Bulgaria

Last update: March, 2011

The figures in the table below are calculated on the basis of annual NSI data, on the size of the population based on births and deaths, and data from the last census conducted in March 2001. The basic reason for the rise of the cultural expenditure per capita is caused by the significant the rise of GDP - more than twice between 2002 and 2008. For 2009, the level of cultural expenditure per capita is on a level with 2007, mostly because of the decrease in the GDP and budget restrictions of public expenditure.

Indicator 1: Public cultural expenditure, all levels of government, per capita in 2009 was 57.14 BGN or 29.30 EUR.

Indicator 2: This corresponds to 0.64% of the GDP.

Indicator 3: The share of the total public expenditure in 2009 was 1.72%.

Table 9:     Public cultural expenditure per capita in BGN and in EUR, 1999-2009

Source:      NSI, Bulgarian National Bank (http://www.bnb.bg/), 1999-2009

Last update: March, 2020

Table 6. Public cultural expenditure by level of government, 2018

Source: Ministry of Culture budget report for 2018, 2019
Note: * At the date of expenditure

Last update: March, 2020

Table 7: Direct state cultural expenditure and transfers (central level)*: by sector, [2018], in 1000 of national currency

Source: Ministry of Culture budget report for 2018, 2019

Information is currently not available.

Last update: December, 2011

The National Culture Fund (NCF) was established by the Protection and Development of Culture Act and began operating in November 2000. Its main goal is to support the development of culture in accordance with national cultural policies outlined in the state programmes for the corresponding period and spelled out in the Protection and Development of Culture Act.

The governing body of the NCF is a Management Board whose chairman is the Minister of Culture. Members of the Board are distinguished cultural figures, representatives of unions of artists and a representative from each of the municipalities, the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Finance.

Funding for creative projects is allocated on the basis of open tenders / competitions which are prepared and approved by the Management Board. Priority areas for support are formulated at the beginning of each year. All cultural organisations can participate in these competitions, including non-profit organisations and individuals. The applicants submit their documentation according to a specific application procedure. The applications are examined and evaluated by commissions of experts from different sectors. The Management Board discusses the decisions made by the commissions of experts and reaches a final decision for funding winning projects. The competition results are announced on the website of the Euro-Bulgarian Cultural Centre: https://www.ngobg.info/en/organizations/630-eurobulgarian-cultural-centre.html, and the winners are informed by personal letters.

The new priorities of NCF foresee its development as an independent organisation, which takes part in the formulation of Bulgarian cultural policy. In order to achieve this goal, the NCF has outlined the following activities which it plans to undertake:

• formation of an environment and preparation of a normative order for the creation of a national cultural strategy. This includes efforts to implement mechanisms and procedures outlined in the Protection and Development of Culture Act, aimed at widening its scope of activities and securing the economic and institutional structure of the Fund;
• participation of NCF in projects, informational and expert programmes of analysis of the Cultural Department;
• participation in the programmes of the European Union in order to ensure the financial support required to realise reforms in the area of culture; and
• elaborate mechanisms to attract additional resources from donations and from partnerships with other institutions.

In 2003, a programme for international cultural exchange and mobility was launched. Within this programme, the NCF distributes yearly around 43 000 BGN (22 000 EUR), dedicated to travel expenses of artists and managers on a competition basis.

Since 2003, the NCF attempts at increasing its resources and activities through new partnerships with different types of organisations. The NCF, together with the Soros Centre for Cultural Policies and the Swiss Cultural Programme in Bulgaria organised and held a joint competition to support new projects proposed by the young and youngest generation artists in the whole spectrum of contemporary arts, including training. The goal of the competition was to encourage the development of new trends in the field of contemporary art and culture, to stimulate the production of a variety of cultural products, and to contribute to their "popularisation" and international exchange. The Fund extended its activities over the next years and in achieved in 2007 the highest amount of funds raised for additional support activities, research and surveys, international collaboration and networking etc. Comparing to the year 2006, its total budget for activities doubled.

In 2009, the National Culture Fund budget was 1 228 491 BGN - from state subsidies, endowments etc. and was used for supporting different projects within NFC directions of priority as follows:

Table 14:   State subsidy and endowments used for supporting different projects within NFC, 2009

Source:      National Culture Fund, 2009.

The State Prize "Paisii Hilendarski"wasestablished by Article 19 of Protection and Development of Culture Act. Since 2000, it has been awarded on a yearly basis to one eminent Bulgarian artist (author or performer) whose work is of importance, or related to Bulgarian history and tradition. The Prize is given by the Prime Minister based on proposals put forward by the Minister of Culture (who in turn receives proposals from all state authorities and non-government cultural organisations).

Since 2003, the Ministry of Culture awards the yearly prize "Golden Age" in honour of the 24th May - a Day of Bulgarian Education and Culture and Slavic writing. The Prize - honorary decoration and a sum of 3 000 BGN - is given by the Minister of Culture for contributions to the development and popularisation of Bulgarian culture. In 2003, the Prize was awarded to 30 Bulgarian artists from all areas of culture. They are nominated by the artists unions and national art centres.

Indirect state support for artists and creativity is provided via various laws with provisions recognising the specificity of creative work: employment relations, social protection in case of unemployment, income tax, donations for cultural activities, social insurance, etc. Notably, all those laws are currently being revised for the purpose of harmonisation with the acquis communitaire.

Last update: December, 2011

The important positive role of NGOs in the transition period has become obvious in the past five years. Recent data shows that there has been an increase of third sector support for cultural projects.

Foundations offer three main forms of support to artists including:

• talent scouting and arranging exhibitions, shows, competitions and other forums for young hopefuls;
• creation and improvement of working and training conditions (facilities, workshops, courses etc.); and
• grants for education or special training abroad.

The Open Society Institute, Future for Bulgaria Foundation, Ss Cyril and Methodius Foundation, the 13 Centuries Bulgaria Fund, and since 2000, the National Culture Fund, together with the EU Phare Programme, granted a total of more than USD 13.6 million for cultural projects between 1996-2004.

The American Foundation in Bulgaria (established in 2004) supports and promotes excellence in Education, Natural Sciences, Arts, Culture, and the Humanities. Its "Arts" programme supports projects of young film makers and visual artists, as well as cultural heritage.

Table 15:   NGO contributions to culture 1996-2005 (in USD)

Obviously, the major sponsor of culture 1996-2004 was the Open Society Foundation. At the same time the Foundation, through its Soros Centre for the Arts, developed specialised programmes (on visual arts, theatre, music, literature, cultural heritage), as well as a comprehensive database through which it provides consulting services to Bulgarian and foreign artists and experts.

According to information provided by the non-governmental organisation "Bulgarian Donor's Forum" (established in 2003), various donors provided support for projects in the cultural area in the amount of 300 000 BGN for the year 2004. These include the Swiss Cultural Programme Pro Helvetia, the European Cultural Foundation, business companies (ING Bank, Post Bank) and charity business networks (Rotary Club). The majority of these grants were directed towards modern art, followed by support for the exploration and preservation of the cultural and historic heritage.

The number of companies that donate to charity is low, but is growing - from 4% in 2003 to 6% in 2005. A research on the "Bulgarian Donor's Forum" indicates that 60% of the donations are from international institutions and foundations from USA, Germany, Japan, European Union and about 20% from Bulgarian private companies. Bulgaria receives about 20 million EUR from foreign donor's capital annually. More recently, there is a noticed reduction of international involvement and an increase in funding coming from the Bulgarian state budget.

The ratio of state subsidies delivered through the state budget (741 326 254 USD) to funds provided by the third sector (13 567 975 USD) for support to cultural projects between 1996 and 2004 is approximately 50:1, i.e. 2% of all funds invested in cultural projects have been granted by NGOs. This ratio is common to most European countries with well developed legislation, established traditions, and a strong business community, where the volume of funds obtained through sponsorship is between 1 and 6%.

In 2007 a culture support programme was launched by the Sofia City Hall. At its first session in the second half of 2007 it awarded 20 projects in 4 categories with an amount of 460 943 BGN (235 680 EUR).

Last update: December, 2011

Professional associations are currently lobbying the Parliament for favourable social and labour legislation for their respective professions, as well as for passage of specific legislation facilitating the emergence of a market for works of art.

Artists association maintain social funds offering members lump-sum aid or monthly supplements to recipients of pensions below the poverty threshold. Members of professional associations are entitled to discounts on goods and services from association-owned shops, enterprises or recreation facilities.

Some associations negotiate threshold rates of payment for certain professions with potential employers. Only a few associations have a special fund for creative support which pays part of the cost of creative activity and handles marketing.