With an increasing share of populations dwelling in cities, urban emission reduction is gaining priority at the national level. A high share of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the global footprint is ultimately attributable to urban areas; as such, the effect of carbon lockin further increases...

The Croatian banking sector is still burdened with a high portion of Non-Performing Loans, which must be resolved in order to support normalized credit conditions in the economy. With Non-Performing Loans (NPL) amounting to 16.6 of total loans at the end of 2015 and as much as 30 of loans in the...

This survey was designed to assist the World Bank Group (WBG) in gaining a better understanding of how stakeholders in Bulgaria perceive the WBG. The survey explored the following questions: (1) what opinion do key stakeholders have of the WBG when it comes to its effectiveness, relevance,...

Bulgaria has a concentrated but growing HIV epidemic, in which HIV prevalence increased among all population groups over the past decade. This increasing trend in HIV prevalence is particularly marked among men who have sex with men (MSM). For men and women who inject drugs, assuming stable...

This report is part of a joint study between the European Commission (EC), the World Bank, andthe Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). It aims to inform activation and employment support and social inclusion policy making and programs through an improved understanding...

In 2016, the Government of Bulgaria (GoB) decided to initiate spending reviews to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of its spending in the context of a moderate fiscal consolidation process. Though Bulgaria has one of the lowest overall spending in the European Union (EU), spending...

In 2016, the Government of Bulgaria (GoB) decided to initiate spending reviews (RS) to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of its spending in the context of a moderate fiscal consolidation process. Although Bulgaria has one of the lowest overall spending in the European Union (EU), spending...

This policy note is developed with the aim to inform the planning and implementation of the policy goals toward parenting support in Bulgaria. First, it summarizes the trends and concepts in parenting policies that influence the evolution of programs across Europe and other countries. Second, it...

These programs have been prepared by the Government of Bulgaria (GoB) with technical support by the World Bank. In the course of the work it became clear that national and local institutions would face multi- faceted challenges in implementing the NAQIP and NAPCP, relating mainly to overcoming...

Overall, commendable progress has been made in modernizing public procurement in Bulgaria since the procurement strategy was launched in 2014 and the landmark legislation was passed in 2016. This report provides an assessment of the public procurement system in Bulgaria, reviewing progress since...