FMFIB Executive Director Alexander Nenkov participated in the fourth edition of the Mayors Talk forum, which took place in Gabrovo under the motto "Implementation starts now: solutions for delayed processes in search of sustainable results". Among the participants were Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Innovation and Growth Tomislav Donchev, representatives of the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works, local authorities, companies, and the civil sector.
Alexander Nenkov shared FMFIB's experience in managing financial instruments (FIs) for urban development and their contribution to real change in Bulgarian municipalities, highlighting successful projects in Gabrovo Municipality financed through the Regional Fund for Urban Development.
During the past programming period, six projects worth over BGN 10 million were implemented in Gabrovo Region under the Urban Development Fund for Northern Bulgaria, while over 50 projects worth BGN 17 million were financed under other FMFIB instruments, he said.
Currently, funds from PP 2014-2020 recycled resources under the Operational Programme for Rural Development are available on the market, amounting to about BGN 20 million per year for low-interest loans. The financial intermediaries are (1) the Sustainable Cities Fund for Sofia and Southern Bulgaria and (2) the Regional Fund for Urban Development for Northern Bulgaria. The funds can finance energy efficiency measures in public buildings, including student hostels, sports, cultural, educational and health infrastructure, etc. All interested parties can find information on how to apply on the FUG (www.citiesfund.bg) and RFGR (www.jessicafund.bg) websites.
Under the new urban development financial instruments for PP 2021-2027, FMFIB manages BGN 513 million, of which BGN 442 million under the Development of Regions Programme and BGN 71 million under the Competitiveness and Innovation in Enterprises Programme, co-financed by the EU. The main priorities remain support for energy efficiency of residential and public buildings, sustainable mobility, green urban infrastructure, health and social infrastructure, and cultural and historical heritage.
83% of the resources under the Regions in Growth Programme will be directed to less developed regions of the country. The new FIs foresee a combination of loan and grant funding in one operation, which will facilitate applicants and encourage more projects to be implemented. In the case of high energy efficiency, the grant component can reach up to 40% of the total financing.
