Sharing ideas - Bulgaria

Updated 09/2011

Legal requirements

If you want to find out areas the government is planning to support in the near future, you can see the priorities in the approved National Innovation Strategy. The aim is to enhance economic competitiveness, attract investment, stimulate the transfer and implementation of modern technologies and to secure funding for innovation.

National Innovation Strategy [582 KB]

Special legislation has been drafted to allow concessions in other areas, such as renewable energy sources. In Bulgaria, the energy strategy was drafted at the same time as the Energy Efficiency Act (ZEE).

Energy Efficiency Act (ZEE)
Energy Act (ZE)

Technological innovation

For technological innovations, there is a programme co-funded by the EU to enhance competitiveness, along with procedures for granting financial assistance. You can found more information about the programme and the procedures for granting financial assistance at:

The Operational Programme 'Development of the Competitiveness of the Bulgarian Economy 2007-2013'

Alongside innovation, access to R&D is essential for businesses to develop and stay competitive.

Research — Bulgaria

Intellectual property must be protected to encourage innovation.

Intellectual property — Bulgaria

Administrative procedures

If you want to set up a power company, you need to apply for a permit from the State Energy and Water Regulation Commission.

Bulgarian State Energy and Water Regulation Commission

Programmes

Bulgaria has a National Innovation Foundation which regularly publishes auctions for companies with innovations requiring funding.

National Innovation Fund

The Energy Efficiency Fund provides funding to joint projects such as training staff in the proper use of new energy-saving equipment. It also provides technical support and advice.

Energy Efficiency Fund

The Operational Programme "Development of the Competitiveness of the Bulgarian Economy 2007-2013" is based on the principle of social and economic partnership under the coordination of the Ministry of the Economy, Energy and Tourism.

Ministry of the Economy, Energy and Tourism
The Operational Programme 'Development of the Competitiveness of the Bulgarian Economy 2007-2013'
Support for the Development of Innovative Business Start-Ups

You can find more information on funding from EU programmes and the structural funds on the website of the Ministry of Finance.

EU Structural Funds

Bulgaria has approved a renewable energy sources programme which will run until 2015. The government has undertaken to buy thermal energy produced from biomass. The programme encourages the production and import of the relevant technology. It is managed by the Ministry of the Economy and Energy.