Energy Poverty: Pomorie Discusses Solutions

Pomorie hosted a three-day international conference dedicated to the problems of energy poverty in urban areas.

The event, held between September 16 and 18, 2025, was organized within the framework of the project "Energy Poverty in Urban Areas", part of the URBACT IV programme (2021-2027), co-funded by the European Union.

In an atmosphere of lively discussion, at the Urban Art Gallery "Dechko Stoev", representatives from various European countries joined forces to find effective solutions to this complex problem.

Participants

Pomorie Municipality, as a project partner, worked closely with organizations and experts from leading European countries.

• EMSV Getafe from Spain
• Māia Municipality from Portugal
• Etterbeek Municipality from Belgium
• Trikala Municipality from Greece
• Klemen Strmšnik from Slovenia – expert from the URBACT programme itself

The cooperation was implemented in the form of an international innovation transfer network called EmPowerIngUs.

Project Goal

The project's goal is complex – to identify and overcome hidden energy poverty in Pomorie, as well as related problems such as transport poverty and the vulnerability of households and small businesses.

To this end, a Local Urban Group has been established in Pomorie, composed of representatives of various stakeholders.

Meetings with citizens, representatives of the regional energy distribution company, and users of the services of the Center for Public Support contributed to the collection of valuable data, which were analyzed during the conference.

Presented Projects

Pomorie Municipality presented its progress in combating energy poverty, detailing a number of projects, including the renovation of residential buildings, the implementation of energy-saving measures in public buildings, the restoration of dilapidated buildings, and the replacement of street lighting.

An expert from EMSV Getafe, the leading partner from Spain, shared practical solutions and experience in improving the urban environment, suggesting methods for optimizing electricity consumption and therefore electricity bills.

The delegation visited various neighborhoods of Pomorie, including the renovation activities of block 25 in the "Svoboda" neighborhood.

Future Plans

The project "Energy Poverty in Urban Areas" is not just an initiative to solve immediate problems.

It focuses on the exchange of experience and knowledge between partners, aiming to create a Development Plan and an Investment Plan (Continuity plan, Investment plan).

These documents are planned to serve as a basis for future, larger-scale projects aimed at improving living conditions in Pomorie Municipality.

The intention is to create a sustainable system guaranteeing access to energy for all residents, regardless of their socio-economic status.