Abstract:

The migration of historical records from a classical media – such as paper, to digital format, is among the leading activities of the archives in Bulgaria. More generally, it can be argued that almost every institution of the so-called GLAM sector in the country has its own strategy and plan for digitization. A share of their budget is earmarked just for that activity. Digital centers have been created, annual plans are being worked on and quantitative and qualitative goals are being pursued. Departments and even entire directorates that specialise in digitization have been established, and their staff is involved mainly in this activity.

This report however will focus on the possibilities in Bulgaria to utilise funding for digitization, specifically of archival materials, outside the funds provided in the annual budgets of the institutions. In this respect, there are several programmes that can be mentioned that have funded and/or are currently funding project proposals related to digitization. Such investments will be presented here, mostly funded by foreign capital, as well as those that are supported by funds from the Bulgarian state budget. The report aims to present only several programmes and projects funded so far. In Bulgaria such information is not collected, and there is no unified strategy for the digitization of old records, manuscripts, books, newspapers, which can be summarised and characterised as archival materials.

Specific opportunities for obtaining funds and certain projects will be presented and analysed, which can provide a general idea and insight on how far the Bulgarian institutions have progressed in this direction and what lies ahead.

Keywords:

Programmes supporting digitization, project financing, Bulgaria, historical records.