19.09.2012

Almost BGN 50 million will be invested under Operational Programme Administrative Capacity (OPAC) for Q4 of 2012 for enhancing qualification and improving the work of staff at central and local level. BGN 40 million of them have already been announced under the two new procedures for central, regional and municipal administration. The procedures are under sub-priority 2.2 "Competent and effective public administration" and they are targeted at improving the managerial capacity and the organizational development of public administration and introducing the principles of modern governance, i.e optimization of the practices for selection, leadership, motivation and career development of staff. The calls for proposals have been optimized to the utmost degree in order to organize the training as fast and effectively as possible within a year. The opening of both procedures is an important step towards implementation of the Programme and its objectives.

Central and regional administration may submit calls for proposals by November 20, 2012, with the cost of projects totalling BGN 20 million. The same amount is envisaged for municipal administrations, if they submit quality calls for proposals by November 16, 2012. The minimum cost of individual projects under both procedures may be BGN 20,000, while the maximum threshold may be BGN 90,000. The duration of the projects is 12 months. An intensive information campaign for both procedures is due in October. The schedule of the information days will be published on the website of OPAC.

Another six procedures will be opened by the end of 2012 under OPAC for development of an integrated information system for the needs of public administration, effective utilisation of public resources through public-private partnership, improvement of control activities in the administration at all levels and enhancement of the qualification of magistrates and staff through introduction of good practices and training. The six procedures cost over BGN 10.6 million.