February 5 (BTA) - A total of 3.5 million leva will be used to finance projects for employers to create new jobs and improve working conditions for people with permanent disabilities of working age in 2021, the press centre of the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy said here on Friday.

The funds will be provided under the National Programme for Employment of People with Disabilities by the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy.

Employers can receive up to 10,000 leva to provide access to existing or new jobs for people with permanent disabilities of working age. The same amount will be used to finance proposals for adapting existing jobs and equipping new jobs for people with permanent disabilities. Employers can receive up to 1,000 leva for providing qualification and re-qualification opportunities to a worker with a disability.

Another project will provide up to 20,000 leva for the implementation of projects for people with disabilities who want to start an independent business. Applicants must have 50 or more than 50 per cent reduced working capacity and can not participate as owners or partners in another company.

The Agency for People with Disabilities (APD) will also finance projects of socially and economically oriented companies, the aim of which is to improve working conditions. Their focus should be on technological equipment upgrades, the introduction of new technologies and the creation of new jobs. The social projects can receive up to 40,000 leva, while business-oriented projects can receive up to 80,000 leva.

The APD also announced a competition for financing projects for the establishment of centers for sheltered employment. Each sheltered employment centre must provide conditions for the development of work skills and habits of at least 15 people with multiple permanent disabilities, along with the provision of a minimum package of personal support services. The approved candidates will receive up to 300,000 leva .

The APD is also accepting project proposals for funding the rehabilitation and integration of people with disabilities. They are divided into four components with a subsidy amount from 4,000 leva to 18,000 leva.

Projects for building an accessible architectural environment of cultural, historical and sports sites for people with disabilities will also receive financing. NV/DT

/МЙ/