Regional Initiatives Fund Project (RIF)

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The Regional Initiatives Fund Project (RIF) for Bulgaria aims to test the social fund mechanism as a means of improving the standards of living among the poor and unemployed during the economic transition. The project has three components. The Microprojects component finances about 100 microprojects identified and prepared by municipalities, nongovernmental organizations, and other intermediaries. The majority of microprojects would include civil works to improve water supply, sanitation, solid waste management, soil recovery, rehabilitation of local health units, schools, feeder roads, and irrigation works. The second component, Labor Market Analysis, includes two labor force surveys, a net impact evaluation of active labor market programs (Lamps), and investigation of legal and administrative changes conducive to microcredit. The third component, Project Management, includes operating costs costs, training, and technical assistance as well as monitoring and evaluation of microprojects and work by the Project Management unit to design and develop the RIF on behalf of the government.