The Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works allocates another nearly BGN 13 million from the OP “Regions in Growth” 2014-2020 for renovation of residential and public buildings in 28 small municipalities

Senior experts from the European Commission inspected the OPRG projects in the municipality of Plovdiv

Additional BGN 13 million will be allocated by the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works through the Operational Programme “Regions in Growth” 2014-2020 for energy efficiency of multifamily residential and public buildings in the 28 small municipal centres in the country, beneficiaries of the programme under the measure “Energy efficiency in peripheral areas”. This was decided by the Monitoring Committee of the European Programme, which held its 13th meeting in Plovdiv. The forum is chaired by the Deputy Minister of Regional Development and Public Works and Head of the Managing Authority of the OPRG Denitsa Nikolova in the presence of representatives of the European Commission, mayors, representatives of government agencies, NGOs and others. 

Deputy Minister Nikolova clarified that the municipalities will be able to apply with projects by the end of the year, and the amount may be increased, because the savings and reserves will be updated immediately before the announcement of the call for project proposals.  Measures will be financed to increase the energy efficiency of buildings, with the aim of achieving 60% energy savings, reducing heating costs, renovating the facades of buildings and increasing the service life, etc. The measure will allow for more renovated buildings in Bulgaria, as well as for balanced regional development between smaller and larger municipalities. The following can apply for funds under it: Botevgrad, Berkovitsa, Belogradchik, General Toshevo, Devin, Elhovo, Zlatograd, Ivaylovgrad, Krumovgrad, Kozloduy, Karnobat, Mezdra, Malko Tarnovo, Nikopol, Novi Pazar, Nova Zagora, Pomorie, Popovo, Peshtera, Provadia, Razlog, Sandanski, Svilengrad, Samokov, Sevlievo, Troyan, Tutrakan and Cherven Bryag. We remind that at the beginning of the year another nearly BGN 33 million in resources were allocated under the programme for 32 projects to 19 medium and small municipalities, again in support of energy efficiency measures.

It was also decided that the 39 large municipalities, beneficiaries of the programme, will use the saved resources to finance new projects or to reduce their own contribution to the projects.  With a decision of the committee, the term in which the municipalities can apply with projects under the measures for cultural infrastructure and renovation of student dormitories was extended. The projects can be submitted until 31.12.2020, and the goal is to achieve maximum effects from the implemented projects by giving them a sufficient period for preparation.

Meanwhile, within the Monitoring Committee, experts from the European Commission, headed by Aurelio Cecilio - Head of Department in the Directorate General for Regional and Urban Policy at the EC, inspected some of the projects of the Municipality of Plovdiv, funded by the Operational Programme “Regions in Growth ”2014-2020 and held a meeting with the mayor of the municipality Ivan Totev. The representatives of the European Commission were impressed by the established centre for social protection of women who are victims of domestic violence, which is housed in a building of the Bulgarian Red Cross. Under the project “Improvement of the social infrastructure in the municipality of Plovdiv”, with a little over BGN 2 million the whole building was renovated and a separate centre for temporary accommodation of women and children at risk with a capacity of 17 people was established. In it, endangered women from the municipality receive protection close to the family environment within 6 months. Thanks to the investment, the yard has been renovated and modernised.

The Commission also inspected part of the ongoing project to improve the urban environment in Plovdiv, which is funded by over BGN 24.1 million. From the OPRG. The large-scale task includes renovation of streets and squares, sidewalks, new urban furniture, energy-saving street lighting, landscaping, modernisation of inter-block spaces, construction of sports and children’s playgrounds, automated irrigation systems and more. The experts visited the newly built recreation area on the southern bank of the Maritsa River, where there are modern alleys with new urban furniture, children’s and sports facilities, LED lighting, new landscaping, sports and playgrounds and more.

The Commission also got acquainted with the project for the modernisation of the University of Food Technology in Plovdiv, which was presented to them by the Vice-Rector for Design and Information Prof. Dr. Sc. Eng. Nikolai Menkov. Nearly BGN 3 million from the OPRG have been invested in its renovation. A modern heating system with natural gas has been built, buildings have been renovated and a modern conference hall has been set up. The measures and investments were highly praised.