Progress in Implementing the European Union Coordinated Plan on Artificial Intelligence (Volume 1): Bulgaria

Table of contents

• Set enabling conditions for AI development and uptake in the European Union
• Make the European Union the right place: Excellence from lab to the market
• Ensure AI technologies work for people
• Build strategic leadership in priority sectors

The European Union (EU) Coordinated Plan on Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a strategic initiative by the European Commission and EU Member States to promote AI development, investment and co-operation. In 2024, the OECD conducted a survey and interviews to take stock of implementation progress made by the EU Member States in implementing the actions set in the EU Coordinated Plan on AI. Drawing on the information collected, the OECD prepared country notes for each EU Member State. This document presents the country note for Bulgaria, which summarises key initiatives and implementation progress.

Key messages

• Artificial intelligence (AI) governance: Bulgaria’s AI policy is guided by its national AI strategy, adopted in 2020, which sets out six main pillars focusing on infrastructure, education, research, data potential, sectoral innovation and ethical AI development. Despite its comprehensive vision, the strategy lacks an action plan with clear implementation activities and timelines.

• Data and computing infrastructure: Bulgaria has strengthened its computational capacity with three supercomputing facilities: Discoverer and HEMUS are operational and Avitohol is under development. A comprehensive data governance framework is being established through the National Data Strategy (2025-2030) and the National Data Governance Reference Framework (NDGRF), both currently under development. The Big Data for Smart Society Institute (GATE) plays a dual role as a centre of excellence and the country’s International Data Spaces Association Hub.

• Research excellence and innovation: The establishment of the Institute for Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence and Technology (INSAIT) in 2023 has strengthened Bulgaria’s AI research capabilities. A notable achievement is BgGPT, the country’s first open-source language model developed for the Bulgarian language.

• AI education and talent development: Bulgaria is fostering AI skills and expertise at various levels of education. Initiatives include AI guidelines for schools, a specialised AI programming course involving 580 students from 13 secondary schools, and the INSAIT Explorer programme, which combines university education with research opportunities. In 2024, the Digital Skills and New Skills operations were launched to improve digital skills among workers, unemployed and inactive persons.

• Supporting market adoption: The AI Cluster Bulgaria promotes AI adoption by fostering collaboration between AI companies, research institutions and the government. This ecosystem is supported by a network of European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs) and a Competitiveness and Innovation in Enterprises programme, which – among other financial instruments – provides EUR 200 million in funding to support AI adoption by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

• Sectoral implementation: Bulgaria is supporting AI applications across strategic sectors through several key initiatives. In healthcare, the VELES Excellence Hub is establishing a regional data space across four Southeast European countries. The INNOAIR project applies AI for sustainable urban mobility, while AgroHub.BG serves as a digital innovation hub in agriculture, connecting farmers, technology providers and researchers to facilitate technology adoption and knowledge sharing.

Set enabling conditions for AI development and uptake in the European Union

Acquire, pool and share policy insights

The Concept for the Development of Artificial Intelligence in Bulgaria until 2030 was released in December 2020 (MTC, 2020[1]) and since December 2021 is co‑ordinated by the Ministry of Electronic Governance (MEG). The concept is considered the strategic document for AI policy in Bulgaria establishing the vision and overall policy objectives for the development and implementation of AI in Bulgaria. The document is organised around six main pillars:

1. Provide a modern communication and scientific infrastructure for the development of and deployment of AI and next generation digital technologies.

2. Develop an advanced education and lifelong learning system.

3. Strengthen and develop research and technology transfer capacities in the field of AI and related technologies.

4. Unlock the potential of data as a raw material for AI development.

5. Introduce AI-based innovation in key sectors.

6. Build trust in AI and a regulatory framework for the development and application of reliable AI technologies, in line with established legal and ethical principles within the European Union.

The concept identifies several priority sectors, including the data economy, the software industry, education, public services, agriculture, health and the environment.

The funding for the national AI strategy does not come from a single, dedicated budget. Instead, each ministry is responsible for funding the specific actions it implements. The annual budget expenditure ranges from EUR 5 to 20 million, which includes both public finance and private sector investments in AI. Projects related to AI are also included in the strategic plan for digital transformation in Bulgaria, with some components funded under the national Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRP).

The governance and implementation of the AI strategy is overseen by the MEG. The Ministry of Innovation and Growth (MIG) plays a supporting role by providing financial incentives for AI adoption, with a particular focus on Bulgarian SMEs. Several other ministries contribute to the implementation in their respective fields, including, the Ministries of Education and Science, of Labour and Social Policy, of Agriculture and Food, of Health and the Commission for Personal Data Protection.

In Bulgaria, co‑ordination of AI initiatives takes place through several channels. The Digital Decade Council, operating under the Council of Ministers, oversees Bulgaria’s digital transformation policies, including those related to AI (IISDA, 2024[2]). In addition, the MEG is responsible for co‑ordination of AI policies at the EU level.

The national strategy provides a comprehensive vision for AI development but lacks a dedicated action plan with concrete policy initiatives and implementation trackers. Instead, monitoring occurs indirectly through several national strategic frameworks: the Digital Transformation of Bulgaria 2024-2030, the National Roadmap for Digital Transformation until 2030, the Innovation Strategy for Smart Specialisation 2021-2027 and the National Strategy for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises 2021-2027. These frameworks include specific indicators to measure progress in areas that overlap with AI policy objectives, such as research and innovation (R&I) capacity, digitalisation, technological progress, SME development and skills advancement.

In 2023, the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Community Advisory Board has been established as an expert advisory board, bringing together public and private stakeholders to advise the MEG on legislative changes and regulations while facilitating public-private interaction in the digital governance sphere. The board operates on a public basis, fostering partnership between the MEG and professional non-governmental organisations (NGOs) whose activities align with the ministry’s areas of competence (Government of Bulgaria, 2023[3]). In addition, the annual report of the AI Cluster Bulgaria, an industry association dedicated to building a sustainable ecosystem for AI, contributes to the understanding the state of AI development in the country, highlighting both progress and areas for further development (AI Cluster Bulgaria, 2024[4]).

Tap into the potential of data and foster critical computing capacity

The Bulgarian government has developed several strategic initiatives to strengthen its data and computing infrastructure for AI development. Rather than creating a standalone national data strategy, Bulgaria has decided to incorporate policies on data governance, data dissemination and data use as a separate component within the new Digital Transformation of Bulgaria strategy. The GATE, serving as Bulgaria’s centre of excellence and International Data Spaces Association (IDSA) hub, leads several data initiatives including the country’s first Urban Data Space. Bulgaria has also invested significantly in high-performance computing (HPC) infrastructure through three major supercomputing facilities: Discoverer, HEMUS and Avitohol (the latter expected in 2025 at the time of writing).

Table 1. Set enabling conditions for AI development and uptake in the European Union: Key initiatives

Name	Start year	Short description (main goals)	Funding (including EU funding use)
Digital Transformation of Bulgaria 2024-2030 strategy	2024	The strategy is a comprehensive framework that outlines Bulgaria’s vision for digital development. It incorporates initiatives related to AI and data governance, aligned with EU regulations and targets. The strategy emphasises enhancing digital skills, deploying secure infrastructure, promoting digitalisation in enterprises, improving public services, fostering R&I and leveraging the potential of data (FMFIB, 2024[5]).	Not reported
National Data Governance Reference Framework (NDGRF)	In development	This framework is under development that will establish comprehensive standards for data management across Bulgaria’s digital ecosystem. The NDGRF is established by decision of the MEG and regards the national public administration as a whole. This framework encompasses standards for data collection, quality assurance, storage protocols and exchange mechanisms. It includes detailed procedural guidelines, metadata standards and stakeholder engagement processes, with specific focus on developing and managing interoperable data spaces.	Not reported
Programme for Research, Innovation and Digitisation for Smart Transformation (PRIDST)	2021	A national programme focused on accelerating the digital transformation of Bulgaria’s public sector (MIG, n.d.[6]). A key initiative under this programme is the development of strategic and technical frameworks for data governance and interoperability. The programme supports the assessment of existing data governance policies, creates roadmaps for implementing sector-specific data spaces and ensures alignment with EU regulations such as the Data Governance Act.	Not reported
Big Data for Smart Society Institute (GATE)	2019-ongoing	The GATE serves as Bulgaria’s first centre of excellence for big data and AI research while also functioning as the country’s IDSA hub. The institute integrates research excellence with practical innovation across four strategic areas: future cities, intelligent government, smart industry and digital health. As the IDSA hub, GATE plays a crucial role in promoting data usage and sharing between industrial and public sectors. Since its establishment, GATE has launched several significant projects, including enRichMyData (2021), which develops data enrichment pipelines and toolboxes for creating high-quality, standardised datasets to support AI applications (GATE, n.d.[7]).	Not reported
Urban Data Space	2022	Led by GATE, the Urban Data Space is the first sectoral data space in Bulgaria. It facilitates data sharing and access between organisations to enable the development of new business products and services. With a particular focus on urban services, it serves as a model for future sector-specific data spaces in Bulgaria by demonstrating how data-driven decision making and cross‑organisational collaboration can enhance service delivery.	Not reported
Open Data Portal (public sector data)	2015	This platform is designed to share a wide range of public sector data, including scientific data. It features over 47 000 resources and 4 000 registered users. While valuable for scientific collaboration, the portal faces limitations in hosting raw data, with resources primarily comprising articles or doctoral dissertations (Republic of Bulgaria, n.d.[8]).	Not reported
Bulgarian Portal for Open Science (BPOS)	2020	The BPOS was created by the National Centre for Information and Documentation in line with EC Recommendation No. 790 of 25 April 2018 on access to and preservation of scientific information, as well as Bulgaria’s commitments to the European Open Science Cloud. The portal offers a single entry point for easy and fast access to scientific information and the results of publicly funded research. It provides a secure online space where scientists and institutions can store and disseminate scientific publications and other research outputs on a long-term basis. Currently, the portal contains over 73 000 documents, including scientific publications, dissertations, conference proceedings, preprints, project reports and more. The registered scientists are over 5 200 (https://bpos.bg/).	The development of the BPOS is funded by Operational Programme (OP) “Good Governance”, co‑financed by the European Union through the European Social Fund, as part of project BG05SFOP001-1.017 Establishment, Upgrading, and Unification of Electronic Registers of the National Centre for Information and Documentation in the Field of Higher Education.
S2B Science-Business Collaboration Platform	2024	The platform aims to foster effective collaboration in R&I between the government, universities, scientific organisations and businesses. Through the platform, SMEs can access R&I services provided by universities, scientific organisations, centres of excellence, competence centres, digital information hubs, the Sofia Tech Park, and other entities within the regional research, development and innovation ecosystem. The platform offers services related to data and AI capabilities, among others (NACID, n.d.[9]).	The development of the platform is funded by the PRIDST, co-financed by the European Union, through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), as part of project no. BG16RFPR002-1.007 Platform for Collaboration Between Higher Education Institutions, Research Organizations and Business through the Upgrading of the Register of Scientific Activity, the Register of Academic Staff, and the BPOS.
Discoverer supercomputer	2021	This petascale supercomputer located in Sofia Tech Park represents Bulgaria’s first major investment in HPC infrastructure. With performance exceeding 4.5 petaflops, the system is specifically designed to support big data processing and AI applications (EuroHPC JU, 2024[10]; Discoverer, n.d.[11]).	Funding shared between European High Performance Computing Joint Undertaking (EuroHPC JU) (35%) and the Bulgarian government (65%)
HEMUS supercomputer	2023	An advanced computing facility integrated within the Institute of Information and Communication Technologies’ infrastructure complex that delivers over 3 petaflops of computing performance and provides 6.72 petabytes of data storage capacity. HEMUS is notable for its implementation of standardised data management practices that ensure research data are findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable. The system was developed with support from OP “Science and Education for Smart Growth”, strengthening Bulgaria’s research computing capabilities (EuroCC Bulgaria, 2023[12])	Financial support from OP “Science and Education for Smart Growth”
Avitohol supercomputer	In development, expected in 2025 at the time of writing	A specialised supercomputer operated by the National Centre for High-performance and Distributed Calculations. The system’s architecture is optimised for HPC applications. With 96 terabytes of storage capacity, Avitohol is expected to enhance Bulgaria’s computational research infrastructure by providing essential resources for data-intensive scientific applications (National Cyber Security Centre, n.d.[13]).	Not reported

Make the European Union the right place: Excellence from lab to the market

Build and mobilise research capacities

Bulgaria has established several initiatives to strengthen its AI research excellence and facilitate market adoption. The country’s research capabilities are supported by key institutions including the Institute for Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence and Technology (INSAIT), established in 2022, and the Institute of Information and Communication Technologies (IICT-BAS), which conduct AI research and provide specialised training. These research activities are co‑ordinated through the National Roadmap for Research Infrastructure, which guides the development of research facilities. To connect research with market implementation, Bulgaria has established a network of EDIHs that provide technical expertise and implementation support to businesses. The country has also implemented financial support mechanisms which support companies in adopting and scaling AI solutions.

Box 1. In focus: BgGPT, the first open AI model for Bulgarian language

The BgGPT initiative, launched by INSAIT in January 2024, is the first project to develop an open‑source large language model specifically developed for Bulgarian language. The project aims to provide high-quality AI language capabilities to Bulgarian users, institutions and organisations across both public and private sectors.

Drawing on INSAIT research expertise and computing infrastructure, BgGPT has been developed to handle language nuances and cultural context, enabling applications ranging from automated translation and document processing to conversational AI and content generation. The model is freely accessible through open-source licencing, facilitating its integration into education, business, healthcare and public administration systems. This initiative demonstrates Bulgaria’s growing capability to develop sophisticated, locally adapted AI solutions that address specific national needs.

Source: INSAIT (2024[14]), “NSAIT announced BgGPT – The first open AI model for Bulgarian language”, https://insait.ai/insait-announced-bggpt/

Table 2. Make the European Union the right place: Excellence from lab to the market: Key initiatives

Name	Start year	Short description (main goals)	Funding (including EU funding use)
Institute of Information and Communication Technologies (IICT‑BAS)	2010- ongoing	The IICT-BAS, established by the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences in 2010, advances ICT research and innovation. The institute maintains state-of-the-art computing facilities and conducts research in advanced computing infrastructure, big data processing and AI. The IICT-BAS provides specialised AI training and HPC resources, with particular emphasis on supporting doctoral research programmes (EU Digital Skills and Jobs platform, n.d.[15])	Not reported
Institute for Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence and Technology (INSAIT)	2022	Established in partnership with higher education institutions ETH Zurich and EPFL, this institute represents Eastern Europe’s major initiative in AI and computer science research. It has achieved significant milestones including the development of BgGPT and establishment of deep tech AI ventures. As a member of the European Laboratory for Learning and Intelligent Systems network, it focuses on advanced research in generative pre-trained transformer (GPT) models, computer vision, robotics and quantum computing (INSAIT, n.d.[16]).	Approximately EUR 92 million from the Bulgarian government over 10 years and about EUR 13.8 million from technology industry partners
National Roadmap for Research Infrastructure (NRRI) 2021‑2027	2021	This strategic initiative enhances Bulgaria’s research capabilities through the development of 51 research infrastructures. The roadmap prioritises key projects like the Avitohol supercomputer and INSAIT, aligning with EU frameworks to strengthen AI and HPC capacities (NCPB, 2020[17])	Not reported
Innovation Strategy for Smart Specialisation (ISSS) 2021-2027	2021	The ISSS 2021-2027 is a comprehensive policy framework designed to enhance Bulgaria’s competitiveness and innovation capacity. It focuses on developing research and innovation infrastructure, improving enterprises’ technological capabilities and fostering human resource skills. The strategy identifies five key thematic areas for smart specialisation, including informatics and ICT, mechatronics and clean technologies. It aims to promote the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies, including AI, to modernise production systems and drive digital transformation.	Not reported
Programme for Competitiveness and Innovation in Enterprises (PCIE)	2021	Priority 1 of the PCIE is to implement the priorities set in the ISSS that support innovation capacity and digital transformation of enterprises. It includes a specific objective to provide grants and financial instruments to develop AI and other Industry 4.0 technologies (MIG, n.d.[18]).	EUR 200 million (ERDF and national funds)
National Strategy for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises 2021-2027	2021	The strategy focuses on digital transformation and AI adoption, providing targeted support for SMEs to integrate AI technologies. It aims to improve entrepreneurship, access to finance and innovation capabilities, with a particular emphasis on helping businesses leverage AI to enhance their competitiveness.	Not reported
AI Cluster Bulgaria	2020	This industry association strengthens Bulgaria’s AI ecosystem by providing targeted support to AI companies and fostering collaboration across sectors. The cluster offers specialised programmes including professional development training, financing facilitation, technical guidance for AI implementation and access to testing infrastructure. Through regular industry fora and joint initiatives, it creates partnerships between AI companies, research institutions and government agencies to accelerate AI adoption in Bulgaria’s business sector (AI Cluster Bulgaria, n.d.[19])	Not reported
InvestEU guarantee programme	2021	InvestEU is a financial initiative aimed at supporting SMEs in Europe. The programme offers loans of up to EUR 2 million to businesses focusing on innovation and digital transformation. It specifically covers projects that incorporate AI technologies, facilitating access to funding for companies looking to enhance their technological capabilities.	EUR 7million (InvestEU)
Capital Investment Fund (CIF)	2018	The CIF is a Bulgarian fund that supports SMEs with strong growth potential through equity investments. It aims to co-invest with private equity funds and foster the development of Bulgaria’s private equity ecosystem. The fund is sector-agnostic but actively supports innovation, including AI. A notable example is its 2022 investment of BGN 4 million (approximately EUR 2 million) in Barin Sports, a company developing AI systems to monitor athletes’ performance.	EUR 15.8 million as of June 2024
European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs)	2020, 2023, 2024	Four EDIHs operate in Bulgaria under the Digital Europe programme, providing AI implementation support and technical expertise to SMEs and public organisations. The initiative is expanding with eight additional nationally funded hubs. The four existing hubs include InnovationAmp, focused on data science, HPC and AI, established in 2020; the European Digital Innovation Hub in the Construction Sector, established in 2023; EDIH Thrace, specialised in cybersecurity, AI and HPC services, established in 2024; and AgroHub.BG, supporting the agricultural sector, established in 2020.	Total investment of EUR 31.5 million, with EUR 5.4 million allocated to the existing hubs and EUR 26 million designated for the planned expansion
Start-up Ecosystem Support	2022	This initiative aims to enhance the start-up environment by providing support to entrepreneurs, particularly in the fields of innovation and technology, with a strong emphasis on AI. It focuses on improving access to venture capital and fostering a more effective policy framework for entrepreneurship. The initiative seeks to position Bulgaria as a competitive hub for start-ups, encouraging growth and development in various high-value industries.	Not reported

Ensure AI technologies work for people

Nurture talent and improve the supply of skills necessary to enable a thriving AI ecosystem

Bulgaria has implemented a range of initiatives to develop AI skills and talent across different educational levels and workforce segments. The country’s approach includes comprehensive AI guidelines for schools, specialised vocational education programmes for AI programming and excellence initiatives such as the INSAIT Explorer programme that combines university education with research opportunities. Bulgaria has also launched targeted training initiatives to enhance digital and AI skills among workers and unemployed individuals to ensure broader access to AI education. These initiatives collectively aim to create pathways for AI education from early schooling through professional development, while addressing digital divides and supporting workforce adaptation to AI technologies.

Table 3. Ensure AI technologies work for people: Key initiatives

Name	Start year	Short description (main goals)	Funding (including EU funding use)
AI guidelines for the education system	2024	The Ministry of Education and Science released guidelines for the use of AI in schools. These guidelines are intended to assist teachers, school administrators and students in the ethical and effective integration of AI into the educational processes and programmes.	Not reported
Short-term Teacher Training Programme	2024	A specialised programme in partnership with Burgas Prof. Assen Zlatarov University focused on enhancing teachers’ digital competencies. The initiative aims to train 225 teachers in using augmented and virtual reality software for educational purposes, enabling them to create more engaging and interactive learning experiences.	Not reported
AI programmer vocational education	2021	This specialised vocational training programme is designed to integrate the profession of AI programmer into high school curricula. Launched to address the growing demand for AI skills, the programme has successfully engaged 580 students across 13 schools during the 2023/24 academic year. It focuses on equipping students with practical programming skills in AI, thereby creating valuable career pathways in AI development and preparing them for future opportunities in the technology industry.	Not reported
INSAIT Explorer programme	2023	The programme is a fellowship initiative launched by INSAIT at Sofia University. It targets talented high school students with a focus on computer science and AI. The programme integrates a four-year bachelor’s degree from Sofia University with research opportunities at INSAIT, covering advanced topics such as machine learning, robotics and quantum computing. Supported by donations from industry partners, the programme aims to cultivate top technology talent in Bulgaria.	EUR 511 000 in donations from industry partners
GATE Master’s in Big Data Technologies	2023	This advanced master’s programme was developed collaboratively by the GATE Institute and Sofia University’s Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics. Launched in the 2023/24 academic year, it provides specialised training in big data and AI applications, preparing graduates for professional roles in data science and AI.	Not reported
International Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence	2024	An international competition for high school students focuses on AI development and innovation. The inaugural event in 2024 attracted over 200 participants from approximately 40 countries, with teams competing in AI model development challenges. The competition aims to foster young talent and showcase Bulgaria’s commitment to AI education.	Not reported
GATE’s internship programme	2021	The GATE Centre of Excellence’s internship programme provides practical experience in big data and AI through hands-on projects and mentorship. The programme fosters collaboration between government, industry and academia, offering interns opportunities to work on interdisciplinary research projects while developing skills in data management, analytics and visualisation under experienced researchers’ guidance (GATE, n.d.[20])	Not reported
Operation “Digital Skills”	2024	This initiative is a targeted training programme designed to improve employability by equipping unemployed and inactive persons with essential digital skills. The initiative aims to reduce digital divides and ensure broader participation in the AI-driven economy, thereby facilitating access to job opportunities in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.	Not reported
Operation “New Skills”	2024	This initiative is a training programme aimed at enhancing the skills of 53 200 employees in Bulgaria. It focuses on providing training required by employers and job places, including digital skills and other essential competencies to improve workforce employability and adaptability in a rapidly changing job market.	Not reported
Adult Learning Platform	In development	This comprehensive digital platform is aimed at democratising access to digital and AI skills training. The initiative features digital clubs and tailored support for disadvantaged groups, ensuring inclusive participation in the digital transformation. The platform will also offer certification pathways to validate acquired skills, empowering individuals to advance their careers in the digital sector.	EUR 193.5 million under the RRP
INSAIT research programmes	In development	INSAIT research programmes are dedicated to advancing research in computer science and AI. These programmes host over 20 international researchers and offer competitive internship opportunities for students worldwide. Focused on cutting-edge topics such as AI, machine learning, robotics and computer vision, the initiatives aim to foster global collaboration and innovation.	Not reported

Build strategic leadership in priority sectors

Bulgaria has developed targeted initiatives to implement AI solutions across various sectors of strategic importance. In the area of environmental protection, the country is advancing projects such as ForeSight and the National Real-Time Water Management System, which leverage AI technologies to enhance emergency response capabilities and improve water resource management. The public sector is enhancing AI capabilities through the Institute of Public Administration’s comprehensive training programmes and initiatives focused on practical applications of AI. In urban mobility, the INNOAIR project demonstrates innovative uses of AI to optimise public transport and reduce environmental impact through demand-driven solutions. The agricultural sector benefits from initiatives such as AgroHub.BG and the European Innovation Partnership Operational Groups, which promote the adoption of AI and digital technologies while fostering collaboration between farmers, researchers and technology providers.

State of AI in healthcare

Bulgaria’s AI strategy includes health as one of its priority sectors. The country’s approach to health data governance, although lacking a singular framework, is primarily structured through its National Health Strategy and the National Health Information System (NHIS). The NHIS, managed by the Ministry of Health, provides a centralised, secure platform for health data management, emphasising standardisation and interoperability to facilitate AI development and reliable data access for healthcare applications. A section for developers on the NHIS website offers key resources on application programming interfaces, nomenclatures and data network configurations, supporting the seamless exchange of health data essential for creating high-quality datasets for AI models in healthcare (Republic of Bulgaria, 2024[21]). Through recent updates, the NHIS has addressed critical interoperability challenges and supports standardised data collection and sharing, positioning Bulgaria to effectively align with European Health Data Space (EHDS) requirements for cross-border health data sharing (OECD/European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies, 2023[22]; EU, 2022[23]).

In addition to these national-level advancements, Bulgaria is participating in the VELES Excellence Hub, which aims to establish a smart health data space for personalised medicine and data-driven decision making, using big data and AI for disease prediction and personalised treatment. Future efforts will involve establishing a dedicated health data authority, expected to enhance both national and cross-border data governance capabilities, particularly with respect to AI applications in health (VELES, 2023[24]; OECD/European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies, 2023[22]). Current AI initiatives are supported by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the MEG, as well as the Digital Health and Innovation Cluster Bulgaria, focusing on improving data quality, interoperability, and accessibility for secondary use (MTC, 2020[25]). These updates aim to build an infrastructure capable of training AI models, and to facilitate Bulgaria’s long-term vision for AI-driven diagnostics, predictive analytics and innovation in healthcare (EC, 2024[26]; Government of Bulgaria, 2024[27]; MTC, 2020[25]).

Table 4. Build strategic leadership in priority sectors: Key initiatives

Name	Start year	Short description (main goals)	Funding (including EU funding use)
Climate and environment
ForeSight	Not reported	This collaborative EU project develops AI-powered tools to enhance civil protection agencies’ response capabilities. The system focuses on predicting and managing wildfires and urban emergencies through advanced AI algorithms and real-time data analysis.	Not reported (EU‑funded)
National Real-Time Water Management System	In development	The initiative looks to monitor and manage the country’s water resources using advanced technologies, including AI. Announced as part of the government’s flood risk management measures, the system will facilitate real-time monitoring of critical factors such as precipitation, snowmelt and river flow to assess flood risks and improve disaster preparedness.	Not reported
Geospatial Data for the environment	Not reported	These online environmental monitoring services include geographic information systems for water management, biodiversity monitoring, land cover and pesticide registers.	Not reported
Health
Development and implementation of the National Digital Platform for Medical Diagnostics	2024	Among the main goals of the digital health strategy, this platform is designed to improve diagnostics and treatment of socially important diseases. It is also expected facilitate the communication between healthcare professionals and other relevant stakeholders (EC, 2024[26]).	EUR 14.32 million
VELES - The Smart Excellence Hub for Southeastern Europe - Regional Smart Health Data Space	2023	Established in Southeast Europe, the initiative spans four widening countries – Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece and Romania – and is supported by Germany, Spain and Sweden. The primary aim is to establish a robust regional data space in healthcare as an initial step to creating a comprehensive EU data health space. The reported budget is the valuation for the entire project, across all participating countries (VELES, 2023[24]).	EUR 4.75 million
National Health Strategy 2030	2022	Priority 4 “Electronic healthcare” aims to create a digital transformation strategy for the healthcare sector, focusing on building a unified digital platform for improved diagnostics and treatment of key diseases. It will enhance communication among stakeholders while addressing concerns such as data privacy, cybersecurity and workforce capacity (OECD/WHO, 2023[28])	Not reported
The Plan for the Implementation of the National Strategy for e-Health Care and Digitisation of the Health System 2030	2024	Sub-goal 7.2 focuses on using big data in healthcare, specifically enabling the secondary use of health data for research and innovation. The necessary regulations to ensure this, aligned with European Commission recommendations, are currently under consideration and still being discussed (EC, 2024[26]; EC, 2023[29]).	Not reported
Public sector
Institute of Public Administration (IPA) initiatives	Not reported	The IPA conducts conferences, fora and training on AI technologies, including AI’s use in governance and human resources (HR) management.	EUR 74 500
IPA AI training programmes	Not reported	A comprehensive training initiative offers civil servants practical training in AI applications through multiple formats including self-learning e-modules, face-to-face courses and interactive workshops. The programme focuses on practical applications of AI in public administration and HR management.	EUR 16 500
Mobility
INNOAIR	Not reported	The INNOAIR project is an innovative initiative led by the municipality of Sofia, aimed at improving urban mobility and reducing air pollution through the use of AI and sustainable transport solutions. Supported by the EU Urban Innovative Actions programme under the ERDF, the project focuses on optimising public transport routes based on real-time demand. Key achievements include the launch of an on-demand electric minibus service, which uses AI algorithms to determine flexible routes tailored to user needs. This service connects underserved peri-urban areas with Sofia’s metro system, improving accessibility while reducing traffic congestion and emissions. Users can book and pay for rides via the BUSINN application, which integrates into Sofia’s public transport system.	Not reported/ Urban Innovative Actions programme under the ERDF
Agriculture/forestry/rural development
AgroHub.BG	2022	AgroHub.BG serves as the country’s digital innovation hub for agriculture. This platform facilitates communication and collaboration among various stakeholders in the agricultural sector, including farmers, technology providers and policy institutions. It aims to democratise access to knowledge and resources in the agrarian industry, enabling the development of innovative solutions to address sector-specific challenges. It is part of the AgroDigiRise project, which is funded by the European Commission and focuses on creating a collaborative network that connects farmers with digital experts and scientists.	Not reported
European Innovation Partnership Operational Groups (EIP OPs)	2023	The EIP OPs in Bulgaria support innovative projects in agriculture, focusing on the integration of technologies such as AI and robotics. The initiative encourages collaboration among farmers, researchers and SMEs to develop practical solutions that address real-world agricultural challenges.	EUR 40.8 million (EUR 24.5 million from the national budget, EUR 16.3 million from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD)

References

[4] AI Cluster Bulgaria (2024), Annual AI Report, https://www.aicluster.bg/projects/annual-ai-report.

[19] AI Cluster Bulgaria (n.d.), AI Cluster Bulgaria, https://www.aicluster.bg/ (accessed on 13 August 2025).

[11] Discoverer (n.d.), Discoverer Supercomputer, https://discoverer.bg/?doing_wp_cron=1755077757.1015870571136474609375.

[26] EC (2024), Bulgaria’s Recovery and Resilience Plan, European Commission, https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2792/965801 (accessed on 28 October 2024).

[29] EC (2023), Development of e-health and of the National Health Information System, European Commission (EC), https://commission.europa.eu/projects/development-e-health-and-national-health-information-system_en.

[23] EU (2022), Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the European Health Data Space, European Union, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex%3A52022PC0197.

[15] EU Digital Skills and Jobs platform (n.d.), Institute of Information and Communication Technologies (IICT-BAS), https://digital-skills-jobs.europa.eu/en/organisations/institute-information-and-communication-technologies-iict-bas.

[12] EuroCC Bulgaria (2023), The new Supercomputer HEMUS was put into operation at IICT-BAS, https://eurocc-bulgaria.bg/?p=3441 (accessed on 12 July 2024).

[10] EuroHPC JU (2024), The EuroHPC Joint Undertaking Awards Contracts for the Discoverer Supercomputer Upgrade, https://www.eurohpc-ju.europa.eu/eurohpc-joint-undertaking-awards-contracts-discoverer-supercomputer-upgrade-2024-07-11_en (accessed on 12 July 2024).

[5] FMFIB (2024), Digital Transformation of Bulgaria 2024–2030, Fund manager of financial instruments in Bulgaria (Fund of Funds - FMFIB), https://www.fmfib.bg/en/knowledgehub/document/113/overview.

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[25] MTC (2020), Concept for the Development of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Ministry of Transport, Information Technology and Communications, Republic of Bulgaria, https://www.mtc.government.bg/sites/default/files/conceptforthedevelopmentofaiinbulgariauntil2030.pdf.

[1] MTC (2020), Concept for the Development of Artificial Intelligence in Bulgaria until 2030, Ministry of Transport, Information Technology and Communications, Republic of Bulgaria, https://www.mtc.government.bg/sites/default/files/conceptforthedevelopmentofaiinbulgariauntil2030.pdf.

[9] NACID (n.d.), Offered Services Search, National Centre for Information and Documentation, Bulgaria, https://s2b.nacid.bg/home.

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[21] Republic of Bulgaria (2024), Спецификации за разработване на информационни системи, Ministry of Health, https://his.bg/bg/dev/specifications (accessed on 28 October 2024).

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[24] VELES (2023), VELES Excellence Hub Launches to Drive Innovation, https://veleshub.eu/news/veles-excellence-hub-launches-to-drive-innovation/ (accessed on 28 October 2024).

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