18.09.2025 BDB Advisory Board discusses progress on the bank's national programs

The Advisory Board to the Supervisory Board of the Bulgarian Development Bank (BDB) discussed the progress of national programs implemented by the institution, the government priorities to be implemented with the upcoming capitalization, and the financial report for the first half of 2025.

The Council comprises of the national representative employers' organisations, the two trade unions and the National Association of Municipalities in Bulgaria. It executes public control over the bank's activities and ensures transparency and accountability in its operations. The meeting was attended by the representatives of the Supervisory and Management Boards of BDB.

The energy efficiency program under the Recovery and Sustainability Plan and the second stage of the National Energy Efficiency Program with a budget of BGN 2.5 billion, for which the bank will be the financial agent, were discussed. Also in the conversation was covered the BGN 900 million capital expenditure program for municipalities for water supply and infrastructure projects, health, education, etc., as well as the financial mechanism of BDB and ESO for accelerated deployment of renewable energy on public and municipal buildings.

"Through the financial instrumentality of the Bulgarian Development Bank and the confidence of the European Commission in the established reliable mechanisms for accountability, control and transparency of the bank, the state had the opportunity to negotiate the rescue of the implementation of the energy efficiency programme under the PPA", emphasized the Chair of SB Delyana Ivanova.

During the meeting were also discussed the financing opportunities for Bulgarian companies that will implement projects under the national priorities with the additional resources from the increased capital. All programs will be coordinated in advance with the Advisory Board, which will ensure public control by employers, trade unions and municipalities over the spending of the funds.

In line with the Bulgarian Development Bank's Act and the institution's strategy, BDB is the only state-owned bank with a legal mandate to support public policies, address regional imbalances, sustainable investments and small and medium-sized enterprises. The resource will support the development of the water and sanitation sector, industrial parks, innovation, agriculture, security and defence, health, and the green economy. The return on the funds will ensure new investments and sustainable jobs, as well as additional revenue for the budget.

The funds will be spent in full transparency, accountability and public control, in compliance with the Articles of Association of the bank, which provides for a limit of BGN 5 million to support small and medium enterprises.