"There is no shortage of funds to ensure a safe transition." This was commented by Gennady Kondarev, senior associate for the region of Central and Eastern Europe at E3G – an organization working to achieve a safe climate future. He took part in Empowerment Webinar, organized by "Brand Media Bulgaria", which emphasizes the opportunities for European funding, the experience of entrepreneurs and the successful ways of transforming the coal regions.
He gave an example of the Recovery and Resilience Plan, which pledges 136 billion euros of European funding for the smooth and secure energy transition alone.
"Apart from that, other funding is set aside in the Just Transition Fund, in the Modernization Fund, in a number of European programs," he pointed out.
According to Kondarev, the biggest priority for Bulgaria should be not to lose those funds that are available.
"Efforts should be aimed at solving energy poverty problems and supporting those who are most vulnerable - the energy poor," he added.
Kondarev believes that not enough attention is paid to small and medium-sized enterprises, and in many other European countries these are the groups that can change perceptions about the energy transition.
"What we will encounter difficulties with is to introduce smart electricity systems", predicts Gennadiy Kondarev.
He admitted that it is difficult for small and medium-sized enterprises to access European funding – sometimes it is a question of better integration, other times more innovation.
"Society perceives the Green Deal as the pouring of money, which, however, is lost somewhere and not invested in energy efficiency," he pointed out.
According to him, investors should be involved to change the perception of the loss of funds and to ensure compensation for those working in the affected areas.
Are we ready for the transition?
"They lost a lot of time from 2020 until now. We are not ready for transition", admitted Kristina Lazarova, co-founder and representative of the platform brown to green for the transition to a low-carbon economy.
She was on the board of directors of TPP "Bobov Dol" and Executive Director of EGGS Ltd., an environmental consulting company.
According to her, it is important to have a sustainable development of the coal-independent regions. She also emphasized the need for an energy strategy.
"Bulgaria must have an energy strategy at all costs. Without her, we are blind", Lazarova is categorical.
According to her, green public procurement is also needed, as well as a transformation not only in the energy sector, but also in regulations.
25 billion euros are earmarked for 96 regions
"€25 billion is earmarked for 96 regions that have proven to be in a more difficult situation than the others on their way to becoming green. Bulgaria is one of the underdeveloped regions, but our philosophy is not to allow any region to fall behind".
This was stated during the webinar by Anes Monfre, head of the cohesion policy department in Bulgaria, Hungary, and Slovenia in the Directorate General "Regional and Urban Policy" of the European Commission.
According to her, the most problematic region in Bulgaria is Stara Zagora, but there are also difficulties in Pernik and Kyustendil.
"The Eurofunds are available, they should finance the negative consequences. In the territorial plans for the three Bulgarian regions by 2030, an additional 12 new jobs should be created in Stara Zagora, 000 in Kyustendil, and 2200 for Pernik," she added.
Annes Monfre paid particular attention to the timing of public funding:
"Bulgaria must hurry up with the projects in order not to miss the deadlines. The transition to a green economy is extremely difficult for the country," she explained.