The Ministry of Environment and Water (MOEW) set ambitious goals to improve communication between beneficiaries and the Managing Authority. During the Tenth Meeting of the Monitoring Committee, Minister Manol Genov emphasized the need for flexible approaches in implementing the Environment Program 2021-2027.
During the forum, significant changes were adopted in the Indicative Annual Work Program (IAWP) in three priority areas: "Water", "Biodiversity", and "Risk and Climate Change". The changes are related to refining eligible activities, beneficiaries, and updating the timelines for announcing procedures.
Experts approved methodologies and evaluation criteria for three procedures in the "Biodiversity" sector. The projects are focused on improving the conservation status of habitats, protecting endangered species, and promoting good ecological practices. The total financial resource for these initiatives amounts to over 91 million leva.
Additionally, a methodology for the procedure "Green Measures in Urban Environment (5)" with a budget of around 3.5 million leva was approved. Veliko Tarnovo Municipality was designated as a target beneficiary due to deteriorated air quality. The planned activities include building green infrastructure and irrigation systems to reduce secondary dust dispersion.
During the meeting, detailed data on the progress of operational programs were presented. In the period 2014-2020, 371 contracts were signed with a total budget of 3.26 billion leva, with payments to beneficiaries reaching 3.18 billion leva.
Currently, 112 projects worth around 2.4 billion leva are being implemented under the Environment Program 2021-2027, which represents 66.4% of the program budget. As an additional highlight, Minister Genov and the Mayor of Sofia, Vasil Terziev, signed a contract for green infrastructure at the end of April.
The MOEW leadership demonstrated a clear strategy for maximally effective absorption of European environmental funds through a flexible approach and precise planning.