Technical Support Instrument (successor to the Structural Reform Support Programme as of 2021)
European Union Technical Support Instrument
The Regulation (EU) 2021/240 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 10 February 2021 establishing a Technical Support Instrument for the period 2021 to 2027 (TSI) lays the foundation of an independent technical support instrument as a successor to the Structural Reform Support Programme (SRSP) available to all Member States. The instrument aims to help national authorities implement institutional, administrative and structural reforms that are sustainable and resilience-enhancing. The Directorate-General for Structural Reform Support (DG REFORM) provides technical support to EU Member States in the context of the European Semester.
The financial envelope for the implementation of the instrument for the period from 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2027 shall be EUR 864 000 000 in current prices. The Regulation defines in detail the policy areas where support to Member States is envisaged, the activities that can be financed, as well as the different forms to receive financial assistance. The costs are entirely at the expense of the TSI, and no national co-financing is required.
Member States wishing to receive technical support under the instrument shall submit a request for technical support to the Commission, identifying the policy areas and the priorities for support, by 31 October of the respective year unless otherwise specified in the additional dedicated calls for requests.
To apply under the Instrument, a request for support should be prepared, which must be accompanied by a Declaration for the absence of double funding, signed by a person who has the right to represent and manage the relevant administrative structure (the mandatory documents are available below).
The entire participation process is regulated by Decision of the Council of Ministers № 695 of 10 October 2024 that establishes a mechanism for coordinating and monitoring structural reforms under the European Semester. The Council of Ministers adopts a list of prioritized national request for support, by 20 October, and afterwards submits it to the European Commission. After requests get approval from the Directorate-General for Structural Reform Support, the Directorate and the institution concerned choose together the contractor of the activities.
At national level, the European Affairs and Policies Directorate at the Ministry of Finance performs the functions of a Coordination Unit for the implementation of the Structural Reform Support Programme and its successor the Technical Support Instrument, which ensures the coordination between the Directorate-General for Structural Reform Support and national institutions.
Since 2017, numerous projects in a variety of policy areas have been successfully executed or are currently being implemented in Bulgaria, which contributes to overcoming various structural challenges.
Regulatory documents and timeline:
Regulation establishing the Technical Support Instrument 2021-2027
Decision of the Council of Ministers № 695 of 10 October 2024
Timeline - Technical Support Instrument
Mandatory application documents:
Request for Technical Support template
Instructions Accompanying the Template for Request for Technical Support