Bulgaria to get EUR 1.2bn in EU just transition funding for 3 regions

Bulgaria is set to receive EUR 1.2 billion (USD 1.3bn) from the Just Transition Fund (JTF) to support the just transition from coal-based energy production in regions of Stara Zagora, Kyustendil and Pernik.

The country will receive the funds after the European Commission adopted Bulgaria's Territorial Just Transition Plans (TJTPs) last week.

The investment will seek to reskill and upskill and create new employment opportunities for more than 15,000 workers in the three regions. It will also see the rehabilitation of 2,190 hectares (5,409 acres) of land to develop industrial areas and renewable energy. The plans further involve energy efficiency measures to help address energy poverty and support for prosumers and the establishment of renewable energy communities.

The approval of the Bulgarian TJTPs completes the endorsement of a total EUR 11 billion of Cohesion Policy funds for Bulgaria in the 2021-2027 period. It also concludes the programming of JTF in the EU, with the focus now being on implementation.

With an EU budget of EUR 19.2 billion, the JTF backs 96 regions in the EU through 70 plans.

(EUR 1 = USD 1.111)

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