Bulgarian Labour and Social Policy Minister Natalia Efremova revealed on 13 November 2026 that the government will open three new integrated health and social residential care facilities for 43 elderly people who are unable to care for themselves in the Montana Region. The three sites – twelve residents in Lom, twenty‑three in Montana and eight in Chiprovtsi – will be financed with €7 million earmarked in the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP). All facilities are expected to be ready for operation by 1 January 2035.
The new homes will be part of a wider effort to bring all municipal care centres in the region up to quality standards and to broaden the reach of at‑home assistance programmes. According to Efremova, the Montana Region currently manages three separate care homes that accommodate 229 residents in total. The NRRP funding for the region will enable the conversion of these sites into integrated health and social services that combine medical monitoring with day‑to‑day social support for seniors with varying levels of independence.
The National Map of Social Services outlines a broader schedule for the region, with plans to add residential care for 121 elderly people of retirement age. The entries in the map must be realised by 1 January 2035, aligning with the national recovery timeline and European funding deadlines. Municipalities of Montana and Chiprovtsi have already submitted project proposals under the second component of the Regions in Growth Programme – the “Support for Integrated Urban Development in 40 Urban Municipalities.” These proposals include construction and full equipment of new units, and have secured backing from the NRRP and additional EU technical assistance.
Financing and Timeline
The €7 million allocation covers building costs, internal fittings and necessary medical equipment across the three homes. The NRRP total budget for Bulgaria stands at €188 million for residential care reforms nationwide. While the Montana Region receives a proportionate share, the project will also be eligible for supplementary funding from EU programmes that support social and health infrastructure. The Minister added that the NRRP not only raises financial resources but also imposes a minimum quality standard for all newly upgraded facilities, ensuring that care remains consistent across municipal borders.
All newly constructed or renovated homes are subject to a 2028 inspection cycle that will verify compliance with the NRRP’s technical specifications, including energy‑efficient heating and ventilation systems. Although the Ministry’s announcement focused on human service aspects, the NRRP’s broader mandate emphasizes resilience and sustainability, which implies that the updated buildings will incorporate greener construction techniques. No specific environmental metrics were cited in the briefing, but the alignment with EU recovery policies suggests an implicit green agenda for the replacement of old facilities.
Community Impact and Integrated Services
Beyond the three new facilities, the ministry is expanding personal assistance programmes for seniors living at home. The Montana Region is currently offering assistance services to 498 people across all 11 municipalities. A further 2,683 individuals with disabilities receive support under the Personal Assistance Act. By integrating residential care, the government plans to reduce the number of home‑bound seniors who must travel to distant hospitals or clinics, potentially limiting transportation demand and related emissions. The Ministry described the new residential units as “integrated health and social residential care services” which include medical care, therapy, and domestic support under one roof, thereby streamlining the care chain for the elderly.
Efremova stated that the integrated approach will also help close the gap between specialized institutional care and community‑based services. The ministry’s strategy is to “close specialized institutions” while prioritising at‑home assistance wherever possible. The new facilities will host residents who have a higher level of care needs that cannot be met in a standard home environment, while those with fewer needs continue to benefit from personal assistance programs. The focus on at‑home care matches a growing global trend towards “aging in place,” which is considered a more environmentally sustainable model due to reduced commuting and infrastructure strain.
In terms of social outcomes, the program will create new roles for health professionals and caregivers. The NRRP states that all new facilities must meet occupational health and safety standards, implying that volunteers and paid staff will receive updated training. According to the ministry, integrated care also helps improve mental wellbeing for seniors by offering a community setting and reducing isolation, a factor that could indirectly influence healthier lifestyles and lower food waste through better nutritional planning at the homes.
When addressing the Macar one caveat, Efremova clarified that while the integrated model reduces the need for specialized institutions, it will still constitute an investment in physical infrastructure. The ministry plans to lease the municipal properties of the existing homes and then renovate them to meet the new standards, thereby leveraging existing community assets and reducing the carbon footprint associated with construction of entirely new buildings.
Regulatory compliance with European Union directives on social housing and health services is a key requirement for accessing NRRP funds. The ministry coordinated with the National Health Agency to ensure that the medical equipment and staffing models meet EU certification standards. The new facilities will use energy‑efficient HVAC systems that are approved as meeting the EU’s minimal efficiency class, potentially qualifying the project for green credit lines in the future.
Community stakeholders, including senior welfare NGOs from the region, welcomed the announcement and noted that the integration of health and social care will better address the complex needs of the population. NGOs highlighted that the closer proximity of services will reduce the travel burden on family caregivers, who often rely on public transport that is not always accessible or timely for older passengers. Improvements to transportation infrastructure in Montana are expected to be complementary to the home‑based service model, again resonating with the broader green mobility agenda at the national level.
As the majority of the residents who will benefit from the new homes are currently in the age group where chronic illnesses increase, this integrated care model aligns with global health objectives that emphasize preventive care and holistic wellbeing. The NRRP, while primarily focused on economic recovery, also allocates resources for projects that have a demonstrable impact on public health, an element that Synergises environmental and health outcomes by potentially cutting energy consumption and reducing the environmental impact of frequent medical visits.
Overall, officials anticipate that the integrated health and social residential care services will enhance quality of life for elderly residents of the Montana Region while reinforcing Bulgaria's commitment to EU recovery mandates. The 43‑resident capacity is one element of a 121‑resident expansion outlined in the National Map of Social Services, with all project milestones tied to the 2035 deadline. The infection control lessons learned from the 2024‑2026 pandemic will inform infection prevention protocols already built into the new facilities, ensuring that older adults enjoy safer care environments. This development comes amid a parallel effort to map and secure critical raw materials in the region, highlighted in a recent Earth and Man National Museum exhibition, which emphasises the importance of sustainable supply chains for everyday life and indirectly supports the sustainable design goals of the new care homes.
