Support for improving cybersecurity in small and medium-sized enterprises in the Republic of Bulgaria

This EU funding opportunity focuses on enhancing cybersecurity in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Republic of Bulgaria. The total funding available is €2,045,199, allocated under the initiative known as the National Coordination Centre – Bulgaria, associated with grant agreement number 101128086. The project falls under the DIGITAL-ECCC-2022-CYBER-03-NAT-COORDINATION topic, which aims to deploy the Network of National Coordination Centres across Member States.

This opportunity is open exclusively to Bulgarian SMEs. The application process is a single-stage submission, which requires applicants to submit proposals electronically using the INFORMATION SYSTEM FOR MANAGEMENT AND MONITORING OF EU FUNDS IN BULGARIA 2020, accessible online. Applicants must utilize a Qualified Electronic Signature (QES) for submission.

The evaluation process consists of two stages: an initial check for administrative compliance and eligibility followed by a quality assessment of the proposals based on alignment with the project objectives. The deadline for submission is set for August 15, 2025.

The funding is intended to support practical measures such as training, infrastructure improvements, and compliance with EU cybersecurity standards. The focus is on equipping SMEs to better handle cybersecurity challenges, thereby contributing to broader EU goals of enhancing digital resilience and operational robustness within the member states.

Overall, this grant reflects a commitment to supporting Bulgarian SMEs in improving their cybersecurity capabilities, facilitating alignment with European Union standards, and addressing existing vulnerabilities in the sector.

The EU funding opportunity focuses on "Support for improving cybersecurity in small and medium-sized enterprises in the Republic of Bulgaria".

General Information:

Opening date: 13 June 2025
Deadline model: single-stage
Deadline date: 15 August 2025 16:30 (Brussels time)
Open For Submission
Expected duration of participation: Not specified
Total funding available: 2,045,199.00 €
Project acronym: NCC BG
Full name of the EU funded project: National Coordination Centre – Bulgaria
Grant agreement number: 101128086
Topic: DIGITAL-ECCC-2022-CYBER-03-NAT-COORDINATION - Deploying The Network Of National Coordination Centres With Member States

Submission & evaluation process:

The submission of project proposals is carried out entirely electronically. This involves filling in a web-based application form and submitting the form and accompanying documents via the INFORMATION SYSTEM FOR MANAGEMENT AND MONITORING OF EU FUNDS IN BULGARIA 2020, accessible at https://eumis2020.government.bg/en/s/Procedure/Active. A valid Qualified Electronic Signature (QES), issued by a qualified electronic trust service provider within the meaning of Article 3(20) of Regulation (EU) No 910/2014, is required via the "E-Application’ module".

The evaluation and ranking of the project proposals will be carried out by an Evaluation Committee designated by an order of the Minister of e-Governance or by another official authorised representative. All project proposals submitted on time will be evaluated in accordance with the Criteria and methodology for evaluation of project proposals under the procedure set out in Annex to the Guidelines for Applicants.

The evaluation of project proposals will be carried out in two stages, adhering to the principles of free competition, equal treatment, publicity, and non-discrimination:

1) Administrative compliance and eligibility
2) Quality assessment

Further information and Task description: Not provided in the scraped content.

Summary:

This EU funding opportunity aims to bolster cybersecurity within small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) located in the Republic of Bulgaria. The initiative is part of the broader effort to deploy the Network of National Coordination Centres across Member States, aligning with the DIGITAL-ECCC-2022-CYBER-03-NAT-COORDINATION topic. With a total funding of 2,045,199.00 €, the project, known as National Coordination Centre – Bulgaria (NCC BG), operates under grant agreement number 101128086. The submission deadline is August 15, 2025. The application process is fully electronic, requiring a Qualified Electronic Signature (QES) and submission through the Bulgarian EU funds management system. Evaluation will occur in two stages: administrative compliance/eligibility and quality assessment, ensuring fairness and adherence to EU principles. The opportunity seeks to enhance the cybersecurity posture of Bulgarian SMEs through the National Coordination Centre.

Eligible Applicant Types: The opportunity is specifically targeted towards small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Funding Type: The funding type appears to be a grant, as indicated by the mention of "GrantCascade funding" and the grant agreement number.

Consortium Requirement: The information provided does not explicitly state whether a consortium is required or if a single applicant is sufficient. Further details would be needed to determine this.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility is limited to the Republic of Bulgaria. The call specifically mentions "Support for improving cybersecurity in small and medium-sized enterprises in the Republic of Bulgaria."

Target Sector: The target sector is cybersecurity, specifically focusing on improving cybersecurity in SMEs.

Mentioned Countries: Bulgaria is explicitly mentioned.

Project Stage: The provided information does not specify the expected maturity of the project.

Funding Amount: The total funding available is 2,045,199.00 €. The funding range for individual projects is not specified.

Application Type: The application type is an open call, with a single-stage submission process.

Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive money, as this is a grant opportunity.

Application Stages: The application process involves two stages: 1) administrative compliance and eligibility and 2) quality assessment.

Success Rates: The success rates are not mentioned in the provided text.

Co-funding Requirement: The provided information does not specify whether co-funding is required.

Summary:

This opportunity is a grant call specifically aimed at supporting the improvement of cybersecurity in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) located in the Republic of Bulgaria. The total funding available is 2,045,199.00 €. The call is managed through the INFORMATION SYSTEM FOR MANAGEMENT AND MONITORING OF EU FUNDS IN BULGARIA 2020, and applications must be submitted electronically using a Qualified Electronic Signature (QES). The submission deadline is August 15, 2025, at 16:30 (Brussels time). The evaluation process consists of two stages: administrative compliance and eligibility, followed by a quality assessment. The call falls under the topic DIGITAL-ECCC-2022-CYBER-03-NAT-COORDINATION - Deploying The Network Of National Coordination Centres With Member States. The full name of the EU funded project is National Coordination Centre – Bulgaria, with grant agreement number 101128086 and project acronym NCC BG.