The Human Resources Development Programme (2021-2027) has been officially approved by the European Commission and is the first programme in Bulgaria to receive the green light from Brussels. The HRDP (2021-2027) is co-financed by the European Social Fund + and the national budget. The programme has a budget of more than BGN 3.8 billion, which is expected to support more than 740 000 people in Bulgaria.

Through the implementation of the Human Resources Development Programme, support will be provided for the development of the workforce in Bulgaria and overcoming the challenges facing the labour market. Over the next seven years, measures will be implemented to provide more opportunities to improve the qualifications, knowledge and skills of employees. The most vulnerable groups in society - the unemployed, people with disabilities, people living in poverty, children, the elderly, representatives of the Roma community will receive support for full inclusion in the economic and social life of the country.

The HRDP will support vulnerable people and their families. The support will be complex - on the one hand, opportunities for professional realization will be created, and on the other - their access to quality social and health services will be improved. The socio-economic integration of disadvantaged people will be promoted by increasing the range and quality of services provided. It is planned to identify the individual needs of each person in need and to prepare profiles with the most appropriate measures for that person. European funds will be used to provide services and quality care in the community or at home.

For the first time, “Youth Employment” is a separate priority in the programme. With a budget of over BGN 735 million, measures will be implemented to identify, inform and motivate inactive young people, include them in employment, placements, training and support for first jobs. An individual approach and comprehensive support will also be provided for disadvantaged young people in the labour market. The main objective of the measures will be to facilitate the transition from education to employment.

BGN 20 million from the Human Resources Development Programme (2021-2027) will be directed to projects for social experimentation, testing and implementation of social innovations in the field of labour market and social inclusion. Part of the funding will encourage the testing and evaluation of innovative solutions before they are implemented on a larger scale. Social and solidarity economy enterprises can play a key role in achieving social innovation. The HRDP will support the activities of the Competence Centre for Social Innovation. This will support the development of social innovation in social and solidarity economy enterprises.