It is particularly important that European policies are implemented on time

Agnes Monfret, Head of the Cohesion Policy Unit for Bulgaria, Hungary, Slovenia at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy, participated in the ‘Expanding Opportunities’ webinar, part of the Transition Opportunities project by Brand Media Bulgaria. Agnès opened the second panel of the event, which focused on the transformation of coal regions with European funds.

It is particularly important for us to implement European policies on time, building trust and in direct relation to the needs of the territories. I am impressed by the already built skills as well as  young people’s “green energy and awareness” in these regions (the Teens4Green awardees)," said Ms Monfret during the event. She stressed the importance of building trust in the implementation of European policies on the ground.

Ms Monfret was joined by Boštjan Krajnc, Director of Energy Agency of Savinjska, Šaleška and Koroška region (KSSENA Institute in Slovenia) and Bilyana Toncheva, Expert in European Funding, Procurator at Eco Globe in Panel 2. Likewise, in Panel 1 participated Genady Kondarev, Senior Associate for Central and Eastern Europe at E3G, Duygu Kutluay, Campaigner at Beyond Fossil Fuels and Kristina Lazarova, General Manager, EGGS Environmental Group for Global Solutions. The webinar was moderated by Angelina Todorova, European Policy Expert.

The event engaged successful entrepreneurs, brave investors and innovators in a productive discussion on diversifying coal dependent regional economies. The webinar aimed to strengthen the innovation potential of local stakeholders and allow them to think bigger and out of the box when applying for European funding. It builds upon the achievements of 6 regional events – 3 awareness-raising conferences and 3 round tables held on the territory of the coal regions of Bulgaria – Pernik, Stara Zagora and Kyustendil earlier this year.

Yesterday was announced the date of the final project event, the “Opportunities Cross Borders” conference, which will be held in Sofia on 25.9.2024. Everyone interested is invited to attend.