The World Bank will provide a technical assistance to Bulgaria in preparing territorial transition plans in relation with the Green Deal in eight energy-intensive regions of the country – Haskovo, Sliven, Yambol, Varna, Burgas, Lovech, Gabrovo and Targovishte. This is regulated in a decision of the Council of Ministers, taken in Sept. 30th, 2020. The decision approves the conclusion of a contract of BGN 2.5 million for consulting services between the Ministry of Energy and the World Bank . The funds will be provided by the Operational Program “Good Governance” 2014-2020.

Apart from that, funds for the preparation of the territorial plans of the coal regions of Stara Zagora, Pernik and Kyustendil affected by the transition have been provided by the European Commission.
In line with the challenges of implementing the European Green Deal, Member States need to prepare one or more territorial transition plans for the most affected regions of their territory that need support. The plan for each region should present the social, economic and environmental challenges and identify the needs for economic diversification, retraining and environmental recovery, taking into account the specifics. The preparation of the territorial plans is a key condition for receiving support from the Just Transition Fund in relation with the European Green Deal. The fund will focus on the economic diversification of the territories most affected by the climate transition and the retraining and active inclusion of the workforce in them.

Source: Council of Ministers