1. City of Sofia “Ever growing, never aging”

2. Overview  Geographical Centre of South East Europe and Entry point to the Middle East;  Cross point of Three Pan-European Transport Corridors;  Sofia Municipality is subdivided into 24 districts and is the administrative, political, economic, educational and cultural centre of the country.  One of the oldest European Cities, founded 7 thousand years ago;  Capital of Bulgaria since 1879;  More than 1,6 million citizens;

3. Economy  Sofia produces 33% of the national GDP which is 69% of the EU average - expected to become 80% by 2015.  The unemployment is among the lowest in Europe - 1.3%.  Due to the more than 20 universities based in Sofia, the employed with higher education are 45% and with secondary - 51%.  In 2007 the capital attracted 78% of all foreign investments in BG.

4. SOFIA MUNICIPALITY PROJECTS PORTFOLIO EXCTRACT OF SELECTED PROJECTS

5. Major Projects Sofia Metro Extension – 283 million EUR Transport Operational Programme Sofia Waste Management – 183 million EUR Environment Operational Programme (encl. Cohesion Fund)

6. Exploring current approaches to strengthen social cohesion in neighbourhoods. The Cohesion Network CoNet brings together experiences in neighbourhood based and integrated approaches to local development. Lead partner:Berlin Partners: Sofia Municipality Brussels, Liverpool, Palermo, Malmö, Vaulx-en-Velin, Alba Iulia, Apeldoorn, Zabzre, Gijon Duration: 2008 – 2011 Budget: 644 319 EUR

7. еufonia 2009 – Stringed Musical Instruments Preservation and revival of the craft of luthierie in Europe Lead partner: Sofia Municipality Partners: Espase Formation – Belgium and Fundatia Art Production – Romania Duration: 2009 – 2010 Budget: 328 000 EUR

8. More sustainable forms of transport Lead partner:London Councils Partners: Sofia Municipality Graz, Stockholm, Treviso, Almada, Frankfurt, Erasmus Univ, Serres, Bratislava, Klaipėda LT, Maribor, Larnaca, Gdansk, Timişoara Duration: 2008 – 2011 Budget: 3 250 000 EUR High quality mobility management techniques and policies in European regions.

9. Municipal PROperty Management In Southeastern European Cities Harmonization of institutional frameworks in order to remove barriers on transnational investments Lead partner:University of Thessaly, DPRD, Greece Partners: Sofia Municipality Athens, Bucharest, Zagreb, Tirana, Casjetina, Bratislava, Rimini, University of Tirana, University of National and World Economy Sofia, Institute of Technologies and Development Foundation, Bulgaria Duration: 2009 - 2012 Budget: 100 000 EUR PROMISE

10. Awaiting approval

11. Thank you Maria Kospartova Senior Expert European Programmes and Projects Directorate Sofia Municipality Tel: +359 2 9377 547 mkospartova@sofia.bg