Bulgaria’s Culture Fund Under Scrutiny: A Pattern of Mismanagement and Political Influence
Recent reports have brought to light concerns surrounding the allocation of funds from Bulgaria’s National Culture Fund (NCF). A probe has been launched into the financing of actor Ivo Arakov’s musical and film projects, which have received nearly 400,000 euros in funding. This situation has sparked a wider debate about transparency, accountability, and political interference within the NCF and the Ministry of Culture.
Arakov’s Projects and the Funding Controversy
Actor Ivo Arakov has secured funding for multiple projects, including a European tour promoting his music album, a film titled “Isolation,” and a single, “Rockstar,” reportedly receiving 70,000 euros from the National Plan for Recovery and Resilience. While the total approved funding nears 400,000 euros, questions are being raised about the value and impact of these projects, particularly given the reportedly low attendance at his European tour performances.
Delays and Low Absorption Rates of EU Funds
The Arakov case is symptomatic of broader issues with the absorption of funds from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRP). Programs designed to support the cultural and creative industries have seen extremely low disbursement rates. As of early 2026, only 9% and 12% of allocated funds from two key schemes had been paid out to applicants. Many artists and organizations report submitting required documentation months ago, with no response from the NCF.
Artists are often required to front the costs of projects and then seek reimbursement from the NCF, creating a financial burden and further delaying project completion. Director Martin Genovski, for example, submitted an interim report in November and had received no funds as of March 2026.
Political Interference and Ministerial Turnover
The current situation is rooted in a history of political interference and instability within the Ministry of Culture and the NCF. The recent ministerial mandate saw two changes in the NCF director within a short period. The first director, appointed by “There Is Such a People” (ITN), failed to launch any programs during his three-month tenure. His successor, Sofia Shtereva, faced scrutiny over her previous management of funds at PROFON.
Current Minister of Culture, Nayden Todorov, has acknowledged the NCF as a “major problem” and initiated a review of projects approved under the previous administration. He has also appointed a novel director, Neeli Nedelcheva, with a mandate to address the backlog of funding requests.
Internal Chaos and Lack of Transparency
An internal audit of the NCF revealed significant disorganization and a lack of transparency. The new director, Nedelcheva, reported difficulty accessing contracts and a lack of clarity regarding the fund’s budget. Concerns were raised about questionable practices, such as a financial expert receiving a monthly salary of 10,000 levs for working only one hour per day.
Beyond Arakov: Questionable Allocations in the National Cultural Calendar
The issues extend beyond individual projects. The recently approved National Cultural Calendar for 2026 includes funding for events of questionable cultural merit, such as festivals dedicated to goose liver and pelivan wrestling, receiving funding comparable to established national events like the Varna Summer Festival and the Sofia Film Fest. The festival of storks in Belozem received the same funding as “Apolonia” and “Varna Summer”.
Despite the sector’s long-standing advocacy for a 1% allocation of the state budget to culture, the sector currently receives only 0.5%.
FAQ
Q: What prompted the investigation into Ivo Arakov’s funding?
A: Concerns about the allocation of significant funds to his projects, particularly in light of their perceived artistic merit and public reception.
Q: What is the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRP)?
A: A European Union initiative designed to support economic recovery and resilience following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Q: What is the current status of the investigation?
A: The Minister of Culture has ordered a review of the projects, and the results are pending.
Q: What are the main criticisms of the National Culture Fund?
A: Lack of transparency, political interference, mismanagement, and slow disbursement of funds.
Q: What is the current state of funding for the cultural sector in Bulgaria?
A: The cultural sector receives only 0.5% of the state budget, despite long-standing calls for 1%.
Did you know? The NCF started with a budget of 200-300 thousand levs, but now manages 90 million levs from the Recovery Plan.
Pro Tip: Artists and cultural organizations should meticulously document all expenses and communications with the NCF to ensure a smooth reimbursement process.
What are your thoughts on the allocation of cultural funding? Share your opinions in the comments below!
