Topical Information

The Experience of Stara Zagora and Łódź in Urban Regeneration

Successful practices from Stara Zagora and the Polish city of Łódź in the field of integrated urban development were presented during Learning Lab A – "Urban Regeneration and Integrated Planning", held on the second day of the European Urban Initiative (EUI) Capacity Building Event for Bulgaria, entitled "Next Generation Municipal Strategies: Participation, Funding, Continuity", which took place in Sofia.

Moderated by Iva Petkova from the FLAG Fund, the session brought together representatives of Bulgarian municipalities and European experts to discuss how integrated planning, active citizen participation, and institutional partnerships can become key drivers of sustainable urban regeneration.

As an international example, participants learned about the experience of the Polish city of Łódź, which has undergone a profound transformation following the decline of its textile industry. Aleksandra M. Trzcińska, Head of the Housing Programmes Department at the Revitalisation Office of the City of Łódź, explained how the city's regeneration began with difficult decisions, including redefining its industrial heritage as an asset rather than a burden.

According to her, regeneration is far more than restoring buildings. It also encompasses social policies, improved housing conditions, revitalised public spaces, and the active involvement of local communities. She stressed that successful regeneration is a long-term process requiring consistency, political commitment, and continuous dialogue with citizens.

Following the presentation, moderator Iva Petkova described the case of Łódź as highly inspiring and emphasised that it offers important lessons for Bulgarian municipalities. In her view, local authorities need to become more proactive, openly discuss the challenges facing their communities, and consistently work towards sustainable solutions.

Stara Zagora – Building on Local Identity

Svetoslav Kolev, Deputy Mayor of Stara Zagora Municipality, presented the municipality's approach to integrated urban development, highlighting the role of the local community and projects that combine urban regeneration with improvements in residents' quality of life.

He introduced Stara Zagora as a city with a strategic geographical location and dynamic economic development, while also possessing a rich cultural and historical heritage dating back thousands of years and significant potential for tourism.

In his presentation, he focused on the city's identity and the transformation it has undergone in recent years. According to Mr Kolev, every municipality has its own unique strengths that should be further developed, while sustainable urban development should be measured not only by economic indicators but also by the ability to preserve cultural heritage, public spaces, and quality of life.

He also addressed one of the key challenges facing Bulgarian municipalities—fiscal decentralisation. According to him, local governments need greater financial autonomy in order to implement development policies more effectively and invest where economic activity is generated.

"The question of where development funding comes from is crucial. When municipalities have sufficient own-source revenues, they can implement their ideas and projects much more quickly for the benefit of local communities," the Deputy Mayor emphasised.

Mr Kolev also noted that forums such as the EUI Capacity Building Event provide valuable opportunities to exchange European best practices and identify sustainable solutions for the development of Bulgarian cities through integrated planning, partnerships, and the effective use of European funding instruments.

Energy Communities – From European Policy to Working Local Solutions

How can municipalities turn the energy transition into tangible benefits for their citizens? This question was at the heart of Learning Lab C – "Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Sources (RES)", which was held in parallel with Learning Lab A.

Practical examples from Gabrovo, Sofia, and Bucharest demonstrated that a successful energy transition does not begin with technology, but with people—with trust, partnership, and a clear vision of how local communities can become active participants rather than merely consumers of energy. This was the central message of the learning lab dedicated to energy efficiency, renewable energy, innovative financing models, and stakeholder engagement in local sustainable development policies.

“Perfect regulation is a myth and an excuse—adaptation is an art.”

With these words, Todor Popov, Director of the Administrative, Legal and Information Services Directorate at the Municipality of Gabrovo, introduced the philosophy behind the creation of Bulgaria's first energy community.

The model presented views an energy community not simply as an investment in renewable energy, but as a tool for local development. Its integrated approach addresses several key challenges simultaneously, including energy poverty, public distrust in institutions, the outflow of financial resources from the local economy, limited civic engagement, and the need to accelerate the green transition.

The initiative began with a decision by the Municipal Council, followed by a public invitation to citizens and businesses, the development of a business model, the registration of the community, and the construction of the necessary infrastructure.

Today, Bulgaria's first energy community is operating successfully, bringing together 73 members, investments ranging from BGN 500 to BGN 5,000, a total capital of BGN 160,180, and a ten-year development horizon.

However, according to Mr Popov, the greatest achievement is not the financial figures. The energy community has evolved into a genuine community with its own identity, regular meetings, monthly and annual reporting, joint initiatives, and active participation in public life. In this way, citizens are gradually becoming partners of the local authority rather than simply consumers of energy.

One of the strongest messages of the presentation concerned the model's social impact. A minimum investment of BGN 500 enables many more citizens to participate in renewable energy production than would be possible if each household had to install its own photovoltaic system. This significantly broadens access to clean energy and turns energy communities into an effective instrument for reducing energy poverty and social inequalities.

The model also generates important economic benefits. Instead of financial resources leaving the community, a portion of the value created remains within the local economy and is redistributed among community members. According to the Municipality of Gabrovo, this transforms the energy community into a sustainable local development model that goes far beyond electricity generation.

Bucharest – Schools as Drivers of the Energy Transition

A different but equally integrated approach was presented by District 6 of Bucharest.

Lucian Veresciagin, Project Manager at the General Directorate for Local Development, Digitalisation and Externally Funded Projects, introduced the Low Emission Schools project, which modernises school infrastructure while transforming schools into centres for education, innovation, and sustainable development.

Alongside investments in energy-efficient renovation and the construction of new Nearly Zero-Energy Buildings (NZEB), the initiative includes educational campaigns, competitions, workshops, and student participation in activities related to climate change and energy efficiency.

A third component integrates schools into international research initiatives focused on the development of Positive Energy Districts—urban areas that produce more energy than they consume.

The project is financed through a combination of the European ELENA and JTI instruments, together with municipal funding.

Sofia – Building Trust Comes First

The experience of the Sofia Municipality was presented by Diana Paunova-Galeva from the Sofia Energy Agency (SOFENA).

She explained that the establishment of Sofia's first energy community clearly demonstrated the importance of involving all relevant stakeholders from the very beginning, including school management, parents, local residents, and the municipal administration.

One of the greatest challenges proved to be communication and trust-building. A lack of timely information can easily generate concerns and resistance, whereas transparent dialogue significantly facilitates the implementation of such initiatives.

According to Sofia's experience, a successful energy transition is not merely a technical process but, above all, a process of engaging people.

On the first day of the event, participants visited the innovative school where the energy community is being established, learning about every stage of its development and seeing first-hand the installation currently under construction.

Following the presentations, participants worked in small groups to develop concepts for their own local energy transition projects. Each group identified a specific local challenge, proposed a solution, mapped key stakeholders, identified potential funding sources, and outlined expected outcomes.

In this way, the Learning Lab became much more than a showcase of good practices—it evolved into a workshop for exchanging ideas, practical knowledge, and solutions that participants can adapt within their own municipalities.

The overall message emerging from all case studies was clear: a successful energy transition starts at the local level. Whether through establishing energy communities, modernising school infrastructure, or developing innovative financing models, sustainable results are achieved when municipalities work in partnership with citizens, businesses, educational institutions, and local organisations.

The practical examples from Gabrovo, Sofia, and Bucharest demonstrated that energy communities are no longer a concept of the future but a functioning instrument for building more sustainable, energy-independent, and engaged local communities.

For Bulgarian municipalities, these experiences provide valuable evidence that successful solutions are not created through universal formulas, but through the willingness to experiment, learn by doing, and build partnerships that place people at the heart of the energy transition.