The Svilengrad Municipality has presented its draft budget for 2026 for public discussion, featuring a total financial framework of 32,283,702 euros. The funds will be directed toward the development of sports, educational, and social infrastructure, the maintenance of public services, the improvement of the urban environment, and the implementation of projects under national and European programs.
The draft budget is composed of 5,906,426 euros in revenue from taxes, fees, services, and rents, 18,053,964 euros from state-delegated activities, and 14,229,738 euros from local activities. Within the social sector, 4,138,271 euros are allocated, while 9,809,907 euros are earmarked for education. The distribution of funds also covers other key sectors: 1,785,399 euros for ecology (including sanitation and the urban environment), 978,659 euros for healthcare, 810,946 euros for sports and tourism, and 578,568 euros for culture, community centers, and museums.
A vital pillar in the planning is the municipality's investment program, valued at a total of 14,219,893 euros. This will provide funding for:
- the design, major renovation, and construction of social, educational, and sports infrastructure;
- the renovation of residential neighborhoods and public buildings;
- the rehabilitation of streets, the construction of bike lanes, and the replacement of the water supply network.
To achieve these goals, the municipality relies on actively attracting external funding. In 2026, activities are expected to continue under the Regional Development Program 2021–2027 (ITI 1 and ITI 2), projects under Annex No. 3 to the State Budget Act of the Republic of Bulgaria for 2026, as well as the Rural Development Programs for 2014–2020 and 2021–2027 through the LAG "Svilengrad – Topolovgrad". The list of programs also includes Interreg Bulgaria – Turkey and the Human Resources Development Program.
The 2026 budget for the Municipal Enterprise "Landscaping and Greening" is set at 3,251,268 euros. These funds will support the renewal of machinery, including the purchase of a garbage truck, a backhoe loader, and other equipment.
Deputy Mayor Svetlana Dinkova – Margaritova defended the project today, with Mayor Arch. Anastas Karchev in attendance. She emphasized that the financial framework is based on the calculations prepared by the municipality as early as March, amidst the absence of an adopted state budget. Svilengrad is among the few municipalities that developed their own estimates at the beginning of the year to ensure transparent, efficient, and purposeful planning and spending, with a portion of these revenues and expenditures already being actively applied. The Deputy Mayor further noted that the municipality has already reported on and implemented its projects under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan. The budget is now set to be submitted to the Municipal Council for review and adoption.
- Mayor Arch. Anastas Karchev inaugurated the new school year and the renovated building of the "Hristo Botev" primary school in the village of Levka
- The central square in the village of Momkovo has been renovated using municipal funds
- The Municipal Enterprise "Landscaping and Greening" has updated its fleet with a new excavator
- The municipality has replaced the street lighting between Svilengrad and the "Capt. Petko Voyvoda" district