Ensuring equal access to inclusive and quality education services, including by creating a sustainable joint pilot model for distance and on-line education and training in Byala-Giurgiu-Silistra ( EQUAL - ROBG00284 )
What is the purpose?
Specific Objective: 4.2 - Improving equal access to inclusive and quality services in education, training and lifelong learning through developing accessible infrastructure, including by fostering resilience for distance and on-line education and training
Byala, Giurgiu and Silistra as well as the rest of the cross-border region faces several common territorial challenges in the sphere of inclusive education for children with SEN: limit access to quality education, including specialized services for children with SEN, lack of resources, training, and support, inadequate educational infrastructure, especially in rural and isolated areas, limited or lacking access to assistive technologies and adaptive learning tools hinders the educational progress of students with SEN. There is shortage of specialized educational services, such as sensory therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and psychological support, which are essential for children with SEN. According to the existing data (highlighted in the Territorial Analysis) both countries face challenges related to the training and availability of educators who are prepared to work with SEN children and lack of digital/online educational tools and resources. There is a need for digital resources, allowing children with SEN to participate in distance learning. The overall objective of the EQUAL project is ensuring equal access to inclusive and quality education services, including by creating a sustainable pilot model for distance and on-line education and training in Byala-Giurgiu-Silistra.
What is the budget?
611.438,19 €, from which 489.150,54 € FEDR and 122.287,65 € National Contribution
Who implements the project?
Lead partner (LP): Byala Municipality, Bulgaria
Partner 2 (P2): Giurgiu County Council, Romania
Partner 3 (P3): Regional Center for Support of the Inclusive Education Process (RCPPPO), Silistra, Bulgaria
What is the implementation period?
Start date: 2025-08-16
End Date: 2027-02-15
Period: 18 months
Where it is implemented?
Giurgiu County – Romania
Byala,Ruse District,
Silistra District - Bulgaria
What will happen?
- Supply of SEN equipment for Byala
- Supply of SEN equipment for Giurgiu
- Investment in the educational facilities in RCPPPO Silistra
- Joint sociological research on the SEN educational needs and expectations of the cross-border area Byala-Giurgiu-Silistra
- Development of specialized SEN methodological resources for experts, children’s and parents
- Development of innovative SEN joint cross-border education and training platform
- Workshop "Cross-border SEN education and training network in the Byala-Giurgiu-Silistra cross-border area"
- Training "Sensory-integrative therapy - techniques and approaches to stimulate the senses and improve motor skills in preschool children."
- Joint initiatives for exchange of experience and best practices
- Communication activities
What will be the results (what is the contribution to the program)?
- RCO85 - Participations in joint training schemes: 30
- RCO87 - Organizations cooperating across borders: 3
- PSO4 - Investments in education, training and life-long learning services: 3
- PSR4 Annual users of the supported investments in education, training and life-long learning services: 243
- RCR81 - Completion of joint training schemes: 30
- RCR84 - Organizations cooperating across borders after project completion: 3
Status
The project is currently in implementation. The following progress was achieved:
On behalf of the Lead Partner:
- On September 19, 2025, a contract was signed by the LP for “Organizing events, logistics and communication activities under the project”. An opening press conference of the project was held on September 25, 2025 in the town of Byala, Bulgaria.
- On December 3, 2025, a contract was signed by the LP for “Conducting a sociological survey of special educational needs in the cross-border territory of the Municipality of Byala and Silistra”. The implementation of the sociological survey on the territory of Byala and Silistra was completed on 15.04.2026 and the Joint analytical report of the results of the sociological research on the SEN educational needs and expectations of the cross-border area Byala-Giurgiu-Silistra was drafted.
- A public procurement procedure for the selection of an electric vehicle supplier was launched by the LP on 05.03.2026. The offers were opened on 24.04.2026.
- A public procurement procedure for supply of equipment for working with children with special educational needs was launched by the LP on 05.04.2026. The offers were opened on 24.04.2026.
On behalf of Partner 2:
- The procurement of equipment on behalf of PP2 (included 4 Lots) is ongoing. Contract no. 13/02.02.2026 for "Endowments for classrooms", Lot 4 was awarded. For the other three lots no contracts were awarded due to the non-compliance of the offers and/or the fact that the bidders did not respond to requests for clarification. Thus, the procurement procedure was re-initiated on 29.01.2026. For Lot 2 - "Visual, psychomotor, olfactory, auditory and cognitive stimulation equipment" the contract no. 34/11.03.2026 was signed and for Lot 3 - "Outdoor furniture" the contract no. 35/11.03.2026 was signed. For Lot 1 - "Educational materials for children with special educational needs" no offers have been received and the procurement procedure was re-launched by the partner on 08.04.2026. The contract was signed on 29.05.2026 and the educational materials were received on 08.07.2026.
- The procurement of publicity and event organization services was finalized by PP2 by awarding the contracts no. 3/19.01.2026 for "Event organization services" and no. 4/19.01.2026 for "Services for the development of advertising and information materials".
- The procurement of sociological research services was finalized by PP2 by awarding contract no. 14/02.02.2026. The Order no. 3009 to start the activities was issued on 16.02.2026. The period for carrying out the activities of the contract was of 60 calendar days. The report resulted from the Sociological research on the SEN educational needs and expectations of the cross-border area Giurgiu was elaborated.
- The technical specifications related to the procurement of “Development of specialized methodological resources for SEN for experts, children and parents” foreseen to be purchased within the project were finalized.
On behalf of Partner 3:
- On December 9, 2025 a contract was signed for implementation of repair activities in a resource room and a sensory room in the Nursery in town of Dulovo, Silistra district. The renovation works at the educational facilities on a designated part of the Nursery in the town of Dulovo were executed. The formal verification and reception procedure was executed: Handover Protocol was signed between the selected contractor and the legal representative of PP3 on 23.03.2026.
- On March 4, 2026 a contract was signed for installation of a salt room at the Nursery in the town of Dulovo, Silistra district. A specialized Salt Room, designed for holistic therapy supporting children with Special Educational Needs (SEN) was developed (delivery-acceptance protocol dated 01.04.2026).
- On October 14, 2025 a contract was signed for Supply of equipment for working with children with special educational needs. The specialized Sensory-Integrative Therapy (SIT) and occupational equipment were delivered, unpacked, assembled, and safely installed within the newly separated therapy hall. Delivery and acceptance protocol dated 19.12.2025 was signed.
To mark the finalization of the investment, "Before and After" photo documentation was compiled, a press release was published in the regional media, and social media announcements were disseminated, adhering to the Programme visibility guidelines.