site.btaEUR 1.1 Bln from Just Transition Fund to Be Used for Programme for Regions

Over EUR 1.1 billion from the EU Just Transition Fund will be used for the Programme for the Regions, Angelina Boneva of the Regional Development and Public Works Ministry said on Monday. She was speaking at a roundtable discussion on "Using the Potential for a Green Economic Transformation in Bulgaria's Coal Regions", hosted by the Centre for the Study of Democracy.

This past summer, Bulgaria sent early versions of the relevant plans to Brussels, Boneva said.

She identified five factors for a just green transition of EU regions which still rely on fossil fuels and high-emission industries. The first factor is expertise, which is not a problem for Bulgaria. Second, time. Until 2038, there are several steps which the country can identify and plan reasonably. The European Commission has provided enough funding which can be invested if Sofia has a clear plan, Boneva said.

Two of the five factors are missing, she noted. These are mutual confidence and fairness. "We need a very strong democratic procedure for drafting and approving these plans, which should involve all interested persons," Boneva said.