According Art. 59 of EC Regulation 1083/2006, the Managing Authority is an authority, or public or private national, regional or local body designated by the Member State to manage an operational programme.

The functions of the Managing Authority are outlined in Art. 60 of EC Regulation 1083/2006. In line with this article, the Managing Authority is responsible for managing and implementing the operational program efficiently, effectively and correctly in accordance with the sound financial management .

The Strategy for Participation of the Republic of Bulgaria in the Structural Funds and the Cohesion Fund of the European Union (Decision of the Council of Ministers № 312/2002 for its adoption), Chapter 21 "Regional Policy and Coordination of Structural Instruments" (CONF-BG 56/01) and the Common Position of EU (CONF-BG 80/01), determine the Managing Authorities for the operational programs for the programming period 2007-2013. Under these documents and with an Ordinance of the Council of Ministers N965/16.12.2005, the European Funds for Competitiveness Directorate within the Ministry of Economy and Energy has been appointed Managing Authority of Operational Program "Development of the Competitiveness of the Bulgarian Economy".