Four municipalities from the Southwest with measures to combat climate change

With a budget of nearly BGN 800,000, the Municipality of Blagoevgrad in partnership with the municipalities of Simitli, Kocherinovo and Boboshevo and the International Association for the Development of Norway implemented the project “Implementation of measures for successful adaptation to climate change” within 30 months.It is related to ecology and will lead to the reduction of greenhouse gases, as well as a number of other measures for cleaner and greener cities.

In the four municipalities, 5 innovative measures for mitigation and adaptation to climate change have been implemented. By installing solar hot water systems in selected 21 municipal buildings – kindergartens and social institutions on the territory of the municipalities of Blagoevgrad and Simitli – up to 70% of hot water consumption will be provided with energy from the sun for over 1,600 users in these buildings.With the pilot introduction of home composting in 1,200 households in the municipalities of Kocherinovo and Boboshevo, conditions have been created to prevent the generation of biodegradable waste from households. All the listed measures are expected to lead to a serious reduction of the carbon footprint on the environment from the activities that are carried out in the public sector and by the residents in the settlements.

Through the exchange of experience and good practices with the partner from the Norwegian side, the four Bulgarian municipalities had a real opportunity to study successfully implemented models in the field of energy, waste management and green urban systems with a proven effect, to adapt and apply at the local level.

At the end, 20 experts visited Oslo to exchange experience, impressed by a school built from natural materials and one of the first positive energy buildings in Norway.