Structural funds - news http://eufunds.bg?cat=2 Thu, 11 Mar 2010 08:12:43 +0200 en hourly 1 http://eufunds.bg/?news#n980http://eufunds.bg/?news#n980On 26 February 2010, one month earlier than the specified deadline, Sofia Municipality submitted the Sofia Integrated Waste Management System project. The total cost of the project is BGN 359 435 408, including over BGN 256 million envisaged to be provided by the EU European Regional Development Fund and the state budget via Operational Program Environment. The remaining amount of over BGN 103 million will be provided by the Sofia Municipality via a loan from the European Investment Bank. The project includes design and construction of waste MBT (mechanical and biological treatment) installations, a non-hazardous waste disposal site and a waste composting installation, as well as construction of the conveying technical infrastructure needed for the operation of the equipment included in the system. The implementation of the project will ensure environmentally-friendly disposal of household waste generated in the territory of the Sofia Municipality, in accordance with the provisions of the national and European legislations, as well as 60% reduction of the quantity of waste disposed, which will improve the components of the environment and minimize the risk to human health. Due to its significance, this project has been given a priority status in the new National Waste Management Programme 2009 - 2013. The Intermediate Body of Operational Programme Environment shall perform assessment within 2 months of the submission of the project proposal. After the completion of the assessment at a national level, the project shall be submitted for approval by the European Commission. According to the EU requirements, all major investment projects of over EUR 25 million in the environment sector applying for European funding are subject to assessment and approval by the Commission. Practice has shown that the procedure in Brussels takes 3 months to 1 year, depending on the project documentation quality and the work-load of the responsible units in the Commission. The beneficiary will be given access to the OPE financial resources after the formal approval of the project by the EC.http://eufunds.bg/?news#n964http://eufunds.bg/?news#n964The members of the NSRF Monitoring Committee had a meeting on Feb 1 discussing the future of Cohesion Policy after the end of the current programming period (2007-2013). The main goal of the discussion was the launch of a public debate on the reform of Cohesion Policy, as well as the related changes expected to take place in the EU Budget. The main events and results from the discussion process at EU level have been presented. The participants in the discussion welcomed the idea of setting up a unified national position in the launched debate at EU level, having in mind the best possible protection of the national interests. It was emphasized that there is a strong necessity of coordinated activities between the state administration and the non-governmental sector in the process of building new Cohesion Policy, as well as the long-term strategy EU 2020, which should continue the Lisbon efforts. Your opinions and proposals for setting up a country’s position on the future of the Cohesion Policy can be submitted here.http://eufunds.bg/?news#n962http://eufunds.bg/?news#n962The Managing Authority of the Operational Programme \"Development of the Competitiveness of the Bulgarian Economy\" 2007-2013 published the Indicative Annual Working Programme for upcoming calls for proposals for 2010, approved by the Monitoring Committee of the Operational Programme \"Competitiveness\" during its fifth meeting on November 25, 2009. You can find the complete text of the programme here. * A version of 28.01.2010 http://eufunds.bg/?news#n955http://eufunds.bg/?news#n955On 18.01.2010 in Sofia, at hotel “Sheraton”, the Fifth official meeting of the Monitoring Committee of Operational programme “Technical assistance” (OPTA) will take place. OP „Technical Assistance” provides support to the implementation of the activities, performed by the structures at central level, responsible for the coordination and management of EU funds, as well as the development of the Unified Monitoring Information System and for promoting the EU Cohesion policy. http://eufunds.bg/?news#n946http://eufunds.bg/?news#n946Vratsa Integrated Water Cycle Project was approved by the European Commission on 17 December 2009. The project budget is 136 373 288, 07 leva. The grant under OP Environment is estimated to 123 523 616, 01 leva. This is the first major infrastructure project in Bulgaria in the field of environment, approved in Brussels. Following Regulation 1083/2006 all projects exceeding 25 million Euro should be approved by the European Commission after their approval at national level. Vratsa project includes reconstruction and rehabilitation of over 150 kilometers water supply, sewerage and collector network and full modernization of the existing waste water treatment plant. The Cohesion Fund contribution is 98 818 893, 59 leva. The national co financing is 24 704 722, 42 leva. The deadline for the grant absorption is until the end of 2015. During the project implementation 520 new jobs will be opened. The budget allocation is: Cohesion Fund - 98 818 893, 59 (72,46%) National co-financing - 24 704 722, 42(18,12%) Loans from international financial institutions - 12 849 672, 06(9,42%) Total Budget: 136 373 288, 07 (100%)