The mass personnel changes undertaken by the new government have also reached the State Fund "Agriculture." The structure, which distributes about 2 billion euros annually through European Union subsidies, as well as state programs and market mechanisms, has acquired new leadership.
The fund's current executive director, Iva Ivanova, has been demoted and will now serve as a deputy to the newly appointed head. The new executive director of the State Fund "Agriculture" is Vladislava Kazakova.
The Minister of Agriculture publicly expressed appreciation for the former leadership. "I thank Iva Ivanova for the perfect organization created for the successful completion of the Rural Development Program from the previous period, under whose leadership all submitted applications for investment measures were reviewed," the minister stated.
He also emphasized the contribution of Petya Slavcheva: according to him, she played a key role in the successful disbursement of funds under the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) towards the end of 2025.
Earlier, it became clear that the "Agriculture" Fund had failed to absorb 310 million euros, meaning these funds are lost to Bulgaria. Part of this loss occurred during Iva Ivanova's tenure at the head of the fund.
From the spring of 2024, Iva Ivanova headed the State Fund "Agriculture." She holds a Master's degree in "European Union Law" from Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski," in partnership with the University of Nancy, France.
Who is the new director of the "Agriculture" Fund
The new executive director, Vladislava Kazakova, is a Master of Economics, having graduated from the University of Economics – Varna. She has over 20 years of professional and managerial experience in the field of public administration, project management, and support for agricultural producers.
Her professional career is closely linked to the State Fund "Agriculture," where she has successively held expert and leadership positions. Among these are the posts of Deputy Executive Director in charge of "Direct Payments," Acting Director of the Regional Directorate – Plovdiv, and Head of the "Implementation of Support Schemes and Measures" department.
The Governing Board of the State Fund "Agriculture" dismissed the former deputy executive directors Petya Slavcheva and Maya Miteva.
Taking their place as new deputy executive directors in the fund's leadership are Ilya Ilev, Vladimir Atanasov, and Dimitar Gorov.