The competition "Eco-Municipality - sustainable city and society" started its 5th edition in Bulgaria
For the fifth year, the Embassy of France in Bulgaria and the French Institute in Bulgaria support municipalities that create a clean and harmonious living environment for their residents. The EcoMunicipality competition aims to recognize the efforts of Bulgarian municipalities to improve the quality of life by promoting sustainable urban development. The competition is organized jointly with the National Association of Municipalities in the Republic of Bulgaria (NAMRB), EU for the Earth, EnEffect and the Association of Environmentalists from Municipalities in Bulgaria. "The environmental transition is a major topic for Bulgaria, as well as for France, and we are happy to work together on these complex issues. In France and in Bulgaria there are many excellent environmental initiatives that deserve to be recognized and promoted", said the French ambassador Joel Meyer. The competition seeks to highlight the implementation of good practices at the local level for sustainable urban development. It also aims to promote dialogue between administrations, citizens and economic operators to identify solutions for responsible resource management and environmental protection. To participate in the competition, municipalities must present their sustainable policies in one of the 3 categories: "Waste and recycling", "Sustainable mobility" and "Energy and emissions".
The "EcoMunicipality" competition is open to all municipalities in Bulgaria, divided into 2:
• Municipalities with over 40,000 inhabitants and
• Municipalities with less than 40,000 inhabitants.
The deadline for applications is 10 October 2024. The prize for all laureates this year is a working visit to France, with expenses covered by the organizers. The winning municipalities will visit innovative sites in French cities regarding urban mobility, waste valorization and energy transition.
The EcoCommunity competition was launched in Bulgaria in 2016 and since then has become a significant platform for sharing experience and good practices between French and Bulgarian participants. Over the years, the contest drew attention to numerous initiatives contributing to the sustainable development of cities and promoted the role of local authorities in the implementation of environmental protection policies. In Poland, the competition started in 2013 and attracts hundreds of local municipalities. In Serbia, the competition only started in 2022 and continues to successfully evaluate municipalities there until now. More information about the competition and the conditions for participation can be found on the updated website https://ecoobshtina.bg, which also offers a series of articles on key environmental practices and climate policies from French and Bulgarian cities.
On 17.09.2024, Tuesday, at 10:00 a.m., a press conference will be held in the hall of the French Institute in Bulgaria, at "Petko R. Slaveykov" Square #3, Sofia. In September and October 2024, within the framework of the competition, seminars on municipal environmental policies will be organized and a series of environmental films will be screened, open to all with free admission.