Information Day and Partner Search Forum Held in Blagoevgrad

On 3 July 2025, an Information Day for applicants under the open call for project proposals for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) was held in the “22nd September” Hall in the city of Blagoevgrad. The event was organized within the framework of the call for project proposals for SMEs under Priority 3 – Integrated Development of the Border Region of the Interreg VI-A IPA Bulgaria – North Macedonia Programme.

The participants were welcomed by the Deputy Mayor of Blagoevgrad Municipality, Ms. Boryana Shalyavska, as well as by representatives of the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works of the Republic of Bulgaria and the Ministry of Local Self-Government of the Republic of North Macedonia. In their speeches, they emphasized the importance of cross-border cooperation and the need to support the development of SMEs in the border areas.

The event generated considerable interest, attracting more than 100 participants from both countries. Among the attendees were representatives of small and medium-sized enterprises, chambers of commerce, local and regional authorities, non-governmental organizations, as well as potential programme partners. The Information Day provided up-to-date and detailed information on the open call, including eligibility conditions, eligible activities and costs, the procedure for submitting project proposals through the JEMS system, and the evaluation criteria. Experts from the Managing Authority answered numerous specific questions and clarified the practical aspects of preparing and submitting project proposals.

The second part of the event featured a Partner Search Forum, aimed at fostering cross-border partnerships between organisations from Bulgaria and North Macedonia. Participants had the opportunity to introduce themselves to the audience, share ideas for future joint initiatives, and establish direct contacts with one another. The forum took place in an active and dynamic atmosphere, leading to the creation of valuable connections and the identification of potential partnerships that may evolve into project proposals under the current call.

The event in Blagoevgrad significantly contributed to raising awareness of the funding opportunities under the programme and laid the groundwork for building sustainable cross-border business and organisational networks.

You can find the presentations from the Information Day and Partner Search Forum HERE