The Bulgarian School of Politics "Dimitry Panitza" and the German Embassy to Bulgaria organized a conference "Energy Efficiency Investment Mechanisms". It defined the optimal policy mechanisms that could bring sufficient investments flow into energy efficiency projects in the building sector and the industry in Bulgaria.

The conference was held on 14.11.2012 at the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany to Bulgaria (St. Fr. Joliot Curie 25, Sofia) and started at 9:00.

The conference was opened by the Minister of Economy, Energy and Tourism Delian Dobrev. Among the participants were Miriam Ott- German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety,  Diana Mangalagiu - University of Oxford, Krasimir Naidenov -  Director of the Agency for Sustainable Energy Development.
The forum discussed opportunities for investments in energy efficiency technologies and the necessary national, European and global sources for them. The participants deliberated the potential role of Bulgaria as a regional EU center of energy efficiency and how the EU targets to increase energy efficiency affected national economies. Moreover German, English and Bulgarian politicians, economic analysts and business leaders exchanged knowledge and ideas between them.

For more information press here

The Bulgarian School of Politics "Dimitry Panitza" organized a conference "Balkan Policies for “Green” Economic Growth". Its aim was to  foster a common understanding on energy-related policies between the governments, energy companies, energy experts, investors, analysts and NGOs from all the countries of the Western Balkans, Bulgaria and Romania and to outline strategy for clean energy regional cooperation just before the Rio+20 conference.

The conference was held on 11.06.2012 at the Radisson Blu Grand Hotel, Sofia and started at 9:00 a.m.
The Minister of Economy, Energy and Tourism Delyan Dobrev opened the conference.
The conference was held just prior to this in Rio de Janeiro, which was attended by all world leaders. It focused on two themes: (a) a green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication; and (b) the institutional framework for sustainable development.  The themes overlapped with the idea of the conference in Sofia, which contributed to the establishment of a common position from the countries of the Western Balkans, Bulgaria and Romania shortly before the Rio Conference. In this way they were prepared for action according to the decisions made during the conference in Rio.

The main objective of the conference was to reach a common understanding, to exchange information and ideas, to discuss the political actions needed to address the growing global and regional energy challenges and to transfer knowledge on the road to sustainable energy policies that will help future EU members from the region integrate in the European energy community just before the Rio+20 conference. The experience of Bulgaria in the process of accession to the EU was used. The President and the Prime Minister of Bulgaria had declared energy efficiency as a priority for them, which facilitated the process of building a successful regional cooperation.
During the energy conference the major theme was examined from different perspectives. The main perspective was regional cooperation and its role in the European energy sector. Other perspectives were the importance of investments, the role of governments and energy efficiency as a key tool for achieving energy security and reduction of the negative impact for the environment in the region.

For more information press here

The key problem that this project identified was the lack of a community of professional political and civic leaders in Bulgaria, who understood and could fully implement the core principles of good governance, such as the rule of law, legitimacy, transparency, and accountability.  Tied to this was the second problem, namely, the inability of political leaders to engage civic participation in public decision-making, for the consolidation of a strong civil society, well-integrated into the European community to which Bulgaria now belongs.

The project “The Missing Link: From Strategic Documents to Policy Action”, financed by the America for Bulgaria Foundation, supports the National Program of the School, in which young political and civic leaders train their leadership skills. Its aim is within the Program to build a sustainable mechanism for finding practical solutions to urgent social problems. The project is linked with a new stage of School’s development, at which it is to establish as a place not only for training but also for policy making in areas key for the development of Bulgaria, thus stimulating the process of modernization of the country.

Bulgarian School of Politics makes the study of international practices and experience in the development and use of methodologies to reduce energy consumption through information campaigns on energy efficiency. The study is carried out jointly with the Institute for Energy Management.

In the Project, representatives of the School Alumni work with the children from the Centers for Foster Care in Velingrad, Nezabravka Orphanage in Stara Zagora and the Care Home for Children with Disabilities “St. Pantelejmon” in the village of Vidrare, Pravets municipality.

The aim of the Project is to revive the long-lasting giving traditions in Bulgaria, to encourage charity among young political and civic leaders, and to make philanthropy an integral part of culture and value system of our society.
The Bulgarian School of Politics has always united leading public figures in their efforts to engage with a certain cause and to involve others with that.

The project was targeted to media and was imposed by climate change worldwide and the response that each state must provide in order to mitigate and slow the effects of these changes in economic, social, and political terms. Discussion, development and effective implementation of legislative initiatives and mechanisms at national level in this area could be achieved by a clear commitment from the political forces and by systematic control on their implementation. It could be effectively exerted by civil society and media, which largely shape the views on these issues.

The main objective of the project was to promote a change in existing paradigms of thinking and behavior of political parties and their representatives in Parliament who were responsible for providing strategic direction through the formulation of policies and legislation on climate change and energy efficiency that comply with fundamental principles of environmental protection. The project was developed based on an analysis of the activities of state institutions and ministries dealing with the problems of energy efficiency and sustainable development.

Read more...