In June, a procedure for BGN 200 million was launched to rehabilitate blocks in the regions affected by the energy transition

Nearly BGN 200 million from the "Regional Development" program 2021-2027 will be invested in energy efficiency of multi-family residential buildings in the areas affected by the energy transition - Stara Zagora, Pernik and Kyustendil. The decision was supported at a meeting of the Program Monitoring Committee, chaired by the Deputy Minister of Regional Development and Public Works and head of the Program's Governing Body Yura Vitanova. Committee members approved the methodology and selection criteria to support the sustainable energy renovation of multi-family residential buildings. The initiative is critical to reducing energy consumption and addressing energy poverty in the three coal regions. It is expected that the call for project proposals will be announced by the end of June this year. This was announced by the MRDPW today.

Another over BGN 110 million from the program will be allocated to support workers in sectors affected by the economic transition through training and retraining programs aimed at increasing the adaptability of the workforce and employment prospects. The call for proposals is planned to be announced in the third quarter of 2024.

Sofia Alvesh - director of the Directorate "Building administrative capacity and implementation of programs II" in the European Commission, emphasized the urgent need to implement the territorial plans for a just transition - the funds are directed to economic diversification, sustainable energy solutions, retraining and job creation. She emphasized the importance of partnership as a cornerstone of cohesion policy, encouraging national and local stakeholders to work together to progress the transition. Stakeholders were encouraged to make the most of all available resources to achieve a just transition, including available technical and advisory support.

Deputy Minister Yura Vitanova introduced the members of the committee to the implementation of the 2021-2027 RDP. The methodology and criteria for the selection of integrated territorial investments in 40 city municipalities under the priority for Integrated Urban Development, whose budget is 1.3 billion, have already been approved. BGN, emphasizing how these initiatives are designed to promote socio-economic growth and improve living conditions. The call for proposals for the prioritized integrated territorial investments is due to be announced in July 2024.

Bulgaria can invest a total of 1.2 billion euros from the Just Transition Fund under the "Regional Development" program for the period 2021-2027 under the territorial plans for just transition of the Stara Zagora, Pernik and Kyustendil regions. With the funds provided, the three regions must deal with the impact of the transition to a climate-neutral economy in the coal regions. Under the same program, 50 urban municipalities can access up to 1.5 billion euros from the European Regional Development Fund for integrated urban and regional development.

The committee was preceded by a meeting of the three sub-committees of the Just Transition Fund for Kyustendil, Pernik and Stara Zagora regions. The units will support the effective and successful implementation of the Fund's measures by ensuring the link between the interests and needs of stakeholders and the support opportunities provided at the national level for the three coal regions and the people and workers affected by the transition to climate neutrality. Members are the local stakeholders who are best acquainted with the key priorities and problems of the respective regions in the process of successfully implementing the investments and measures under the Just Transition Fund, as indicated in the Territorial Just Transition Plans approved by the European Commission in end of 2023.