World Bank and Bulgaria Partner to Strengthen Data Governance and Create Data Spaces

The World Bank and the Government of Bulgaria have a longstanding partnership on e-Government and digital transformation reforms.

The World Bank announced today that it will provide analytical and advisory support to the Bulgarian Ministry of e-Government to enhance the strategic, organizational, and technical foundations for data governance and data spaces. This collaboration aims to align Bulgaria with the European Union’s data strategy, which focuses on increasing data availability for economic and societal use while ensuring compliance with EU privacy, data protection, and competition regulations.

Key Aspects of the Agreement

The agreement, signed by Valentin Mundrov, Minister of e-Government, and Lasse Melgaard, World Bank Resident Representative for Bulgaria, Czechia, and Slovakia, outlines the provision of Reimbursable Advisory Services for building a comprehensive framework for data governance and data spaces in Bulgaria. This initiative is crucial for Bulgaria to contribute to the EU’s ambition of becoming a global leader in a data-driven society and economy.

EU Data Strategy and Common Data Spaces

Data governance and data spaces are integral to the EU Strategy for data. A data space is a secure environment where participants share high-value data under common rules for exchange, ensuring maximum security and fostering innovation and private sector growth. The EU strategy envisions creating 14 Common European Data Spaces across sectors such as agriculture, energy, finance, health, and the green deal, supported by the Data Governance Act and the Data Act to establish a robust legal framework for data governance and sharing.

Statements from Key Officials

“Data is an essential resource for economic growth, competitiveness, innovation, job creation, and development,” said Lasse Melgaard, the World Bank’s Resident Representative for Bulgaria, Czechia, and Slovakia. “Knowledge is one of the World Bank’s most valuable resources, and we are honored to bring our global expertise to Bulgaria with the goal of building a modern, digitally enabled government that reaps the benefits of new digital technologies and improves efficiency by delivering better services for citizens and businesses.”

Scope of the Project

Over the next 19 months, a team of World Bank experts will work closely with the Bulgarian Ministry of e-Government to establish the strategic, organizational, and technical foundations for data governance and data spaces. The project includes:

Conducting an assessment of data governance, data availability, and data quality in the public administration.

Providing recommendations for a National Data Strategy and a National Data Governance Framework in compliance with EU legislation.

Conducting a feasibility assessment of potential data spaces in strategic sectors in Bulgaria.

Background on Reimbursable Advisory Services

Reimbursable Advisory Services are a special World Bank instrument offered to middle- and high-income countries. Under these programs, the World Bank collaborates with countries at their request, offering advisory services, analytical services, and implementation support. The Bank is reimbursed for the costs of delivering these advisory services.

Ongoing Partnership

The World Bank and the Government of Bulgaria have a longstanding partnership on e-Government and digital transformation reforms. Building upon this partnership, the current project aims to set a robust foundation for data governance and data spaces, thereby enabling Bulgaria to leverage new digital technologies for better service delivery to citizens and businesses.

By strengthening its data governance framework, Bulgaria is poised to become a significant player in the EU's data-driven economy, ensuring that its data practices meet the highest standards of security, privacy, and efficiency.