1. Managing and Communicating the Local Policy on EU Funds Absorption Irina Yordanova Chairwoman of the European Affairs and Civil Society Permanent Committee of the Sofia City Council

2. Local authorities must have a vision and a policy:  What should their territory look like in 4, 7 or 10 years ?  What are the strengths and weaknesses of their municipality?  What are the overall needs for investment ?  What specific projects can be proposed for financing ?  In order to ensure the efficiency of investments, municipalities have to prepare strategic development plans.

3. Local authorities must identify resources:  On the basis of the strategy, municipalities should identify available resources in the SF and CF and check other complementary resources (FP7, CBC Europaid Thematic Calls, EIB)  Beneficiaries should know where to get information regarding launched and planned calls for proposals  Regular screening of the web sites/official journals  Regular contacts with the MAs/Intermediate Bodies  Contacts with bilateral partners or in networks

4. City of Sofia - strategic vision Capital of Bulgaria for the last 120 years, nowadays it has more than 1,3 million citizens Capital of Bulgaria for the last 120 years, nowadays it has more than 1,3 million citizens Centre of university education – 19 universities, 42% of all students in the country Centre of university education – 19 universities, 42% of all students in the country Centre of Research – Bulgarian Academy of Science with more than 2400 scientists Centre of Research – Bulgarian Academy of Science with more than 2400 scientists The unemployment rate is under 3 % - the lowest in Bulgaria The unemployment rate is under 3 % - the lowest in Bulgaria 65.2 % of the population is of working age 65.2 % of the population is of working age More than 27 % of the population has high educational degree More than 27 % of the population has high educational degree

5.  Geographical Centre of South East Europe and Entry point to the Middle East;  Cross point of Three Pan-European Transport Corridors: Strategic Location Corridor № 4 - connecting Central Europe and the Mediterranean Sea; Corridor № 4 - connecting Central Europe and the Mediterranean Sea; Corridor № 8 – connecting the Adriatic and the Black Sea; Corridor № 8 – connecting the Adriatic and the Black Sea; Corridor № 10 – connecting Western Europe with Turkey and the Middle East. Corridor № 10 – connecting Western Europe with Turkey and the Middle East.

6. Sofia - Dynamic Economic Centre The GDP of Sofia represents 29,7 % of the national GDP The GDP of Sofia represents 29,7 % of the national GDP Sofia concentrates 49.5 % of all foreign direct investment in Bulgaria for the last 15 years Sofia concentrates 49.5 % of all foreign direct investment in Bulgaria for the last 15 years The largest sector of the municipal economy is the service sector with about 73 % The largest sector of the municipal economy is the service sector with about 73 % There are 41 710 small and medium-sized enterprises which produce 71% of all revenues There are 41 710 small and medium-sized enterprises which produce 71% of all revenues Active real estate market with rental fees lowest among the CEEC Active real estate market with rental fees lowest among the CEEC Sofia Municipality has ‘BB+’ rating with positive outlook by S&P. Sofia Municipality has ‘BB+’ rating with positive outlook by S&P.

7. Challenges: Transport and Traffic – the number of vehicles and the traffic flows are outrunning the transport infrastructure development; Transport and Traffic – the number of vehicles and the traffic flows are outrunning the transport infrastructure development; Municipal Solid Waste Management – need of a modern management system; Municipal Solid Waste Management – need of a modern management system; Water Sector – water supply & waste water treatment. Water Sector – water supply & waste water treatment.

8. Sofia Solid Waste Management: State of the art –during the last 2 years there was no functioning household waste landfill; Baling of the waste, storage on sites in the city and transportation to other municipalities. At present - reopening of the old landfill at SuhodolState of the art –during the last 2 years there was no functioning household waste landfill; Baling of the waste, storage on sites in the city and transportation to other municipalities. At present - reopening of the old landfill at Suhodol Cooperation with EU institutions for finding a solution:Cooperation with EU institutions for finding a solution: Development of a contemporary integrated waste management system to be financed by OP “Environment” with EUR 131 million. Development of a contemporary integrated waste management system to be financed by OP “Environment” with EUR 131 million. Current situation :Current situation : Introduction of separated waste collection system;Introduction of separated waste collection system; Consultant selected to provide the Feasibility Study of the ProjectConsultant selected to provide the Feasibility Study of the Project

9. Sofia Water Sector Development Project A project for reconstruction and extension of the water and drainage system on the territory of Sofia city;A project for reconstruction and extension of the water and drainage system on the territory of Sofia city; Budget of the project:Budget of the project: EUR 58,5 million 75% ISPA funding;75% ISPA funding; 15% EIB;15% EIB; 10% own contribution.10% own contribution.

10. Project for Sofia Waste Water Treatment Installations Construction of waste water treatment installations in 8 settlements on the territory of Sofia city;Construction of waste water treatment installations in 8 settlements on the territory of Sofia city; Funding for the pre-feasibility study,Funding for the pre-feasibility study, approved by SOFINEX on the amount of approved by SOFINEX on the amount of EUR 160 000. EUR 160 000.

11. Sustainable Development of the Urban territories along “Vladayska” River in Sofia Construction of two modern city boulevards and one road junction and development of the green places along the river; Construction of two modern city boulevards and one road junction and development of the green places along the river; Funding sources – OP “Regional Development”, own financing, etc. Funding sources – OP “Regional Development”, own financing, etc.

12. Sofia Public Lightning System Development Renewal of the old lightning system with modern energy efficient intelligent solution; Renewal of the old lightning system with modern energy efficient intelligent solution; Funding sources – possible PPP, EU funding, etc. Funding sources – possible PPP, EU funding, etc.

13. Other Sofia Municipality Priority Projects Reconstruction of major transport infrastructure network; Reconstruction of major transport infrastructure network; Delivery of new buses, trams and trolleys. Rehabilitation of over- bridges and subways; Rehabilitation of over- bridges and subways; Rehabilitation of the social infrastructure in Sofia – refurbishment and introduction of RES and energy efficiency measures, etc. Rehabilitation of the social infrastructure in Sofia – refurbishment and introduction of RES and energy efficiency measures, etc.

14. Foreign Investment Projects Business park Sofia - a complex of buildings with business offices, stores, conference halls, commercial areas, exhibition spaces, etc. ; Business park Sofia - a complex of buildings with business offices, stores, conference halls, commercial areas, exhibition spaces, etc. ; Shopping malls: Shopping malls: - Soravia Centre – Austrian investment; - Benchmark office and Shopping centre; - Carefour Trade Complex with shops, cinema halls, restaurants (floor are of 55 thousand sq. m.), etc.

15. Future Investment Projects Construction of underground parking facilities Construction of underground parking facilities At present there are 3 500 parking spaces in the downtown area.At present there are 3 500 parking spaces in the downtown area. Feasibility studies have been commissioned for six two-level underground parking constructions to provide 10 200 parking places.Feasibility studies have been commissioned for six two-level underground parking constructions to provide 10 200 parking places. Funding – PPP, concession, etc.Funding – PPP, concession, etc.

16. Future Investment Projects Development of industrial zones and Technology parks - in Iliyanci, Lozen, Airport area, etc. Development of industrial zones and Technology parks - in Iliyanci, Lozen, Airport area, etc. Rehabilitation of the prefabricated residential buildings; Rehabilitation of the prefabricated residential buildings; Renovation and construction of social houses; Renovation and construction of social houses; Construction of a new cemetery ; Construction of a new cemetery ; Construction of bicycle alleys in the city parks, etc. Construction of bicycle alleys in the city parks, etc.

17. Participation in EU Projects Participation in EU Projects - R4R (Development of a model for knowledge transfer) - 6 th FP, Priority: Support for the coherent development of policies - GREENKEYS (Urban Green as a Key for Sustainable Cities) under INTERREG III B CADSES programme - PRONET - to create an information network for exchange of knowledge on air pollution problems, 6 th FP - PRONET - to create an information network for exchange of knowledge on air pollution problems, 6 th FP - BELIEF, STACCATO, CRRESCENDO, etc.

18. Conclusion – six keywords Conclusion – six keywords  EU funded projects in municipalities and regions is a garanty to involve the citizens in the EU  We need projects (good projects)  Information is very important  Expertise and consultancy  Private partners to implement  Crucial element is the time/deadline: 2007-2013 (not to forget the N+2 rule)