The results from the implementation of Operational Program "Environment" 2014-2020 were presented.

"Bulgaria is active in legislative and political initiatives to preserve high standards in the environment and quality of life, and this is largely due to the successful implementation of the Cohesion Policy of the European Union in the country. We are seeing the results of successful implementation of this policy, which strongly recognizes the links between resource efficiency, systems resilience, and human well-being." This was said by the Deputy Minister of Environment and Water Reneta Koleva during the final information event, which presented the results from the implementation of the Operational Program "Environment" (OPE) 2014-2020 on June 5 - World Environment Day. Reneta Koleva reminded that: "The earth does not belong to us, we borrowed it from our children", and sent a message to everyone to love nature and be responsible in taking care of it.

The head of the program's managing body Galina Simeonova presented the successful implementation of the OPE projects - in the last seven years 372 projects with a total value of 3.2 billion BGN have been implemented. "We have modernized public transport - 385 electric trams, trolleys and buses are at the disposal of citizens for a more ecological, comfortable and safe journey in 10 Bulgarian municipalities", said Galina Simeonova. Over 22000 households in the country have already chosen ecological heating by replacing their heating appliances. The number of households with modern, environmentally friendly heating will reach over 80000 in the next two years.

Under the program, 1800 km of new water supply infrastructure were built, and 1 600 000 residents have access to improved water supply. With funds under the program, 21 wastewater treatment plants were newly built and modernized. Eighty-seven municipal landfills on an area of ​​over 250 hectares have been closed and recultivated. Thanks to the built waste processing plants, OPE reports a result of 470 000 tons less landfilled waste per year.

Five million trees were planted, giving new life to forests in Bulgaria. During the period 2014-2020, OPE supported measures to improve the environmental protection status of animal species and habitats on an area of ​​2 200 000 hectares.

The program supported the construction of the BG-ALERT system, which is to inform everyone in the country in case of dangerous events. Six population training centers for adequate response to floods have been built. "We continue to work - with a focus on the quality of life, with care for people's health, with a thought for nature and for the generations after us," concluded Simeonova.

"I am proud of the results of our joint efforts over the years, which brought concrete results for the people of Bulgaria. Since 2007, we have provided cleaner drinking water to 2.6 million people in the country. With the reclamation of a total of 125 municipal landfills, we reduced landfilled waste by 750 000 tons per year,” said Agnes Monfre, head of the department "Bulgaria, Hungary and Slovenia" at the European Commission.

The results of the implemented ecological projects can be seen in the exhibition "Residents - in search of a better environment", located in front of the "Cabana" cinema in the garden of the National Palace of Culture. On Wednesday, an Environment Day celebration was also organized there with the participation of Dara, Stefan Valdobrev, and the Usual Suspects.