The government has approved an agreement under which the OECD will review how Bulgaria's multi-level governance is set up. The deal is between the OECD and the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works, the Council of Ministers press office said.

The findings will be used to prepare Bulgaria for the 2028-2034 programming period. The agreement is part of the project "Strengthening Multi-level Governance for Regional Development in Bulgaria: Support for Developing and Implementing an Action Plan".

The OECD will analyse the laws and institutions involved in regional development and make recommendations. It will also help draw up an action plan with specific steps on multi-level governance and regional policy, and then help put them into practice.

The government says the project should strengthen the capacity of institutions and improve co-ordination between national, regional and local authorities. It is also expected to encourage interested parties to take part in regional development.

The results will show which changes to laws and institutions are needed, the Council of Ministers said. The changes will also address OECD recommendations on regional development and multi-level governance, as Bulgaria is in the process of joining the organisation.

The minister of regional development and public works, who has been authorised to do so, will sign the agreement. It will take effect once parliament ratifies it by law.

Before the cabinet's decision, parliament's committee on regional policy, public works and local self-government backed a bill amending and supplementing the Regional Development Act at first reading. The government submitted the bill on 20 October.

The bill provides for a full overhaul of regional planning. In its reasoning, the cabinet cites the EU's NUTS classification of regions and experience with integrated territorial investments.