The National Climate Transformation Strategy provides a large-scale financial instrument worth 2.49 billion euros, which will be distributed among energy-poor Bulgarian communities in the next six years. The main goal of this ambitious project is to compensate for the expected increase in costs associated with the introduction of the new Emissions Trading Scheme.
Leading experts from scientific circles, including Assoc. Prof. Dr. Teodora Peneva from the Institute for Economic Research at BAS, emphasize the complex nature of the financial intervention. According to her analysis, about 77% of the planned funds will be directed towards decarbonization of the buildings and transport sectors, while only 13% are allocated for direct support to affected households.
The detailed plan includes large-scale investment directions in the field of energy efficiency and mobility. In the buildings sector, four key interventions are planned: renovation of about 2,000 building sites, creation of energy communities, introduction of a "Warm Home" program for single-family houses, and phased replacement of household appliances with electric alternatives.
The transport component covers five specific measures with a total financial resource of 713 million leva. These include expanding transport infrastructure, introducing 1,325 electric vehicles, building charging infrastructure in 265 municipalities, supporting micro-enterprises, and creating mobile health cabinets.
Independent analysts, however, express serious concerns about the mechanisms for financial resource distribution. Assoc. Prof. Peneva highlights the risk of subjective beneficiary selection, noting that currently, out of 265 municipalities, not a single energy renovation project has been implemented in 120.
Statistical data shows that around 900,000 households are potentially threatened by energy poverty, and an additional 100,000 will be directly affected by the new scheme. Civic organizations are calling for a more transparent and decentralized approach to fund administration.
Experts recommend urgently developing clear criteria and mechanisms to ensure fair distribution of financial resources. A key focus is the need to include non-governmental organizations and expand the circle of potential implementers beyond municipal administration.
The Social Climate Plan is an important tool for gradual transformation of the Bulgarian economy towards a more sustainable and low-emission model that simultaneously protects the interests of vulnerable groups and stimulates the green transition.