Minister Koritarova: The next two years will be key for investments in energy efficiency of the housing stock in our country

The next two years will be key for the implementation of energy efficiency investments in the residential, public, administrative and business building stock in Bulgaria with funds from the National Plan for Recovery and Sustainability and European programs. Our ambition is for more and more buildings to acquire energy class "B" and to achieve a minimum of 30% energy savings. This was stated by the Minister of Regional Development and Public Works, Eng. Violeta Koritarova. Together with the Minister of the Environment and Waters, Petar Dimitrov, and the Ambassador of France to our country, Joel Meyer, launched the fifth edition of the ECOCOMMUNITY competition. The initiative aims to recognize the efforts of Bulgarian municipalities to improve the quality of life by promoting sustainable urban development. It is organized by the Embassy of France and the French Institute in Bulgaria, together with the National Association of Municipalities in the Republic of Bulgaria, Ecological Association "For the Earth", EnEffect and the Association of Ecologists from Municipalities in Bulgaria.

Minister Koritarova also informed that there are also upcoming investments in the modernization of urban mobility, financed under the Regional Development Program 2021-2027. In addition to the renovation of road infrastructure, the municipalities will develop and implement plans for urban mobility management, introduction of intelligent transport systems, digitization of transport, replacement of public transport rolling stock with environmentally friendly charging infrastructure, etc.

She emphasized the great importance of the "Ecocommunity" initiative and congratulated the ambassador of France in Bulgaria for the resumption of the competition. For the fifth time, MRRD will support the "Energy Efficiency" and "Sustainable Urban Mobility" categories. "We are developing more and more policies and measures focused on preventing the consequences of climate change and raising people's living standards. "One of our main priorities is to improve the appearance of the municipalities through our programs," the regional minister also said. And he noted the role of the joint initiative to upgrade the long-standing Bulgarian-French partnership and the opportunity to share good practices through the various platforms. "I am convinced that we will achieve important effects aimed at realizing a better, more sustainable living environment by promoting environmental protection and sparing natural resources." This will motivate us to make our settlements more beautiful and more sustainable by applying the most modern achievements in the field of construction and urban planning," the minister also pointed out. She pointed out that more and more Bulgarian municipalities are engaged in the topic of energy efficiency and ecology, and our country is successfully following the example that many countries in Europe apply to promote better management of water, waste, energy efficiency and sustainable urban mobility. "Achieving the global goals for the sustainable management of all natural resources is only possible through the active participation of local communities and the state administration, therefore we are making joint efforts to successfully implement all the planned programs. The ecological transition is a top priority for both Bulgaria and France. ECOCOMMUNITY is a good opportunity for the exchange of good practices between our two countries, which deserve to be popularized, thus encouraging the dialogue between administrations, citizens, economies, in order to find the best solutions", Minister Koritrarova also said.

The competition seeks to highlight the application of good practices at the local level for sustainable urban development. It also aims to promote dialogue between administrations, citizens and economic operators to identify solutions for responsible resource management and environmental protection. To participate in the competition, municipalities must present their sustainable policies in one of 3 categories: "Waste and Recycling", "Sustainable Mobility" and "Energy and Emissions". The "EcoMunicipality" competition is open to all municipalities in Bulgaria, divided into 2 categories - with over 40,000 and under 40,000 inhabitants.

The deadline for submitting applications is October 10, 2024.

The prize for all laureates this year is a working visit to France, with expenses covered by the organizers. The winning municipalities will visit innovative sites in French cities regarding urban mobility, waste valorization and energy transition. In September and October 2024, within the framework of the competition, seminars on municipal environmental policies will be organized and a series of environmental films will be screened, open to all with free entry.