Who can apply for funding under national calls and European Union programs?

Funding opportunities are open to a wide range of applicants - private enterprises, municipalities, non-governmental organizations, scientific and educational institutions, as well as partnerships between them. Each fund, each call or procedure has specific conditions and requirements, so it is important to analyze the eligibility and potential of the applicant in advance.

What does "eligibility of costs" mean and why is it important?

The eligibility of costs is one of the most strictly controlled aspects of any project. Only costs that are directly linked to the activities carried out within the eligible period and supported by correct documentation can be recognized.NORTAN experts perform detailed verification and ensure compliance with the requirements of the governing authorities, which reduces the risk of financial corrections.

What are the main stages in managing an EU-funded project?

The project cycle goes through several key phases:Analysis of client needs and identification of suitable financing opportunities;Development of a project idea and preparation of a proposal;Assessment and approval by the Managing Authority;Implementation, monitoring and control of activities;Final reporting and sustainability of results.NORTAN Ltd offers comprehensive support at every stage - from concept to successful completion of the project.

What are the most common reasons for project proposals being rejected?

Among the most common errors are incomplete or incorrect documentation, a mismatch between the project objectives, the scope and priorities of the program, as well as incorrect budget structuring, which includes expenses for remuneration, the purchase of equipment and other external services.Our team conducts a thorough analysis before submitting the project proposal to ensure full compliance and increase the likelihood of approval.

How does the project reporting and control process work?

Reporting includes the presentation of detailed technical and financial reports that demonstrate the implementation of activities and the achievement of results.NORTAN provides methodological and expert support throughout the entire process, from documentation preparation to communication with governing bodies, ensuring accuracy, transparency, and legality at the completion of each project.NORTAN Ltd. experts, with proven experience in writing technical and financial reports, provide full support in their preparation and reporting to the competent institutions.

What is cascade funding?

Cascading Funding is a mechanism where the European Commission provides funds to a lead beneficiary (usually a consortium), which then distributes part of these funds to third parties (SMEs, start-ups, NGOs, researchers) through open calls for applications.This type of funding is widely used in programs such as Horizon Europe and Digital Europe and is also known as Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP) .

Do you work with municipalities?

Yes, we work with municipalities and municipal enterprises , providing expert support in project development and implementation, including strategic planning, application and subsequent management.

Do you work with non-governmental organizations (NGOs)?

Yes, we work with non-governmental organizations , including foundations and associations, in preparing and implementing projects in areas such as social activities, education, culture, innovation and sustainable development.

Do you work with other organizations?

Yes, in addition to SMEs, municipalities and NGOs, we also work with:universities and scientific organizations;public institutions and agencies;startups and innovative companies;consortia and partnerships on international projects.

What does co-financing mean?

Co-financing is the part of the project budget that is not covered by European funding and is provided by the beneficiary or other sources.

What are eligible costs?

These are costs that:are directly related to the project;were made within the eligibility period;comply with the rules of the relevant program;are duly documented.

SME Innovation Support in Local Action Group (LAG) Territories – Grants up to €102,500

4 days ago
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This call has a strict territorial focus and applies exclusively to the territories of Local Action Groups (LAGs) in rural areas that have received approved complementary funding under the Competitiveness and Innovation in Enterprises Programme (CIEP).

Objective of the Call

The objective of the procedure is to provide financial support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) for implementing innovations based on new or improved products and/or business processes.

Funding is provided under the following programme priorities:

Priority 1 – "Innovation and Growth"

Specific Objective RSO 1.1"Developing and enhancing research and innovation capacities and the uptake of advanced technologies."

This priority supports projects falling within the following Innovation Strategy for Smart Specialisation (S3 Strategy) 2021–2027 thematic areas:

Informatics and ICT;
Mechatronics and Microelectronics;
Industries for Healthy Living, Bioeconomy and Biotechnology;
New Technologies in Creative and Recreational Industries.

Priority 2 – "Circular Economy"

Specific Objective RSO 2.6"Promoting the transition to a circular and resource-efficient economy."

This priority supports projects within the S3 thematic area:

Clean Technologies, Circular and Low-Carbon Economy.

Eligible Applicants

Applicants must meet all of the following conditions:

Be registered as traders under the Bulgarian Commercial Act or the Cooperatives Act.
Be registered no later than 31 December 2023.
Qualify as micro, small or medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Have achieved the following average annual net sales revenue for the financial years 2023, 2024 and 2025:

Enterprise Category	Minimum Average Annual Net Sales Revenue
Micro and Small Enterprise	BGN 50,000
Medium Enterprise	BGN 200,000

In addition, applicants must:

carry out their business activities within the territory of an eligible Local Action Group (LAG); and
apply for activities that will be implemented within that same territory.

Total Budget

The total budget of the procedure amounts to:

EUR 19,976,187.59, of which:

EUR 1,949,279.84 is allocated to Transition Regions;
EUR 18,026,907.75 is allocated to Less Developed Regions.

Each Local Action Group has an individual budget allocated under the relevant programme priorities.

Funding Intensity

The grant may cover up to 75% of eligible project costs, without exceeding the maximum aid intensity applicable to the respective LAG territory.

Minimum and Maximum Grant Amount

Minimum Grant	Maximum Grant
EUR 15,000	EUR 102,500

Applicants should also take into account the maximum grant amount specified in the approved Local Development Strategy of the respective LAG.

Important

The requested grant amount must not exceed 100% of the applicant's average annual net sales revenue calculated for the financial years 2023–2025.

Eligible Activities

Projects must include the implementation of at least one enterprise-level innovation, related to:

a new or significantly improved product (goods or services); or
a new or significantly improved business process.

Projects must fall within one of the five thematic priority areas of the Innovation Strategy for Smart Specialisation (S3) 2021–2027 described above.

Eligible Expenditures

Tangible Fixed Assets

Funding may be used for the acquisition of:

machinery;
production equipment;
installations;
other tangible fixed assets required for implementing the innovation.

Intangible Fixed Assets

Eligible expenditures include:

software;
patents;
utility models;
industrial designs;
licences;

provided they are necessary for the implementation of the innovation.

Application Procedure

Project proposals must be submitted electronically through the ISUN Electronic Management and Monitoring Information System.

Application Deadlines

First Application Window

10 July 2026 – 14 September 2026 (16:30 EET)

Second Application Window

14 January 2027 – 15 March 2027 (16:30 EET)

Eligible Territories

The procedure applies only to enterprises operating within eligible Local Action Group (LAG) territories.

Eligible municipalities are located within:

Southwest Region – including the LAG territories of Botevgrad, Kostinbrod, Svoge, Nevestino, Kyustendil, Treklyano, Boboshevo, Kocherinovo, Rila, Simitli, Kresna, Strumyani, Elin Pelin, Gorna Malina, Gotse Delchev, Garmen, Hadzhidimovo, Slivnitsa and Breznik.
Southern Regions (Southeast and South Central) – including the LAG territories of Parvomay, Dimitrovgrad, Pomorie, Perushtitsa, Sungurlare, Elhovo, Bolyarovo, Momchilgrad, Krumovgrad, Madan, Rudozem, Ardino, Nedelino, Tvarditsa, Karnobat, Peshtera, Bratsigovo, Stambolovo, Kirkovo, Zlatograd, Rakitovo, Straldzha, Dzhebel, Aytos, Devin, Smolyan, Kaloyanovo and Saedinenie.
Northern Regions (Northwest, North Central and Northeast) – including the LAG territories of Lukovit, Roman, Tutrakan, Slivo Pole, Avren, Varna, Isperih, Byala Slatina, Novi Pazar, Kaspichan, Aksakovo, Devnya, Suvorovo, Lom, Belene, Nikopol, Pavlikeni, Polski Trambesh, Dulovo, Dolni Chiflik, Byala, Kotel, Varbitsa, Antonovo, Omurtag, Krivodol, Boychinovtsi, Balchik, General Toshevo, Dryanovo, Tryavna, Troyan, Apriltsi, Ugarchin, Kavarna, Shabla, Gorna Oryahovitsa, Cherven Bryag, Iskar, Teteven, Levski and Sukhindol.