site.btaMinister Gutsanov: 220 Municipalities Have Applied for Electric Vehicles and Solar Panels for Social Services

Some 220 municipalities have applied for electric vehicles and the installation of photovoltaic systems for social services, funded by the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy, which is a very high success rate, Minister of Labour and Social Policy Borislav Gutsanov said, commenting on the progress of the procedure he initiated. The initiative allows for the installation of solar panels on existing social service facilities and the purchase of electric vehicles for their needs. Only 36 municipalities across the country have not submitted applications, the Labour and Social Policy Ministry reported here on Tuesday.

Minister Gutsanov and his team held a meeting with the National Association of Municipalities in the Republic of Bulgaria, during which current partnership projects between the two sides aimed at supporting people were discussed.

“Our condition is that the vehicles are used for social services, not for leisure. They should be work vehicles, connected with activities aimed at helping people,” stated Minister Gutsanov. He added that once the submitted projects are approved, the remaining funds will be made available for a second round of applications for an additional vehicle. The criteria for this next phase are yet to be determined.

A total of BGN 77.6 million has been allocated under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan for the purchase of electric vehicles and charging stations. The project will enable better service delivery to people, including in their homes, and reduce maintenance costs for services, allowing more funds to be invested directly in activities benefiting users. 

The meeting also addressed the possibility of extending the “Hot Meal” service under the “Food and Basic Material Assistance” Program until January 31.