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SOFIA – Nearly 630,000 Bulgarians and their families will be supported under the European Union (EU) “Human Resources Development” program until 2030, announced the Bulgarian team of the program on the occasion of the World Day for Decent Work. About 820 million euros from the European Social Fund + will be directed to the development of labor potential in Bulgaria and to address labor market challenges.
The program envisions improving working and living conditions, adapting to the transition to “green” jobs, digitizing technological processes, and introducing artificial intelligence. Various projects are planned to employ disadvantaged people, youth, and the long-term unemployed.
So far, around 2,400 projects with a total value of over 760 million euros have facilitated access to employment for people from vulnerable social groups and improved the quality of thousands of jobs, the announcement said.
Every fifth Bulgarian has received support from the European Social Fund over the past seven years, clarified Ivaylo Ivanov, acting Minister of Labor and Social Policy, who participated in the forum “Europe is with Me” in Sofia. According to him, thanks to the program, over 100,000 employed and unemployed have undergone training and become more competent in the labor market. Nearly 90,000 Bulgarians have started new jobs, and 115,000 young people have had the opportunity to gain initial work experience under the “Youth Employment” measure, the minister noted. According to him, the funds from the European Social Fund have also reached the most vulnerable – children, the elderly, and people with disabilities.
The “Human Resources Development” program (2021-2027) supports the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights. In the EU budget until 2027, a total of over 142 billion euros are planned for the European Social Fund +. (7.10.2024)