The support for the development and resilience of Bulgarian regions highlighted during key meetings

Following the adoption of the Territorial Just Transition Plans on 20 December 2023, Bulgaria can invest EUR 1,2 billion from the Just Transition Fund under the 2021-2027 Programme Development of Regions to address the impact of the transition to a climate-neutral economy in its most affected coal regions. Under the same programme, 50 urban municipalities can access EUR 1,5 billion from the European Regional Development Fund for integrated urban and regional development.

On 13 May, the three Just Transition Fund subcommittees for the regions of Kyustendil, Pernik, and Stara Zagora have met for the first time for a joint meeting held online. The three local Just Transition subcommittees were established to support the effective and successful implementation of the Just Transition Fund measures by ensuring the link between the interests and needs of the stakeholders and the support opportunities provided at national level for the three coal regions and affected people and workers by the transition to climate neutrality. The members are the local stakeholders most familiar with the key priorities and issues of the respective regions in the process of successful implementation of investments and measures under the Just Transition Fund, as set out in the Territorial Just Transition Plans approved by the European Commission at the end of 2023.

The event was attended by Ms. Sofia Alves, Director of the Directorate for Administrative Capacity Building and Programmes Implementation II at the European Commission. She highlighted the pressing need to implement the Territorial Just Transition Plans, with funds directed towards economic diversification, sustainable energy solutions, reskilling and job creation. Sofia Alves also stressed the importance of partnership as a cornerstone of cohesion policy, encouraging national and local stakeholders to work together in driving the transition forward. Stakeholders were prompted to make the most of all the resources at hand to achieve a just transition, including available technical and advisory support.

The members of the JTF subcommittees reviewed the upcoming calls for proposals in the 2024 Indicative Annual Work Programme, including the procedures for energy efficiency in residential buildings and upskilling and reskilling of directly affected workers in the coal sector. Relevant proposals for amendments in the selection criteria were made.  

On May 14, the Monitoring Committee of the Programme Development of Regions 2021-2027 held its 5^th meeting with a focus on advancing regional initiatives and sustainability goals. The session opened with a speech by the Deputy Minister of Regional Development and Public Works Yura Vitanova and continued with a detailed review of current and future investments under the programme.

Key discussions included:

• Integrated urban development (total amount in BGN 1 300 000 000 and EUR 664 679 446, European Regional Development Fund and national co-financing): the methodology and criteria for the selection of integrated territorial investments in 40 urban municipalities was approved, focusing on the way these initiatives are designed to promote socio-economic growth and improve living conditions. The call for proposals is planned to be launched in July 2024.

• Sustainable energy renovation (total amount in BGN 196 415 454 and EUR 100 425 627, Just Transition Fund and national co-financing): the Monitoring Committee unanimously approved the methodology and the selection criteria for supporting sustainable energy renovations in multi-family residential buildings, an initiative that is crucial for reducing energy consumption and tackling energy poverty across the three coal regions (Stara Zagora, Kyustendil and Pernik). The proposals for amendments to the criteria made during the subcommittee meeting were duly discussed and voted on. The call for proposals is planned to be launched by the end of June 2024.

• Support for the affected sectors (total amount in BGN 110 217 684 and EUR 56 353 407, Just Transition Fund and national co-financing): the methodology and the selection criteria for supporting workers in sectors affected by the transition were discussed, focusing on training and requalification programs aimed at increasing the adaptability of the workforce and employment prospects, and were adopted unanimously. The proposals for amendments in the criteria made during the subcommittee meeting were duly discussed and voted on. The call for proposals is planned to be launched in the third quarter of 2024.

• Update of the annual work programme: amendments to the Indicative Annual Work Programme for 2024 were proposed, reflecting the flexibility of the programme to adapt to emerging needs in order to maximise the impact of EU funding in the Bulgarian regions.

The meeting highlighted the strategic focus of the programme not only on economic growth, but also on creating resilient and sustainable communities that are well-equipped to face the challenges of modern urban and environmental requirements. 

More information on the Programme Development of Regions 2021-2027 and the Just Transition Fund can be found on the website of the programme – Начало - Програма "Развитие на регионите" 2021-2027 (bgregio.eu)