EUR 3.63 billion for ecology planned in the next programming period

The necessary financial resources for Operational Program “Environment” (OPE) amount to EUR 3.63 billion, shows an analysis prepared by the Ministry of Environment and Water (МEW) for the next programming period between 2014 and 2020. Most funds – EUR 2.5 billion will be needed to improve and develop the infrastructure for water and wastewater, because there are concentrated the most serious problems in the water sector in our country. EUR 600 million will be allocated for improving the management of waste and EUR 200 million for biodiversity, including Natura 2000 as well as to effectively fight climate change. For technical assistance are provided EUR 100 million, the remaining EUR 30 million are for horizontal measures - coordination of legislation in different EU countries. Preparation for the next programming period of OPE is still at an early stage but already three main priorities are outlined. Funds will be provided for completion of the five major water projects – in Plovdiv, Vratsa, Gabrovo, Asenovgrad and Dobrich, said for “Stroitel” newspaper from the MEW. The projects in Vratsa and Gabrovo are being implemented but those in Plovdiv and Dobrich are still waiting for a positive assessment by the European Commission and that in Asenovgrad has not been evaluated. Priority will be completion of the waste treatment plant in the capital. The next programming period will focus primarily on measures to recycle and reuse while construction of plants and other facilities will remain in the background.