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Description
The project proposal is aimed at increasing the capacity of the municipalities of Peshtera, Sadovo, Batak and Strelcha in implementing sustainable policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the expected adverse effects of climate change. The proposed project activities will be implemented in partnership between the 4 municipalities, Association Union for Bulgaria and Supras - Norway. The main project activities: improving the competence of municipal experts in the field of planning measures to mitigate and adapt to climate change; exchange of experience and good practices from the donor country, Norway and their dissemination; assessment of the municipal plans regarding the implementation of the objectives for reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the planned measures for adaptation to climate change; improving skills and expertise at the local level; development and implementation of pilot measures for climate change mitigation and adaptation - construction of photovoltaic installations. The project contributes to the objectives of the Programme: Improved status of the environment in ecosystems and reduced impact of pollution and other human activities and its result: Increased ability of local communities to reduce emissions and adapt to changing climate. Corresponds to the European strategic documents and the strategic documents of the partner municipalities. The project activities are related to the measures and activities envisaged in the Action Plan for Adaptation to Climate Change. The project activities envisage the implementation of four mitigation measures and eight measures for adaptation to climate change. The project implementation multiplies and upgrades implemented projects/initiatives/measures for mitigation of impact and adaptation to climate change, implemented on the territory of the partner municipalities. The results of the implementation can be multiplied.
Summary of project results
The main project purpose is to increase the capacity of the municipalities of Peshtera, Sadovo, Batak and Strelcha in implementing sustainable policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the expected adverse effects of climate change.
Specific goals: increased competence of municipal employees to plan, monitor and implement measures to mitigate and adapt to climate change; implementation of pilot measures in the 4 municipalities to reduce and limit the adverse effects of climate change; increased energy efficiency of 5 municipal buildings (through RES); improved cooperation between organizations from Norway and Bulgaria; exchange of experience and good practices with Norway; analyzed and evaluated municipal documents and measures related to climate; emphasis on the project activities and objectives is given to the actions related to increasing the capacity of the municipalities. Also on the planning and implementation of new strategic steps to introduce good practices to prevent/minimize damage.
Development and implementation of 4 pilot innovative measures for climate change mitigation in the project partner municipalities. These measures contribute to the implementation of the measures set out in the strategic plans of the municipalities
Measure 1: Installation of 2 pcs. photovoltaic installations of municipal buildings in the Municipality of Peshtera with power up to 30kW
Measure 2. Installation of 1 pc. photovoltaic installation of a municipal building in the Municipality of Batak with power up to 30 kW
Measure 3. Installation of 1 pc. photovoltaic installation of a municipal building in the Municipality of Sadovo with power up to 30 kW
Measure 4. Installation of 1 pc. photovoltaic installation of a municipal building in the Municipality of Strelcha with power up to 30 kW
Local stakeholders are also the NGO sector and business, whose efforts are aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to the expected adverse effects of climate change. Last but not least, the population at the local level is the population of the 4 municipalities (41 thousand people), which will benefit from the positive effects of the project implementation, related to the reduction of greenhouse gases and improved environment. An interested party at the regional level is the Regional Council for Development of the South Central Planning Region 2021-2024, on whose territory are the partner municipalities. The Union for Bulgaria Association participates in the composition of non-profit organizations for public benefit activities (environmental organizations and organizations working in the field of education, science and culture) in the RSR of the SRCR. The approach to integrated territorial development of the regions aims to develop a model of partnership and promote cooperation between various actors at local level, both between local authorities and other stakeholders (representatives of business and NGO sector) and between individual administrative units. and public institutions (municipalities, district administrations), which, driven by a common goal, work together to solve common problems (including the fight against climate change) or to exploit the potential for development of a specific territory (including the quality of the environment) .The main target group to which the project proposal is directed are the municipal employees of the municipalities of Peshtera, Batak, Sadovo, Strelcha (20 professionals).
The activities set in the project, related to the improvement of the capacity of the administrations of the municipalities of Peshtera, Batak, Sadovo and Strelcha for adaptation to climate change are and remain the commitment of the local self-government bodies. The latter means that the targeted activities will find their future funding within the municipal budget of each partner municipality. The constructed photovoltaic installations as pilot measures under the project will also remain the property of the municipalities. They will fulfill their obligation to use the tangible assets only for the purposes related to the project and the commitment to operate the assets throughout the sustainability period (5 years from the approval of the final report). Their maintenance and normal operation will find its future funding within the municipal budgets of the municipalities.
An additional guarantee for financial sustainability is the obligation of the partner municipalities to insure the acquired equipment / assets against the usual insurance risks (such as theft, fire, etc.), both during the project implementation and for a period of at least 5 years after approval of the final project report.
Last but not least, the partner municipalities will focus their efforts on the inclusion in their investment programs of funds for the implementation of the developed measures for adaptation to climate change and achieving optimal efficient use of resources in the various sectors of the economy. In addition to their own budgets to provide funds for the development and implementation of measures to adapt to climate change, municipalities will also rely on attracting external funds, working actively to prepare quality projects.
The increased capacity of municipalities also has a significant effect, as it is related to the future planning and implementation of measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the expected adverse effects of climate change and thus improve the status of the environment and reduce the effects of pollution. The results achieved will be long-term and sustainable over time.
Summary of bilateral results
Supras, partner from Norway, is actively involved in the project activities. Its responsibility and commitment are the activities related to the dissemination of good practices and the exchange of experience Supras prepare a report containing good practices from the Norwegian experience in implementing measures to reduce emissions and adapt to climate change applicable to the 4 partner municipalities in the (non-limited) energy, separate waste collection, prudent use of natural resources and environmental protection sectors, as well as activities to reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions and improve quality of atmospheric air. A 3-day working visit to Norway, the city of Kristiansand, is organized. With the assistance of the Norwegian partner Supras, 2 lecturers from Norway are organized, who give 2 half-day presentations of good practices from Norway, applicable to Bulgaria.