The final version of the Program “Environment” for the next 7 years was approved by the members of the working group at a meeting last Friday. It is now to be presented successively to the Council of Ministers and the European Commission for approval.

In the new Program “Environment” 2021-2027 (OPE 2021-2027), greener and more sustainable goals are established. This opinion was shared by the partners in the working group, who participated with remarks and opinions in the development of the document.

The financial framework of the OPE 2021-2027 is 1,531,590,093 EUR. The process of developing OPE 2021-2027 lasted 2 years within the framework of the working group in partnership with regional and local authorities, socio-economic partners, non-governmental organizations, the academic community, and various stakeholders. Two public consultations were held with the general public via the websites www.eufunds.bg, www.moew.government.bg, and www.strategy.bg.

The new programming period is a natural continuation of the Operational Program “Environment” for the periods 2007-2013 and 2014-2020. The objectives of OPE 2021-2027 continue to be related to the improvement of the water supply infrastructure and the air quality, environmentally friendly waste management and conservation of our rich biodiversity. Measures to prevent and manage the risk of floods, landslides, and forest fires are included in the “Risk and Climate Change” priority.

Over 715 million EUR (1,399.23 million BGN) will be spent on expanding and modernizing the water and sanitation infrastructure for the consolidated areas of Veliko Tarnovo, Gabrovo, Pleven, Sofia-city, Sofia-region, Targovishte, Haskovo and Dobrich. Among the permissible measures for Priority 1 “Water” is the development of Regional pre-feasibility studies for the regions of Blagoevgrad, Kyustendil, Lovech, Montana, Pazardzhik, and Razgrad after their consolidation.

Over 312 million EUR (611.49 million BGN) are the funds under Priority 2 “Waste” to promote the transition to a circular economy with an efficient use of resources. Systems for separate collection and recycling of biodegradable waste, centers for separate collection and preparation for reuse and repair, reclamation of landfills, information and explanatory campaigns, etc. will be financed.

Under Priority 3 “Biological diversity”, the measures for the development of the “Natura 2000” network will continue, as well as for the protection and restoration of ecosystems outside the network. The planned budget for this priority is 132.47 million EUR (259.09 million BGN).

The envisaged eligible measures under Priority 4 “Risk and Climate Change” include capacity to fight forest fires, the development of digital models, analyzes and forecasts in relation to climate change and others.

The reduction of all forms of air pollution remains a top priority in the new Program “Environment” 2021-2027. More than 395 million euros (773.47 million BGN) will be directed to measures to reduce harmful emissions from domestic heating and transport, to deal with secondary dust, improve the monitoring of air quality, as well as to create a national network of air quality experts.

Program “Environment” 2021-2027 pays special attention to integrated territorial investments, as well as to the “community-led local development” approach. A total of 6.99 million euros have been allocated for it, with priority “Waste” for information and explanatory activities, and priority “Biodiversity” - for information activities and training, change in attitudes, seminars, forums, etc.

On June 30, 2022, the Interdepartmental Commission (a specialized body of the High Expert Environmental Council under the Minister of Environment and Water) approved the report on the environmental assessment of the Program “Environment” 2021-2027, which reflects the results from consultations with the public, stakeholders, and the EC.

The Program “Environment” is the only “green” program that provides an opportunity to use European funds to realize significant investments for environmental protection, said the head of the Managing Authority of the Operational Program “Environment” 2014-2020 Galina Simeonova . According to her, the new program will contribute to a better quality of the environment in which we live.

You can see more information about the program HERE.