The Ministry of Environment and Water announced this year's competition for the most original and environmentally aware project on the theme "I love nature and I participate", which is funded by the EMEPA and has been successfully held for 20 years with wide public interest within the National Campaign "Clean Environment". Eligible beneficiaries are municipalities, cities, smaller settlements, schools, kindergartens, Personal Development Support Centres and United Children’s Complexes.

At its meeting, the Management Board of the EMEPA agreed to allocate funds of up to BGN 3 500 000 for the competition. The funds for the upcoming campaign will be distributed as follows:

• For projects by municipalities and settlements up to 15 000 BGN VAT included per project, for the total amount of 2 000 000 BGN;
• For projects by schools, kindergartens, Personal Development Support Centres, and United Children’s Complexes up to 7 500 BGN VAT included per project, for the total amount of 1 500 000 BGN.

The deadline for the implementation of the activities for approved projects is the end of October 2024 for schools, kindergartens, Personal Development Support Centres, and United Children’s Complexes, and for municipalities and settlements - until the end of November 2024.

The implementation of the projects under the National Campaign “Clean Environment” creates a direct positive impact on the environment and a positive attitude among people for the preservation of natural resources. With the voluntary work of citizens, cleared areas are reforested, recreational areas are created or restored, children’s and sports facilities are repaired, and the ecological and aesthetic environment is improved. The campaign effectively contributes to a more responsible and long-lasting attitude of young people towards environmental protection by engaging them in activities that increase environmental awareness and culture. As a result of the campaign implementation over the years, thousands of projects have been implemented throughout the country.

The announcements for the competition, including the participation criteria, are published below and on the MOEW website (https://www.moew.government.bg/bg/startira-nacionalnata-kampaniya-chista-okolna-sreda-za-2024-g/) and EMEPA website (www.pudoos.bg).

Schools, kindergartens, Personal Development Support Centres, and United Children’s Complexes have deadline until 23 February 2024 to submit their project proposals, and municipalities and settlements - until 29 February 2024.

A table with all received project applications will be published by 15 March 2024 and the results of the ranking will be announced by 15 April 2024 on the website of the EMEPA in the campaign section.

Projects of applicants that received funding in the National Campaign "Clean Environment" in 2022 and 2023 will not be included in the ranking.