The Labor and Social Policy Ministry is launching a campaign to receive proposals for the Beautiful Bulgaria Project for 2009, BTA reports citing Minister Emilia Maslarova.

The project is implemented in all municipalities in Bulgaria. Unemployed persons registered at job centers receive training in construction, tourist and other disciplines, as a result of which they can be hired to work at facilities renovated under the Project. Projects in regions where unemployment rates are higher than the national average are financed on a priority basis.

The Beautiful Bulgaria Project is aimed at easing the problem of unemployment and enhancing the attractiveness and suitability of the urban and social infrastructure in the country. The Project creates conditions for sustainable employment of the workforce by co-financing of projects for the repair of facilities and creates new jobs in construction.

For 2009, applications will be received from all parts of the country under several measures. These include projects for repair and rehabilitation of facilities of architectural, historical, cultural, public and tourist importance, including cultural monuments, museums, churches, monasteries and adjoining areas, community centers, recreation places, parks, tourist facilities, sporting venues and children's playgrounds.

The minimum required co-financing from the beneficiaries is 50 per cent of the total value of the project, with up to 50 per cent non-reimbursable aid provided for each project. Along with construction activities, the construction companies implementing the projects are required to recruit unemployed persons through job centers, who will take part in the construction process and receive temporary or permanent employment and construction qualifications.

Initiated by the United Nations Development Program, the Beautiful Bulgaria Project is administrated entirely by the Labor and Social Policy Ministry for the third year in a row.

Over a period of twelve years, the Beautiful Bulgaria Project has involved steps in over 220 municipalities in Bulgaria. The period between 1997 and 2008 has seen the renovation of over 2,400 cultural monuments, schools, social care homes, community centers, kindergartens, urban parks and houses of worship. Over 51,000 unemployed people have found jobs under the Project. Some 13,000 people have received occupational training. Over 1,450 Bulgarian companies have taken part in the construction and repairs.

The draft budget for 2009 is 10 million leva.