Ministry of Transport, Information Technology and Communications

Bulgarian organizations and companies may apply with projects in the "Telecommunications" sector of total value of 55.6 mln. Euros that will be provided under the Connecting Europe Facility. Opportunities for application and requirements for the submission of proposals were presented today during an information day organized by the Ministry of Transport, Information Technology and Communications.

16.9 millions euro is the budget for projects related to new services or improvment of existing systems for e-procurement, e-health, e-identity and online dispute resolution.

Smooth medical services rendered to the citizens of the European Union traveling in another country and reducing the risk of medical errors is at the core of the projects that will be approved in the field of e-health. The aim is to be improved the single cross-border health card and the electronic prescriptions.

Currently is in operation an information system in 21 languages that supports the comparison and the use of various national documents (certificates, authentications, etc.) required for participation in procedures for cross-border procurement. The aim of the new proposals in the field of cross-border procurement, which will be funded under the Connecting Europe Facility, is to attract providers of certification and authentication services as well.

In the field of electronic identity will be supported projects on promotion and acceleration of the use by administration and business, as well as for integration into existing electronic services, electronic systems and online platforms.

Projects on online dispute resolution should be directed to the offering of thoroughly online, simple, fast and cheap extrajudicial solutions to settle disputes, which to stimulate cross-border e-commerce by increasing of confidence and security of both European consumers and traders.

The budget for the improvement of cross-border e-invoicing within the European Union is 7 mln. Euros.

The Bulgarian participants applying under Connecting Europe Facility in most cases need to seek partners from other EU countries for inclusion into consortium. Grants are between 50 and 100 % of the eligible direct costs of the project. Calls for proposals, presented today, have been announced on 30 October and 17 November, as deadlines for submission of proposals are January 19, 2016 and March 15, 2016 respectively.

In the program for 2016 are expected to be announced calls for proposals on safer internet with a budget of up to 5 mln. euros and 100% financing; Electronic delivery of documents - up to 1 mln. Euro and 75% reimbursement of the expences, contribution to the pan-European library Europeana - up to 10 mln. Euros and a 100% grant. The announcement of calls for proposals for electronic exchange of information, for security data and business associated records are pending.

The Connecting Europe Facility allows for the preparation and the implementation of projects of common interest in the trans-European networks policy in the sectors of energy, transport and telecommunications. The financial instrument is aimed at achieving real improvements in the lives of our citizens, economy and administration through the development of interoperable infrastructures based on approved technical and organizational solutions.