site.btaStara Zagora Region Among Main JTF Beneficiaries; BGN 393.3 Mln for New Production and Clean Technologies in Bulgaria

The Stara Zagora Region, as the core of the Maritsa Coal Basin, is among the main beneficiaries of the Just Transition Fund (JTF) in Bulgaria. BTA learned from the Regional Information Centre - Stara Zagora that key priorities in applying the regulation for the region include industrial policy and attracting investment for small, medium-sized and large enterprises, with a focus on people affected by the transition, energy efficiency and the restoration and repurposing of mining sites.

One of the leading applications of the JTF in Bulgaria is support for manufacturing investments in large enterprises. The procedure has a total budget of BGN 462.7 million, of which BGN 393.3 million comes from the JTF, and aims to support economic restructuring through the creation of new production facilities and the implementation of clean technologies. The territorial scope covers Stara Zagora Region and ten municipalities - Nova Zagora, Sliven, Yambol, Elhovo, Tundzha, Simeonovgrad, Harmanli, Topolovgrad, Dimitrovgrad and Haskovo - all economically and socially linked to coal mining and power generation.

Investments are targeted both at initial production projects and at initiatives promoting the use of renewable energy. Grants range between BGN 1 million and BGN 20 million. A total of 47 project proposals worth more than BGN 495 million have been submitted and are currently under evaluation.

A separate procedure supports energy efficiency measures in multifamily residential buildings, including efforts to reduce energy poverty in regions most affected by the climate transition, with a budget exceeding BGN 192 million. In Stara Zagora Region, 39 contracts have been signed, 29 of them in Stara Zagora municipality, with the remainder in Kazanlak, Radnevo, Chirpan and Gurkovo.

At the same time, the JTF supports the development of industrial and logistics parks and zones focused on clean energy technologies, according to the Regional Information Centre. This procedure has a budget of BGN 149 million, with a maximum project grant of BGN 40 million for Stara Zagora Region. Nineteen project proposals worth over BGN 228.8 million have been submitted, aimed at repurposing sites affected by coal mining into hubs for new economic activities, including circular economy initiatives, digitalization and clean energy production.

A significant portion of JTF resources is directed towards small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), viewed as key to economic diversification and employment, the Regional Information Centre said. Under a procedure for Diversification and Adaptation of SMEs to the Economic Transition, 2,101 project proposals were submitted from three affected regions.

Within the available budget of BGN 250 million, 501 projects were approved, with total grants amounting to BGN 247.8 million. For Stara Zagora Region and the municipalities linked to the Maritsa Basin, 357 projects were funded with BGN 181.6 million. Following an analysis of results and a 30% increase in the budget for existing enterprises, additional funding was provided for 88 more projects in the region.

Investments cover a wide range of activities, including restructuring and technical modernization, renewable energy implementation, digitalization, innovation and development of new production capacities, including in the food industry, chemical industry, electronics and communications sectors.

The JTF also places strong emphasis on people affected by the transition. In this context, a procedure mapping the skills of indirectly affected individuals was implemented with a budget of BGN 3 million. Executed by the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy in partnership with the National Statistical Institute, trade unions and the Employment Agency, the project has been completed and serves as a basis for planning subsequent measures.

As of January 2026, a programme supporting workers in affected sectors through skilling and reskilling is active, with a total budget exceeding BGN 110 million, of which BGN 73.2 million is allocated to Stara Zagora Region. Beneficiaries include major energy and mining companies in the region, such as Maritsa East 1, 2 and 3 TPPs, Brikel TPP, Mini Maritsa-East, and Sliven TPP.

A strategic intervention focuses on the socio-economic transformation of mining sites. The procedure has a budget of over BGN 475.5 million, with over BGN 404.6 million earmarked for Stara Zagora Region. The measure is aimed at mine site rehabilitation in preparation for alternative economic uses, including industrial zones, renewable energy facilities, public spaces and green infrastructure.

Additional funding supports pilot initiatives for creating energy communities and improving energy efficiency in public buildings. The total budget for this measure is close to BGN 299 million, with BGN 168.5 million allocated to Stara Zagora and surrounding municipalities. A procedure supporting photovoltaic systems in micro, small and medium enterprises is currently open, with funding exceeding BGN 141.7 million, implemented in two components.