Varna, Bulgaria — Varna is under increasing scrutiny for its failure to secure European funding effectively, with both experts and residents expressing concerns about the city’s underperformance compared to smaller municipalities like Burgas.
The criticism has intensified following the collapse of the competition to appoint a new director for the Directorate “European and National Operational Programs,” leaving the city’s funding efforts in disarray.
Burgas, despite having a significantly smaller population than Varna, has managed to secure a European funds budget that surpasses Varna’s by 20 million euros.
This disparity has fueled frustrations among Varna’s citizens, who see the city’s leadership as ineffective in capitalizing on available EU resources.
During a recent Municipal Council session, David Kirkorov, a council member representing the Citizens’ Alternative, challenged Mayor Blagomir Kotsev over the city’s lackluster performance in attracting European funds.
Kirkorov demanded clarity on the number of project proposals the municipality had submitted, both as a lead and as a participant, and questioned the administration’s plans for accessing direct EU funding in 2025.
At present, Varna relies heavily on national operational programs, neglecting various direct financing opportunities offered by the EU.
Missed Opportunities Abound
Among the missed opportunities is the “Horizon Europe” framework, which provides nearly 95.5 billion euros for scientific and technological advancements, as well as job creation.
Similarly, the Connecting Europe Facility, with a budget of over 33 billion euros for digital connectivity infrastructure, remains untapped by Varna.
In contrast, Burgas secured over 3 million euros for a digital initiative under this program in 2024, highlighting the stark difference in strategic foresight between the two municipalities.
The city’s isolation from prestigious EU initiatives has also raised concerns. While Burgas and Stara Zagora are actively preparing bids for titles like “European Capital of Culture,” “European Green Capital,” and “European Capital of Smart Tourism,” Varna has not made any moves to compete for these distinctions.
The lack of involvement in such initiatives has been seen as a significant missed opportunity to enhance the city’s profile and attract additional funding and tourism.
Leadership Void and Communication Failures
The ongoing vacancy for the director of the Directorate “European and National Operational Programs” has left a void in the city’s leadership, further complicating efforts to secure funding.
Effective communication with experts and local organizations has been virtually non-existent, with many proposals from local NGOs going unanswered.
The absence of a strategic approach to funding has resulted in a failure to prepare key infrastructure projects that could have been supported by EU funds, such as the repair and construction of social and sports facilities.
Local experts argue that the city’s failure to engage with potential contributors has exacerbated its funding challenges.
“The lack of coordination and leadership is costing Varna millions in potential investments,” said a local economist familiar with EU funding mechanisms.
Calls for Urgent Action
The growing frustration among residents and experts has prompted calls for urgent action to fill leadership vacancies and overhaul the city’s approach to European funding.
Many believe that without a strategic plan and a competent team to execute it, Varna risks falling further behind smaller municipalities that have demonstrated a proactive approach to securing EU resources.
As the debate intensifies, all eyes are on Mayor Kotsev and the Municipal Council to see how they will address the criticisms and steer Varna towards a more effective utilization of EU funds.