Browse Ageing Policies

The Employment Promotion Act aims to regulate public relations in employment promotion, employment security, vocational guidance, and adult training. It also focuses on mediation for job placement within Bulgaria and other countries. The primary institutions involved are the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy and the National Employment Agency. Key stakeholders include employers, workers, employees, and various non-profit legal entities. This policy covers Bulgarian citizens, EU citizens, and other eligible individuals seeking employment in Bulgaria. It applies nationally and includes sectors such as vocational training, employment mediation, and adult education. Article 55a provides financial support to employers who hire unemployed persons over 55 years of age. The support is available for up to 12 months. The unemployed individuals must be directed by the National Employment Agency. Employers receive sums according to Art. 30a, para 2, for the duration of employment. In terms of timeframe, the article was introduced together with the rest of the Act in 2001, and last amended in 2021.

The primary goal of the Personal Assistance Act and Ordinance No. RD-07-7 of 28.06.2019 for inclusion in the mechanism of personal assistance is to establish a framework for the provision of personal assistance to individuals with disabilities. It aims to ensure proper implementation, avoid double funding, and regulate the agreements between users, assistants, and providers. The main institutions involved are the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy, municipalities, and the Social Assistance Agency. Key stakeholders include individuals with disabilities, their legal representatives, and personal assistants. This policy targets individuals with disabilities across the nation who have been assessed and issued a directive for personal assistance. It covers the procedures for applying, providing, and monitoring personal assistance services. Key features include the application process, criteria for selecting personal assistants, and the terms of agreements between users and providers. The policy outlines the responsibilities of municipalities and the Social Assistance Agency in overseeing the provision of services, ensuring compliance, and preventing double funding. Training for assistants and users is also mandated. As this policy was established in 2019, its impacts include improved access to personal assistance for individuals with disabilities and better regulation of service provision.

The National Strategy for Active Ageing in Bulgaria (2019–2030) aims to create conditions for active and dignified life of older persons by providing equal opportunities for their full participation in the economic and social life of society. It builds on the National Concept for Promotion of Active Ageing (2012). It is cross-sectorial: while the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy is the responsible institution for the implementation, coordination, monitoring, and evaluation of the strategy, other ministries and government agencies are involved in these processes. The strategy includes four main priorities: ensuring equal opportunities for active employment and financial stability of older persons; improving the standard and quality of life of older persons; ensuring equal opportunities for access to health and social services and promoting healthy and active ageing; and overcoming the negative stereotypes and building a positive public image of older persons. The strategy outlines various actions and measures under each priority, such as promoting lifelong learning and flexible work arrangements, reforming the pension system and combating poverty, improving the living environment and the accessibility of public spaces, developing and modernizing long-term care and home care, supporting the development of the “silver economy” and the voluntary work, and raising awareness and education on ageing issues.

The National Strategy for Lifelong Learning (2014-2020) of Bulgaria aims to respond to the challenges of social inclusion and economic growth, and to foster national and cultural identity. The strategy is cross-sectoral, and it is implemented by various stakeholders including learners, training providers, employers, trade organizations, labor unions, civil society organizations, regions, municipalities, local communities, and government bodies. The scope of the strategy encompasses all areas of learning and all individuals within the country engaged in formal, non-formal, or informal learning. It also addresses the issue of low participation in lifelong learning among people aged 25-64 and inter-regional migration. Key features of the strategy include a comprehensive list of planned measures and initiatives, and principles of quality, equality, diversity, decentralization, cooperation, measurability, and flexibility. The strategy also provides recommendations for future years. The strategy has been designed to contribute to the attainment of the European goal for smart, sustainable, and inclusive growth. It was adopted on January 10, 2014.

The Updated National Demographic Strategy of the Republic of Bulgaria (2012–2030) aims to address the country's demographic challenges. The strategy's primary goal is to slow down the population decrease rate and achieve long-term stabilization. It focuses on enhancing human capital quality, including health, education, abilities, and skills. The strategy involves all Bulgarian citizens and is implemented by government bodies, with active participation from citizens and businesses. The policy covers the entire population of Bulgaria, aiming for balanced demographic development and improved human capital quality. It considers all life phases: youth, active working age, and retirement. Key interventions include encouraging having children, improving reproductive health, raising demographic awareness, reducing mortality rates, and managing migration. It emphasizes lawfulness, prevention, continuity, equality, efficiency, efficacy, coherency, public-private partnership, transparency, sustainability, and public and political consensus. The strategy will be implemented through a set of measures across various sectors, including health, education, social services, and employment, to create favorable conditions for demographic development. The strategy will be operating between 2012 and 2030.