The Bulgarian Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works will secure over 1 billion euros from the Just Transition Fund for investment in Bulgaria’s coal regions: Pernik (western Bulgaria), Kyustendil (southwestern Bulgaria), and Stara Zagora (southern Bulgaria) in 2025.
This funding will support eight initiatives under Priority 4, Just Transition, within the Regional Development 2021-2027 program, which are designed to assist local businesses, municipalities, NGOs and workers in the energy sector.
Targeted investments planned for 2025 include:
- Nearly 150 million euros to support energy communities in developing clean energy solutions.
- Over 130 million euros for production investments in large enterprises within the Stara Zagora region.
- Nearly 140 million euros for mining site reclamation.
- 64 million euros for training and retraining personnel in transitioning industries.
- An additional 150 million euros to establish hydrogen production capacity.
Furthermore, around 20 million euros is allocated for building solar power plants, with nearly 70 million euros designated for clean energy initiatives within businesses. Research and development projects across the regions will also receive about 70 million euros.
Deputy Minister Yura Vitanova noted that the program’s first initiative, focused on improving energy efficiency in multi-family residential buildings, was launched in June 2024. A total of 329 project proposals worth around 230 million euros have been submitted by 24 municipalities across the three regions, more than doubling the available budget of 98 million euros.
These proposals are currently under review for administrative compliance and eligibility.
