The ICT Cluster supports the position of the Bulgarian Association of Business Clusters (ABC) regarding the results of the second session of the "Support for the Development of Clusters in Bulgaria" procedure.

At a press conference on September 18, 2013, the Bulgarian Association of Business Clusters (ABC) presented an official position regarding the results of the second session of the BG161PO003-2.4.02 procedure, "Support for the Development of Clusters in Bulgaria," under the Operational Programme "Development of the Competitiveness of the Bulgarian Economy."

In its position, ABC emphasized that it is absolutely essential for the Ministry of Economy and Energy (MEE) to implement a system for the accreditation of clusters in Bulgaria. Additionally, ABC recommended revising the conditions and requirements for announcing similar procedures under the Operational Programme "Competitiveness," encouraging collaboration with competent NGOs and businesses to ensure successful participation in the new EU funding scheme for 2014–2020.

Current official data shows that over 230 clusters are registered in Bulgaria, more than 130 of which participated in the second session of the procedure. It is also known that aside from ABC members, there are no more than 50 other structures that could be classified as clusters. According to ABC data, by the end of 2012, 86 "clusters" were registered in Bulgaria.

In its official position, ABC highlighted several issues with the published lists of approved and reserve proposals submitted for funding under the procedure:

• Only a few high-tech clusters working in priority sectors for Bulgaria were included in the published lists of approved projects.
• Over 80% of clusters approved for funding were registered in March-April 2013, just before the second session closed. This raises questions about how evaluators assessed the "Managerial Capacity – Sustainability, Strategy, and Vision" of these clusters.
• Clusters from fields such as sports, finance, and consulting, which do not align with the program's priorities, were selected for funding.
• Most clusters registered under the Commercial Law have the minimum required membership of seven and include only companies, lacking any research institutions, NGOs, or local bodies—uncharacteristic for genuine cluster structures.
• Some "family clusters" or clusters of interrelated persons participating in more than one cluster were selected for funding.
• One approved cluster is currently inactive.

Based on these discrepancies between the objectives of the Operational Programme "Competitiveness" and the results of procedure BG161PO003-2.4.02, the Association recommended in its position that the MEE initiate a review of the evaluation process. Should any shortcomings or issues be identified, ABC urged the Ministry to request corrections before the final contracts are signed with the beneficiaries.