Background information

The Council of Ministers has adopted the "Together Again" program in June 2021. State funding totals BGN 15 million (€7.5 million). Students will be given the opportunity to participate in creative events, to visit museums and art events. One of the biggest effects of the introduced pandemic situation is the reduction of social contacts, which has had a severe impact on students. That is why the government decided to adopt a program allowing children to socialise and communicate in person.

Program activities will support the national tourism by engaging hotels, tour operators, museums and tour guides.

Content of measure

The BGN 500 (€250) tourist package per student is for 5 days of vacation. Schools must chose 3 travel agents and conclude a preliminary contract when submitting documents to the program. The initial program deadline was set at 14 September. By a government decision of 16 September 2021, the program is extended up to 14 September 2022.

Considering that one of the aims of the program is to address isolation and mental health amongst students, priority might be given to schools that are still in remote learning. Eligibility criteria is decided by schools and might include duration of distance learning, school performance, social and health status of children.

Use of measure

The program allows seven per cent of students between 7 and 18 years in age to be granted a free summer holiday that will include hotel, travel, food, visits to museums, and medical care. The program is about to cover 30,000 participants or 165 participants per school. Up to December 2021 the government has allocated a total of BGN 12 million (€6 million) on performed or planned student vacations. The remaining BGN 3 million (€1.5 million) will be available until 14 September 2022.

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Does not apply to workers	Does not apply to businesses	Children (minors)

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
National government	National funds

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	No involvement	No involvement
Form	Not applicable	Not applicable

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• No involvement
• Main level of involvement: N/A

Involvement

No involvement at the time of adoption of the measure.

Views and reactions

No views at the time of adoption of the measures.

Sectors and occupations

This case is not occupation-specific.

Sources

• 16 June 2021: Together Again: Bulgaria looks to schoolchildren to relaunch tourism (emerging-europe.com)
• 16 June 2021: 30,000 students go on vacation under “Together Again” program (bnr.bg)
• 17 June 2021: НП „ОТНОВО ЗАЕДНО“ (www.mon.bg)
• 16 December 2021: Шест училища получават средства за почивки по „Отново заедно“ (coronavirus.bg)