, Southeastern, South-Central and Southwestern. Companies will contribute a minimum of 10% of the project costs themselves.

Project proposals can be submitted until April 11.

(1 euro = 1.95583 levs)