Human Resources Development Programme
Programme description
Main objectives
The ESF+ Human Resources Development Programme for Bulgaria aims to reach more than 740 000 participants or every 8th person in the country. The programme includes measures for upskilling and reskilling, access to jobs – with a focus on young people – and promoting social inclusion for vulnerable persons, such as those with disabilities, the elderly and children.
Employment and Skills
Major investments will be dedicated to reinforce the national labour market. This will help more individuals to gain and improve qualifications, and will provide targeted support for job creation and the promotion of entrepreneurship. Preparing the labour market for the digital and green economy, with expanded access to training courses and employment opportunities is of strategic importance.
Job Opportunities for Young People
Dedicated activities will be designed to identify, inform and motivate young people who are not in employment, education or training, enabling them to participate in traineeships and apprenticeships, or to continue their studies and actively seek support for access to the labour market. The aim is to ease the transition from education to employment and help young people find their first job.
The programme will also support the international mobility of disadvantaged young people not in employment, education or training through the new ALMA (Aim, Learn, Master, Achieve) initiative, which offers short-term work placements abroad and individual coaching.
Social Inclusion and Equal Opportunities
Access to social and health services will be expanded. Support for long-term community and at-home care services to ensure independent and dignified living for older people and persons with disabilities is of strategic importance. Strategic importance is also assigned to the establishment of integrated health and social services and measures preventing institutionalisation, implementing the EU’s new Long Term Care Strategy.
The programme has a strong focus on reducing child poverty and improving socio-economic integration of marginalised groups, such as Roma.
Expected impacts
Jobs and skills
- More than 330 000 participants will be supported to find employment, including more than 45 000 Roma;
- More than 115 000 young people will be helped to find their first job;
- More than 142 000 participants will receive training to boost their digital skills;
- More than 207 000 participants will gain new qualifications.
Social inclusion
- Better access to social, health and integrated services for more than 102 000 people – including 40 000 children in need;
- Support for more than 99 000 participants from marginalised communities, such as Roma.
Social innovation
- At least 200 social entrepreneurs will be supported to develop innovative solutions to social policy challenges.
Financial information
Breakdown of finances by priority axis
| Priority Axis | EU Investment | National Public Contribution | Total Public Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| ESF+ | 1.620.530.211,00 | 313.549.502,00 | 1.934.079.713,00 |
| Total | 1.620.530.211,00 | 313.549.502,00 | 1.934.079.713,00 |
Priorities and Specific Objectives
Social Europe
Access to employment and activation measures for all
Intergration of marginalised communities such as Roma
Equal access to quality social and healthcare services
Modernising labour market institutions
Gender balanced labour market participation
Adaptation of workers and enterprises to change
Lifelong learning and career transitions
Active inclusion and employability