Interreg Romania-Bulgaria Programme

We’re keeping the great news rolling for the Romania-Bulgaria cross-border region. Following last week’s announcement of 5 newly selected projects, today we add another one to the list—with even more on the way soon!

Say hello to ROBG00442 – "Ride and Experience the Danube", selected under Call 7 of the Interreg VI-A Romania–Bulgaria Programme!

What’s in store for this project? 🚴♀️ The project aims to contribute to the development and promotion of sustainable tourism in the cross-border region by supporting cycling infrastructure, promoting natural and cultural heritage, and creating new opportunities for tourism and local development.
💶 Total project budget: EUR 5,998,747.06
💙 ERDF contribution: EUR 4,798,997.63

🤝 The project partnership brings together:
🇧🇬Municipality of Tutrakan – Lead Partner
🇷🇴Municipality of Oltenita – Partner 2
🇧🇬Municipality of Glavinitsa – Partner 3
🇷🇴Mai Mult Verde – Partner 4
🇧🇬TD Tutrakan – Nature and Tourism – Partner 5

Under Specific Objective 5.2, we are fostering integrated local development and connecting communities across the Danube. Stay tuned—more updates are coming your way! 💙

You may find the list of the selected projects here: https://interregviarobg.eu/en/projects-lists
Keep an eye on our website for constant updates 

🌍 Borders divide maps, but cooperation brings people together! 🤝🇷🇴🇧🇬

21st of September marks the official date for Interreg Cooperation Day 2026 and opens the door for joint celebration for cooperation – a celebration of the people, ideas and partnerships that turn European regions into places of real opportunity for local communities.

For the Interreg VI-A Romania–Bulgaria Programme, cooperation means connecting expertise, sharing knowledge and building a better future together on both sides of the river.

And we are bringing this vision to life! 👇

🗓️ SAVE THE DATE: October 27, 2026
📍 Pleven, Bulgaria

Because true cooperation goes beyond administrative lines—it connects institutions, empowers professionals and creates lasting solutions, we are thrilled to host an event in partnership with the Medical University of Pleven, Lead Partner of ROBG00272 – Cross-Border Multidisciplinary Collaboration in Education through Telemedicine, financed under the Interreg VI-A Romania–Bulgaria Programme.

Stay tuned for more details and join us as we explore how cross-border funding is:
• 🏥 Modernizing regional medical infrastructure
• 💡 Driving innovation in medical education
• 📈 Elevating healthcare services for citizens across the Romania-Bulgaria border region

Happy Interreg Cooperation Day 2026! 🎉
🇷🇴🤝🇧🇬 Together across borders, stronger together!

🚀 Great news for the Interreg VI-A Romania-Bulgaria Programme!
5 new projects (Black Sea Cycling, VeloDanube, ENCOTOUR, EVREST, RideBlue – GreenBike) were selected under Call 7 (Priority 4, SO 5.2). Aligned with our Integrated Territorial Strategy (ITS) along the iconic EuroVelo 6 route, these projects aim to:
• 🚲 Connect tourist attractions to the EuroVelo 6 cycling route
• 🏛️ Upgrade and promote cultural and natural heritage sites to attract more visitors
• 🤝 Foster cross-border cooperation
Explore the full ITS framework here (https://interregviarobg.eu/en/its-1) 🌐 and the list of the selected projects here (https://interregviarobg.eu/en/projects-lists) and stay tuned for more updates as we continue building a greener, more integrated and connected cross-border region together!

🌍 Creating Opportunities for Learning and Cooperation Across Borders!

The CIRCLE project – “Cross-Border Initiative for Religious Communities’ Learning and Engagement” (ROBG00288) – with a total budget of €288,960.74 (ERDF contribution: €231,168.58) opens new pathways to knowledge and growth for representatives of religious communities, NGOs, social organizations, theology students and active citizens in the Romania–Bulgaria cross-border region during its implementation period of 14 months.

🤝 Project partners:

🔹 Lead Partner: Regional Development Foundation, Vidin, Bulgaria

🔹 Partner 2: Vasiliada Association, Craiova, Romania

🔹 Partner 3: “Phoenix – 21 Century” Foundation, Vidin, Bulgaria

Here are some of the key highlights and achievements of the project so far:

🔹 Joint Cross-Border Distance Learning Centre: Established in Craiova, Romania, and Vidin, Bulgaria, this hub serves as a dedicated space for training, best-practice sharing and the development of new cross-border partnerships.

🔹 International Educational Mobilities: Five mobility events brought participants together to explore topics such as project management, EU funding, online fundraising and social care practices. The latest educational mobility, organised in Craiova between 15 and 17 July 2026, combined interactive training with site visits and peer exchanges.

🔹 Specialised Multilingual Courses: Three tailored courses – Project Management, EU Funding Opportunities, and Online Fundraising & Social Good Practices – are available in Romanian, Bulgarian and English for both in-person and online learning.

Through these activities, the CIRCLE project is creating valuable opportunities for learning, knowledge exchange and stronger cooperation among communities and organisations on both sides of the Danube.

The CIRCLE project is currently in its final stage of implementation and will be completed on 14 October 2026. In the coming period, the project partners will focus on concluding the remaining activities and ensuring that the results developed through the project continue to support cross-border learning and cooperation.

📸 Scroll through the photo gallery below to capture moments from the CIRCLE project activities!

For more information about the CIRCLE project and its activities, follow the project’s page: https://www.facebook.com/circleprojectrobg

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS - Border Regions Peer Exchange 📣

❗Discover how cross-border challenges are being addressed in practice! This peer-exchange opportunity offers the chance to learn directly from border regions that have already tackled similar challenges. 💭

The Border Regions Peer Exchange on Solving Border Obstacles programme will bring together 100 participants for 10 peer-exchange visits taking place between November 2026 and January 2027. 👐

The call is open to Interreg A stakeholders - including project partners, associated partners and programme stakeholders.

Participants will explore concrete b-solutions cases, exchange experiences with peers and discover approaches that can be adapted to their own cross-border context! 🫵

Deadline: 16 September 2026, 17:00 CET.

Full information and application form are available here: visitors.borderexchange.fceer.org

🎓 Investing in Education and Skills for Youth in the Romania–Bulgaria Cross-Border Region!

The PROMISE project – “PROMoting IncluSivE and Quality Education through Technology, Leadership and Sport” (ROBG00299) – with a total budget of €1,327,528.12 (ERDF contribution: €1,062,022.49) empowers students and graduates across the border by boosting the skills and competencies needed for their future careers during its implementation period of 24 months.

🤝 Project partners:

🔹 Lead Partner: University of Craiova, Romania

🔹 Partner 2: “Dimitar A. Tsenov” Academy of Economics, Svishtov, Bulgaria

🔹 Partner 3: Engage in Education Association, Romania

Here is a look back at some of the project's recent activities:

🔹 In-Person Evaluation Days (7–9 July 2026): Participants in the Urban Horticulture, English for Beginners and English for Intermediates courses successfully completed their hands-on and theoretical evaluations.

🔹 Summer School on Culture and Art in Craiova (13–17 July 2026): An engaging week combining theory with practical workshops on restoring old paintings and rare books, alongside immersive experiences exploring local heritage and Romanian culture.

These activities are part of a broader Programme featuring courses, summer schools, best-practice exchanges and key investments in educational and sports infrastructure – all designed to make high-quality training accessible to everyone in the cross-border area.

The PROMISE project is currently under implementation and will continue until 10 September 2027. In the coming period, the project partners will continue working together to deliver the planned educational activities and investments, creating further opportunities for young people across the Romania–Bulgaria cross-border area.

📸 Check out the photo gallery below to see the participants in action!

For more information about the PROMISE project and its activities, follow the project’s page: https://www.facebook.com/promise.hard.2025

The BEAD project – “Bridging Education Across the Danube” (ROBG00271) – with a total budget of €269,267.00 (ERDF contribution: €215,413.59) strengthened cross-border educational cooperation between Romania and Bulgaria by creating new opportunities for students, young people, entrepreneurs and local farmers to grow and learn together, during its implementation period of 14 months.

🤝 Project partners:
🔹 Lead Partner: Bulgarian-Romanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Ruse, Bulgaria
🔹 Partner 2: Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture Călărași, Romania
🔹 Partner 3: ”Angel Kanchev” University of Ruse, Bulgaria
🔹 Partner 4: University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, Romania

Here are some of the project activities developed during its final implementation period:

🔹 Pilot Training Courses: Participants from Romania and Bulgaria joined dynamic training sessions focused on digital literacy, smart villages, sustainable development and rural entrepreneurship, earning certificates of participation upon completion.

🔹 Joint Hybrid Sessions on Digital and Intercultural Competences: Students from the Silistra–Călărași cross-border region worked together in international groups to develop their digital skills, cross-cultural communication and teamwork through interactive learning sessions.

Beyond building new skills, these activities fostered real connections, shared ideas and strong partnerships across the Danube.

Project Impact:
• Strengthening cross-border educational networks;
• Building digital and entrepreneurial skills in rural communities;
• Connecting young people across the Silistra–Călărași region.

The BEAD project was finalized on 30 July 2026, marking the conclusion of 14 months of cross-border cooperation. Throughout its implementation, the project delivered innovative educational activities, developed new learning opportunities and brought together a wide range of participants from both sides of the Danube.

📸 Scroll through the photos below to see the participants in action!

For more information about the BEAD project and its results, follow the project’s page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578257918855

We are looking for new colleagues within JS!!

The Joint Secretariat for the Romania-Bulgaria Interreg VI-A Programme has 4 job opportunities.

The Joint Secretariat within Cross Border Cooperation Regional Office Calarasi for the Romania Bulgaria border is looking to hire 4 experts in order to complete its team. This is an exciting opportunity to join our team, even if you do not have any work experience, but only in the conditions in which you have the necessary studies and skills to fill the vacancy.

In this way, CBC RO Calarasi organizes a recruitment process in order to fill in 4 vacant positions of project manager (code: MPCH).

For additional details (the regulation, including the conditions of participation, the application procedure and the announcement) please access the following link: https://interregviarobg.eu/en/the-joint-secretariat-for-the-romania-bulgaria-interreg-vi-a-programme-has-4-job-opportunities-3

Better spaces, brighter smiles and a truly inclusive future!

How do you transform a local kindergarten into a place where every child can thrive? With vision, strong teamwork and cross-border cooperation.

Under the ROBG00284 project - EQUAL, funded by the Interreg VI-A Romania–Bulgaria Programme, three rooms in a kindergarten in Dulovo, Silistra District, Bulgaria, have been completely reimagined to host specialized services: occupational therapy, sensory integration and salt therapy by the Partner 3 from the project, Regional Centre for Supporting the Process of Inclusive Education.

For children with special educational needs in our cross-border area, these aren't just newly painted rooms—they are safe environment tailored to their emotional and developmental growth. We are very proud to see how the partnership between partners from Romania and Bulgaria takes shape through joint projects that genuinely change lives.

📸 Swipe through the before and after photos to witness this wonderful transformation and discover how the Interreg VI-A Romania–Bulgaria Programme is helping create better opportunities for children and build more inclusive communities through cross-border cooperation.

The Invitation for Submission of Full Applications under the Integrated Territorial Strategy (Call 7) is now CLOSED!

The Invitation for submission of the full applications for the project ideas approved by the Programme under the Integrated Territorial Strategy (Call 7) officially closed today, 15 July 2026, at 13:00.

We are pleased to announce that 11 full applications were successfully submitted with a total requested budget of EUR 63 million.

We appreciate the commitment of all applicants who submitted their proposals on time. These projects will contribute to the implementation of the Integrated Territorial Strategy by supporting sustainable regional development through tourism, cultural heritage and cycle tourism along the EuroVelo 6 route.

For the latest Programme news, updates and future opportunities, stay connected by following our page and visiting our website: https://www.interregviarobg.eu/.