A. Preparatory actions

A.1 Analysis of the Air Quality Programs and collection of additional information

  • Analysis and assessment of the Air Quality Programs of the six municipalities.
  • Purchase and installation of air quality monitoring equipment in the six municipalities.
  • Creation of information database.
  • Drafting a Regulation on the scope and contents of the air quality information that must be provided to the municipalities in relation to their obligation for air quality management on their territory.
  • Establishment/update of early warning systems in the six municipalities.

A.2 Analysis and assessment of household heating as a source of air pollution

  • Assessment of the possibilities for changing the heating systems of the population in the neighbourhoods with significant contribution to air pollution
  • Assessment of the awareness and attitudes of the population in the six municipalities, incl. for participation in the scheme for replacement of the heating, which will be implemented during the following two phases.

A.3 Analysis of alternatives for household heating and market research

  • Identification of the options for replacement of the heating system of the households
  • Conducting market research and a cost effectiveness analysis for each of the alternative options for household heating.
  • Conducting a survey of the operators/manufacturers of heating installations and solutions.
  • Elaboration of a report with recommended options for replacement of the heating systems of the household for each of the Integrated project municipalities.

A.4 Analysis of the Target Energy Assistance Program of Bulgaria

  • Analysis of the needs of the beneficiaries of the Target Energy Assistance Program;
  • Elaboration of special criteria for access to the scheme for transition towards alternative forms of household heating. These criteria will be included as an element of the concept for the scheme, which will be developed under Action A5.

A.5 Design of a scheme for transition towards alternative forms of household heating

  • Elaboration of concepts for a scheme for transition towards alternative forms of household heating for each of the six municipalities,
  • Carrying out consultations with the stakeholders in each of the Integrated project municipality
  • Elaboration of a final version of the scheme for transition towards alternative forms of household heating for each of the six municipalities.

A.6 Building the capacity of the coordinating beneficiary, the associated beneficiaries and the stakeholders

  • Training of representatives of the different units from the project’s management scheme in administrative and managerial issues.
  • Hiring air quality experts in municipalities-beneficiaries.
  • Training of representatives of the teams in charge of the implementation of the individual project actions in expert and technical matters.
  • Establishment of an Information Exchange Platform.
  • Establishment and maintenance of a Network for cooperation in the field of air quality management.

C. Concrete (conservation/implementation) actions

C.1 Demonstration (testing) of the scheme for transition towards alternative forms of household heating

  • Recruitment of participants in the scheme (households).
  • Support provision to the participants in the scheme, incl. opening of bureaus (offices) for administration of the scheme in each of the six municipalities.
  • Delivery of the equipment under the scheme for transitions towards alternative forms of household heating.
  • Installation of the new household heating devices/systems.
  • Test period of operation, incl. collection and analysis of information from the testing.

C.2 Assessment of the pilot testing scheme and finalization of its design

  • Analysis of the entire documentation for the implementation of the scheme in the six municipalities.
  • Sociological survey of the households, which have participated in the scheme.
  • In-depth interviews with the municipal employees that administrate the scheme.
  • Elaboration of a summary report from the assessment and recommendations for changes in the scheme; and the need for amendments to the local legal framework.
  • Making changes in the design of the scheme, if necessary, incl. updating the set of documents for implementation of the scheme for transition towards alternative forms of household heating.

C.3 Building the capacity of the coordinating beneficiary, the associated beneficiaries and the stakeholders (phase 2)

  • Conducting training to increase the capacity of the municipal employees responsible for the implementation of the scheme for transition towards alternative forms of household heating.
  • Training of municipal employees in the field of air quality.
  • Involvement in the update of the Air Quality Programs of Sofia, Burgas, Stara Zagora, Russe and Veliko Tarnovo – this activity will be financed by the Operational Programme Environment 2014-2020.

C.4 Implementation of the transition scheme to alternative forms of household heating

  • Recruitment of participants in the scheme (households).
  • Support provision to the participants in the scheme (households), incl. by the bureaus for administration of the scheme in each of municipality.
  • Delivery of the equipment under the scheme for transition towards alternative forms of household heating.
  • Installation of the new household heating devices/systems.

C.5 Assessment of the scheme implementation

  • Assessment if the scheme’s implementation with respect to the participation of potential beneficiaries, strengths and weaknesses, execution, coverage, etc. by collection and analysis of:
      • quantitative information – the entire documents for administration of the scheme
      • qualitative information – sociological information for the population, the scheme beneficiaries and the scheme administrators  
      • air quality information – data from the air quality monitoring system   
      • information for the households’ heating costs.
  • Formulation of recommendations and proposal for amendments to the scheme for transition to alternative forms of heating after the project end and for the implementation of the scheme at the national level.

C.6 Building the capacity of the coordinating beneficiary, the associated beneficiaries and the stakeholders

  • Conducting training to increase the capacity of municipal officials responsible for the implementation of the scheme for transition towards alternative forms of household heating.
  • Training of municipal officials in the field of air quality.

C.7 Developing a proposal for implementing the scheme at national level 

  • Drawing up a proposal for implementing/applying the scheme for transition towards alternative forms of household heating in all municipalities with poor air quality.

D. Monitoring of the impact of the project actions

D.1 Evaluating the impact of project actions and compiling tables of indicators

  • Collection of information needed to fill in the tables of indicators (quantitative and qualitative) that must be submitted with the reports. These indicators will contribute to evaluating the impact of the Integrated project in view of the overall objectives of the LIFE Programme, in line with the Regulation and the Multiannual Work Programme for 2014-2017.

E. Public awareness and dissemination of results

E.1 Dissemination of project results and awareness raising

  • Design and maintenance of project website.
  • Design and maintenance of project profiles on the social media.
  • Establishment of local information centres.
  • Media coverage of project actions.
  • Organization and conducting of national and local level events.
  • Production and dissemination of information materials.

E.2 Networking with other Programme LIFE and/or out of LIFE projects

  • Establishment of contacts and effective interaction with LIFE and non-LIFE projects aimed at clear air protection.
  • Organization of a study tour.
  • Presentation the Integrated project at international forums.

E.3 Layman’s Report

  • Preparation of a Layman's report to present the project to the general public in a clear and accessible way. The report will focus on the achievements of the project and the long-term environmental benefits, in particular the preservation of air cleanliness, thus attracting the attention to the project of politicians, journalists, experts and other stakeholders working on similar topics and issues.

F. Project management and monitoring of project progress

F.1 Establishment of project management framework

Setting up the project management framework including:

  • Steering Committee
  • Coordination Group
  • Project Implementation Unit
  • Local Management Units
  • Expert Centre.

F.2 Operating management and monitoring of project progress

  • Elaboration of an Action Plan.
  • Establishment and maintenance of an information platform of the project.
  • Ensuring synergy of the Integrated project implementation and the implementation of the Air Quality Plans of the six municipalities.
  • Elaboration of detailed methodologies for execution of project actions/tasks.
  • Assignment of the implementation of the project actions/tasks.
  • Monitoring and control of the quality of produced materials.
  • Approval of documents produced as a result of the implementation of project actions.
  • Establishment and organisation of a system for documentation and reporting on project implementation.
  • Reporting on the implementation to the LIFE Programme.

F.3. Development of After-LIFE Plan

  • Elaboration of After-LIFE Plan presenting how actions implemented under the Integrated project would be continued or replicated elsewhere, how human resources and management capacities built up during the project will be maintained, how related funding would be ensured, etc.