Gabrovo, Bulgaria: The Gabrovo Municipality informed through its social media account that the Chamber of Commerce and Industry will help SMEs achieve carbon neutrality and increased energy production.
Representatives of the companies and the public in the Gabrovo region had the opportunity to get acquainted with the planned activities of the project “Carbon Neutrality and Increased Energy Efficiency of SMEs in Gabrovo and Gabrovo Region” at an information meeting and press conference on June 6, 2023.
The Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2014-2021 funded the project within the Business Development, Innovation and SMEs in Bulgaria program.
Gabrovo region is one of the most developed industrial areas in Bulgaria. In 2022, Gabrovo was chosen as one of the 100 cities in the EU’s mission for climate-neutral and smart cities by 2030.
Carbon neutrality and increased energy productivity of SMEs are vital to achieving the goals because the site is one of Bulgaria’s best-developed industrial areas.
The Regional Governor of Gabrovo District, Mrs Kristina Sidorova, addressed the participants in the written welcome meeting and wished success of the project because environmental conservation is the common goal and mission.
Nevena Peeva-Todorova, an expert at Prios Kompetense AS Norway (Project Partner), spoke on the topic of “Carbon Neutrality and Increased Energy Productivity of SMEs in Gabrovo and Gabrovo Region”.
To build capacity in small and medium-sized enterprises / SMEs / from Gabrovo and the region to improve these two indicators, the project envisages:
– Development of a tool for self-assessment and analysis of their current state;
– Creating a Training Program. Representatives of at least 30 companies from the region will be trained.
– Package of consulting services;
– Online platform on the Gabrovo Chamber of Commerce and Industry site.
It is also planned to get acquainted with the experience of Norwegian enterprises through online meetings and on-site meetings with them.
Maria Radoicheva informed about the plan for integrated development of the Municipality of Gabrovo during the current program period and what it provides for climate neutrality. Expert in the Directorate of Infrastructure and Ecology of Gabrovo Municipality.
The Associate Professor shared how to achieve carbon neutrality and increased energy productivity, experience and possible solutions. Eng. Plamen Tsankov, Deputy. Rector of TU Gabrovo, an expert in energy efficiency and NEI. The meeting ended with a discussion and answers to questions from the participants.
Some participants joined through the ZOOM platform; the meeting was also broadcasted on the Gabrovo Chamber of Commerce and Industry Facebook page.