Having fought on the losing side in both World Wars, Bulgaria fell within the Soviet sphere of influence and became a People’s Republic in 1946. Communist domination ended in 1990, when Bulgaria held its first multiparty election since World War II and began the contentious process of moving toward political democracy and a market economy.

Past projects include:

Bulgaria: Land and Real Estate Mortgages Reform Assessment and Follow-On Review

World Bank.

This project included reviewing the institutional and legal framework for mortgages, organizing stakeholder discussions, and conducting an assessment as to the legal, financial, economic, institutional, and political feasibility for mortgage law reform. Extensive fieldwork was conducted in both rural and urban areas and included interviews with farmers, bankers, real estate brokers, lawyers, banking, and real estate associations. A paper, written for the World Bank, was presented at the stakeholder workshops held in Sofia, Plovdiv, and Varna. The paper was published by Landesa. September 2000 to May 2001.

Bulgaria: Land Mortgages Legal Review and Recommendations

World Bank.

Landesa attorneys provided legal analysis and recommendations focusing on rural finance and agricultural land mortgages in Bulgaria. March to June 2000.

Bulgaria: Land Mortgages Fieldwork, Research, and Recommendations

World Bank.

Landesa conducted fieldwork and issued a report, recommendations, and held an in-country workshop focusing on rural finance and agricultural land mortgages. February to June 1999.