Bulgaria will receive 1.2 billion euros after the European Commission approved today its territorial plans for a just transition.
The Just Transition Fund (JTF) will support the creation of new jobs and economic activities for a just climate transition in the districts of Stara Zagora, Kyustendil, and Pernik, which face the greatest socio-economic challenges in the context of coal phase-out and reducing carbon emissions. Through the fund, Bulgaria will also be helped to achieve the EU's climate and energy goals by 2030, as well as a climate-neutral economy by 2050, the Commission announced.
With the territorial plans for a just transition adopted today, the approval of investments in the total amount of 11 billion euros under the cohesion policy (2021-2027) in support of a more competitive, more cohesive, and more ecological Bulgaria, without neglecting anyone.
The FSP will support the transition from coal-fired power generation, as well as the retraining, upskilling, and creation of new employment opportunities for over 15,000 workers in the three areas.
2,190 hectares of land will be rehabilitated to develop industrial zones and build capacities for renewable energy sources. Residential energy efficiency measures targeting energy-poor households and vulnerable consumers will help tackle energy poverty.
Consumers who are producers will also be supported, as will the creation of renewable energy communities. In this way, in addition to improving living conditions, energy consumption, electricity bills, and greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced.
To ensure that the FSP meets the needs on the ground, with the support of the fund, local sub-committees will be established in each of the three Bulgarian regions, in which a wide range of stakeholders will directly participate to ensure local representation and participation in the management of FSP.
A total of 96 regions from all EU member states receive support from the fund within 70 plans. After the Bulgarian Territorial Just Transition Plans have been approved, the programming of the FSP in the EU has ended and efforts are now focused on implementation. /BGNES
