Support for digital transformation and growth of SMEs from Northern Bulgaria under the N-Spark program

Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises from Northern Bulgaria can apply for participation in the program N-Spark, implemented by the Executive Agency for the Promotion of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (ESMEPA) in partnership with the World Bank. The deadline for expressing interest is October 16, 2026.

The program is aimed at supporting enterprises in the process of digital transformation, with a focus on developing management capacity, implementing innovations and increasing sustainability and growth potential. Participation is free for approved companies and includes a combination of individual work and group training, tailored to the specific needs of the business.

What support can businesses receive?

Within N-Spark, businesses can receive:

• individualized support for management capacity development;
• guidelines for implementing artificial intelligence;
• support for organizational transformation and improvement of business processes;
• development of entrepreneurial thinking and innovation potential.

The support includes working with experienced experts, consultations and training, as well as preparing an initial, interim and final report and an implementation plan for the relevant service packages.

Basic and advanced module

Applicant companies can choose between two participation options.

The main module includes two training and consulting packages:

• „"Entrepreneurial Thinking and Change Management";
• „"Artificial Intelligence for SME Growth".

The advanced module includes the main module and two more packages:

• „"Management skills", including improving SME management practices, skills strategies and exporting for growth;
• „"Technological improvement", including the use of digital solutions, technological renewal and digitalization of core business functions.

The duration of the core module is 16 weeks, and on extensions – 32 weeks, with an approximate commitment of about 4 hours per week. The activities are planned to take place in hybrid format, with the specific schedule to be determined by the participating businesses.

Who Can Participate?

Among the main requirements are that candidates:

• be micro, small or medium-sized enterprises;
• to carry out business activities in one or more districts in Northern Bulgaria;
• not have any public obligations to the state;
• comply with applicable eligibility and state aid requirements.

Help mode

Support under the program is provided in the form of de minimis aid. For each approved enterprise, the value of the support is 5,100 euros for participation in the main module and 13,200 euros for participation in the extended module.

When applying, the total amount of minimum aid received for the relevant „same enterprise“ should also be taken into account. According to the terms of the procedure, it must not exceed 300,000 euros for a period of three previous years, starting from the date of granting the aid.

How do I apply?

Expression of interest is done online through the platform N-Spark, developed by the World Bank:

Candidates should submit an application for participation and the necessary documents, including a declaration under the Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Act, and, if necessary, documents related to the capital structure, related enterprises, lack of public liabilities and the applicable de minimis rules.

The deadline for expressing interest is October 16, 2026 inclusive.

More information about the program:
www.n-spark.bg

For additional information, businesses can contact:

Vesela Mitkova
Senior Expert, SME Development Directorate, BSMEPA
tel.: 02/940 79 85
email: nspark.bsmepa@sme.government.bg

The Ruse Chamber of Commerce and Industry encourages interested enterprises from the region to familiarize themselves with the terms of the program and, if interested, to apply for participation within the specified deadline.