LET'S INVITE THE NATURE IN OUR CITIES

Programme 2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-A IPA Bulgaria North Macedonia

Date of latest update: 2025-10-01

Description

Description (EN):

In the era of modernization, urban green spaces (UGSs) are attracting increasing attention in eco cities development. There is currently a paucity of UGSs, and their importance has become crucial in enhancing life expectancy and health. To meet people's demands, we are busy in designing green cities. The deployment of UGSs is particularly relevant to fully enhancing residents' lifestyles and health. Bansko Municipality and Vinica Municipality are facing similar challenges. Both municipalities have identified the challenge of the unbalanced development of green areas in the region and the need of investments for development of urban green areas. That is the reason why we plan to collaboratively develop the needed green zones along with velo alleys in a way to actively engage people and raise awareness about the importance of preserving green spaces. In recent years, Bansko municipality, known as one of the most preferred winter tourist destinations in Bulgaria, has faced a serious challenge related to land pollution. As the city's popularity as a major tourist destination grows, the number of visitors increases significantly, which automatically leads to an increase in the amount of land pollution. The combination of these factors makes the problem of soil contamination in Bansko increasingly relevant, calling into question the sustainable development of the region and the protection of the environment. The sectoral relationship between tourism and all forms of pollution in the context of GI is also acknowledged in the Biodiversity Information System for Europe (https://biodiversity.europa.eu/green-infrastructure/gi-related-sectors). During the last decade Vinica has highly improved the tourist infrastructure. Due to that fact Vinica is very attractive for tourists. Both Bansko and Vinica face similar difficulties in prevention and management of land pollution. Through that project we intend to embrace the opportunity to introduce a pilot land pollution information management system in Bansko Municipality and to transfer the practice in Vinica through presenting the advantages of the pilot action. Another challenge we identify is change in peoples' mind. We aim to sustainable green and eco oriented people who keep and preserve our nature. We intend to approach their self conscience by an "Eco mind campaign" . Overall objectives of the project proposal: By implementing Green Infrastructure (GI) investments along with contemporary information management solutions to mitigate environmental degradation, we help to reduce the accumulation of harmful pollutants in soil and groundwater. In more practical terms, we aim to: 1. Develop 0,744 ha of urban green areas in Bansko and 0,306 ha in Vinica Municipalities 2. Develop 1 velo alley and 1 pedestrian lane in Bansko and 1 pedestrian path in Vinica connecting green spaces 3. Introduce 1 pilot land pollution information management system (LPIMS) in Bansko Municipality 4. Transfer 1 good practice (LPIMS ) in Vinica Municipality by presentation of the advantages of its use. 5. Organise a mutual "Eco mind" campaign Target groups: 2 municipal administrations , 250 000 residents and visitors of the municipalities; The output of the executed activities are: 0.744 hectares of green zone in Bansko Municipality 0.306 hectares of green zone in Vinica Municipality 1 velo alley and 2 pedestrian paths , connecting the urban green zones A developed and working land pollution information management system which includes the key features described in activity 2.1. Conducted mutual "Eco mind" campaign Transfer of 1 good practice (land pollution information management system) in Vinica Municipality by presentation of the advantages of its use. Ecosystems and their services can be maintained and enhanced by establishing Green Infrastructure (GI) and restoring degraded ecosystems. In order to provide a lasting impact on the ecological infrastructure, the current partnership interacts with in fostering "green" infrastructure in the urban areas and reducing land pollution. Our project proposal pays attention on the positive impact of green infrastructure on land pollution, particularly by promoting and piloting solutions to strengthen the cause-and-effect linkages between them.. We seek cross-border impact with its implementation which is not possible without that specific cross-border partnership. "Ecomind" campaign have an especially positive impact on the cross-border area due to the fact it is conducted in partnership. The current project proposal is innovative by combining and developing three different approaches for development of the cross-boarder region: 1. UGSs development 2. Pilot introduction and implementation of land pollution information management system 3. Eco mind campaign.

Actual Achievements (EN):

During the project period the partners jointly appointed a project team and prepared advance payment request, procurement plan and communication strategy. During the second period both partners focused on public procurements We started the procurement documentation preparation. The contract for Bansko procurement documentation preparation was assigned on 13.12.2024. The contract was assigned according to the value of the procedure in refference to art 20, par. 4.3. ot the Public Procurement Law. The contract for Vinica procurement documentation preparation was assigned on 15.10.2024 according to PRAG Until that moment we are in active communication regarding the development of the procurement documentation. The project has made significant strides during the third reporting period, with both Bansko and Vinica Municipalities achieving important milestones that mark the transition from preparation to implementation. 🛠 Key Progress and Achievements During this phase, Bansko Municipality successfully led the development and finalisation of the procurement documentation for the Works package — a critical step in moving the project forward. This process involved: Thorough internal reviews Consultations with stakeholders Careful alignment with legal, operational, and project-specific requirements The result was a comprehensive and transparent tender package, designed to attract qualified contractors and ensure a fair, competitive procurement process. As a result, the Works procurement was officially published on 05/03/2025, a major milestone that marks the shift from planning and design to actual execution. At the same time, Vinica Municipality played a crucial role in moving the project into the contracting phase. The municipality successfully received all three tender submissions from the selected company, enabling it to proceed with the conclusion of contracts necessary for project implementation. 🤝 Supporting Activities & Cooperation Throughout this period, several coordination and administrative activities helped drive the project forward: Ongoing online communication with the project holder Regular project team meetings and strategic coordination with the Mayor Collaborative efforts with the Ministry of Local Self-Government to support contract preparation and formal approval processes 💶 Financial Overview A total of €2,796.61 has been allocated for external expertise and services supporting the public procurement process. This investment ensured the quality, legality, and professionalism of the procurement documents and procedures. ✅ Objectives Reached & Outputs Delivered Finalised and published Works procurement documentation Launch of the official tender process Receipt of tender submissions enabling the start of the contracting phase Strengthened inter-municipal and institutional coordination Administrative and legal readiness for implementation 🌍 Added Value of the Cooperation This project highlights the strength of cross-border and multi-level cooperation. By working together, Bansko and Vinica Municipalities were able to share expertise, streamline processes, and ensure consistent standards. The involvement of national bodies such as the Ministry of Local Self-Government further reinforced the project’s institutional support and credibility. Such collaboration not only improved the efficiency of the procurement process but also laid a solid foundation for the successful execution of the project’s goals — ensuring that resources are used effectively and the outcomes serve the community in the long term. Bansko Municipality During the fourth period, significant progress was made in the contracting of the activities. As a result of this effort, the following contracts were awarded: 1 Works 2 Construction supervision 3 Authors supervision 4 Pilot land pollution information management system All contracts are in execution stage. Vinica Municipality In the previous period we had this activities: online communication with the project holder, meetings of the project team, meetings with the Mayor and coordinating the activities of the project, activities with Ministry of Local Self – Government for payment of co-financing. During this period the procurement procedure for construction works was also published on both web pages on 30th of May 2025. Also 2 procurement procedures were implemented during this period: single tender procedure. We have signed 2 contracts - Service Contract.

Project outputs: Green infrastructure in Bansko Municipality and Vinica Municipality(EN)
INTRODUCTION OF LAND POLLUTION INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM(EN)
"ECOMIND" CAMPAIGN(EN)

Thematic information

Urban development

Priority: (VI-A_BG-NM_1) Priority1: Greener border region

Priority specific objective: RSO2.7. Enhancing protection and preservation of nature, biodiversity and green infrastructure, including in urban areas, and reducing all forms of pollution

Priority policy objective (Interreg specific objective): PO2 A greener, low-carbon transitioning towards a net zero carbon economy and resilient Europe by promoting clean and fair energy transition, green and blue investment, the circular economy, climate change mitigation and adaptation, risk prevention and management, and sustainable urban mobility

Type of intervention: 046 Support to entities that provide services contributing to the low carbon economy and to resilience to climate change, including awareness-raising measures

Partners (2)

Lead Partner: ОБЩИНА БАНСКО

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 937351159

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 000024663

Address: NIKOLA VAPTSAROV SQUARE, 2770 BANSKO, Bulgaria

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Regional public authority

Website: http://www.bansko.bg

Total budget: EUR 565 790.98

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 480 922.33

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 85.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 84 868.65

Contractors:

Name: AVON-5 LTD
VAT registration or tax identification number: 201103877
Name: MININ INJENERING PLTD
VAT registration or tax identification number: 206496150
Name: LSI LTD
VAT registration or tax identification number: 131451116
Name: A1 BULGARIA EAD
VAT registration or tax identification number: 131468980
Name: TIPI-S.CO PLTD
VAT registration or tax identification number: 811101139
Name: TIPI-S.CO
VAT registration or tax identification number: 811101139

ОПШТИНА ВИНИЦА

Name: ОПШТИНА ВИНИЦА

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 937817244

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 5996929

Address: Str. "Bel Kamen", 2310 Vinica, North Macedonia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: https://vinica.gov.mk/

Total budget: EUR 300 743.37

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 255 631.86

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 85.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 45 111.51

Partners map

Partners and Projects info

VINICA MUNICIPALITY

LET'S INVITE THE NATURE IN OUR CITIES

Partners and Projects info

BANSKO MUNICIPALITY

LET'S INVITE THE NATURE IN OUR CITIES

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Project name (EN): LET'S INVITE THE NATURE IN OUR CITIES

Project acronym: NATURE IN CITIES

Project ID: BGMK0300055

Project start date: 2024-07-02

Project end date: 2027-01-01

Project status: ongoing

Relevant linked projects:

Nature for people and people for nature (EN) | Providing theoretical and practical training helps strengthening human resources in the cross-border region and development of eco-tourism based on the principles of sustainable development, particularly of rural areas where the most of the natural resources are. The trained staff will share knowledge on environment protection, sustainable utilization of natural resources and economic benefits to local people. Furthermore, the project ensures creating a network and establishing cooperation between various departments on both sides of the border through a solid basis for implementing further activities and regional plans for environment management. (EN), ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIONS FOR THE PROMOTION OF ALTERNATIVE FORMS OF TOURISM (EN) | The aim of the project is to protect and promote the rich and diverse natural resources of the area of intervention as a vehicle for balanced and economic development.
The project will develop new alternative forms of tourism of environmental interest in order to provide a new mechanism for improving quality of life in the region. The actions that the project will undertake include the development of an alternative tourism area at Mountain Vertiskos, development of an Environmental Awareness Raising Centre at Belasitsa Nature Park, elaboration of alternative tourist routes, creation of digital tourism maps etc. (EN), Integrated urban waste-managment model (EN) | As EU societies become wealthier they create more waste. OECD estimates that every EU citizen generates 550kg solid waste per year and this number is likely to increase to 640kg by the year 2020. To address the rising waste stream, urban areas need effective municipal solid waste management (MSW) concepts that not only build upon innovative new technologies (e.g., in the recycling field), but also make use of new forms and sources of financing as well as new conceptual approaches (e.g., ways to extend producers’ responsibilities and to involve citizens). While EU legislation is a backbone to support this process, the further development of the MSW management concepts and their enforcement lies within the responsibility of local and regional authorities. Overall objective The operation “IUWMM - Integrated Urban Waste Management Model” unites public sector decision makers, expert organisations and universities to develop effective, flexible and practical tools for integrated MSW management. In addition, partners want to increase awareness among public sector decision makers, explore the potential to obtain EU funding for MSW management, and encourage long-term networking among the partners and with other national and EU-wide networks. integrated MSW management across the EU, supports the harmonized implementation of EU policies, and has positive impacts on the environment. Activities include the identification of state-of-the art techniques for MSW management, the joint development of good-practice models and their adaptation to the needs of the participating regions. Based on a series of international workshops and policy forums, partners harmonize MSW management concepts and tools and elaborate handbooks on the key elements of optimal integrated MSW management. Partners also establish an "EU MSW Management Platform" and develop regional action plans for all ten participating EU regions. (EN)

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 866 534.35

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 736 554.19

Total EU funding (co-financing rate): 85.00%

Co-financing sources:

IPA/IPA II/IPA III: Amount, EUR 736 554.19. Co-financing rate, 85.00%.

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

(bullets are inserted automatically and may be incorrectly placed)

Deliverables:

LP - Developed green zone
LP -Developed green zone
LP- Developed green zone
LP-PUBLIC PROCUREMENT DOCUMENTATION FOR WORKS, BANSKO
PP2 - Developed green zone
PP2- Developed green zone
PP2- PUBLIC PROCUREMENT DOCUMENTATION FOR WORKS, VINICA
LP-Introduced Land pollution information management system (LPIMS)
PUBLIC PROCUREMENT DOCUMENTATION FOR LAND POLLUTION INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, BANSKO
LP -Communication campaign
LP- Transferred practice
LP-Public procurement documentation for organization of ECOMIND" CAMPAGN", BANSKO
PP2-Communication campaign
PP2-Transferred practice
PP2-Public procurement documentation for organization of "ECOMIND" CAMPAIGN, VINICA

Contribution to wider strategies and policies:

EuropeanGreenDeal The current project proposal will contribute to European Green Deal, the EU Green Infrastructure Strategy, the Biodiversity strategy for 2030 and the new EU circular economy action plan (CEAP).
Climate change and environmental degradation are an existential threat to Europe and the world. To overcome these challenges, the project proposal offers a modern approach to healthy ans clean environment. The activities provide a comprehensive and ambitious plan to restore nature and reverse the degradation of ecosystems. It will also support a green recovery following the Covid-19 pandemic.
Te project proposal provides ecological, economic and social benefits through natural solutions. It wil help to the understanding of the value of the benefits that nature provides to human society and to mobilise investments to sustain and enhance them. It will also help providing green infrastructure which is a sustainable solution.
EU circular economy action plan (CEAP):The new action plan announces initiatives along the entire life cycle of products. It targets how products are designed, promotes circular economy processes, encourages sustainable consumption, and aims to ensure that the pollution is prevented and the resources used are kept in the EU economy for as long as possible.
Other The project proposal is in compliance with the spatial plans of Vinica Municipality, as well as national, regional and local strategic, planning and regulatory documents. It contributes to the execution of The Integrated plan for local development of Vinica municipality 2019-2023. Тhe project proposal will contribute to the following strategic goals Strategic Objective 1 Improving the quality of life through modern infrastructure, urban planning, healthy living environment; PRIORITY4: Improving the quality of the environment, MEASURES: 4.3. Improving air quality; 4.5 Protection and preservation of the environment.
It will also contribute to the municipality's Tourism Development Strategy 2020-2024 where the vision is "Vinica is a recognizable tourist destination which, through a system for sustainable development of the ecosystem and protection of cultural and historical heritage that ensure a contemporary and modern experience for visitors”.
The municipality has several significant strategic documents such as Strategy for climate change of Vinica municipality 2015-2025, in which the vision of the citizens is adopted: the municipality of Vinica is an ecological and energy-efficient municipality with rational management of water and forest resources, developed tourism and production of healthy food - a prerequisite for a quality life.
Other The project proposal is in compliance with the spatial plans of Bansko Municipality, as well as national, regional and local strategic, planning and regulatory documents. It complies also withe the PLAN FOR INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT OF BANSKO MUNICIPALITY (2021-2027) and will contribute to the achievement of Strategic Objective 1. Transformation of Bansko Municipality into a more attractive and sustainable territory. Strategic Objective1. targets at the transformation of the municipality into a more attractive and sustainable one, respectively in the direction of accelerating the development of creative and recreational industries by exploiting the potential of local resources and cultural diversity and protecting the environment for future generations by protecting biological diversity and ecosystems , improvement of atmospheric air quality, prevention and adaptation to climate changes, as well as development of ecologically clean productions, organic agriculture, shortening of supply chains, circular and low-carbon economy.

Deliverable (other than infrastructural investment) areas:

Bulgaria (BG), BANSKO, Land property with identifier 02676.501.9059 , cadastral map , 2770
Severna Makedonija (MK), Vinica, between Gradechka river and , Kej 30 Avgust Str, 2310
Bulgaria (BG), BANSKO, NIKOLA VAPTSAROV SQUARE, 1, 2770

Programme Common Output Indicator:

RCO 116 - Jointly developed solutions, Measurement unit:
RCO 084 - Pilot actions developed jointly and implemented in projects, Measurement unit:
RCO 036 - Green infrastructure supported for other purposes than adaptation to climate change, Measurement unit:

Programme Output Indicator:

PSI-O1 - Habitats supported for better protection status to acquire, Measurement unit: number
PSO 1: Length of rail reconstructed or modernised - in the Romania-Bulgaria cross-border area, Measurement unit: Km
PSI1 BCCP facility constructed/upgraded, Measurement unit: Number

Programme Common Result Indicator:

RCR 104 - Solutions taken up or up-scaled by organisations, Measurement unit:
RCR 095 - Population having access to new or improved green infrastructure, Measurement unit:

Programme Result Indicator:

RI_CP1 - New or networked or expanded offers for tourism and cultural sites, Measurement unit: Offers
OP1 (i) - Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that introduce innovations in their products or processes, Measurement unit: number of SMEs
OP1 (i) - Organizations that cooperate across borders after the end of the project, Measurement unit: number of organizations
PSI-R1 - Endangered animal and plant species for which protective measures are supported, Measurement unit: number
PSR 1: Organisations with increased institutional capacity due to their participation in cooperation activities across borders, Measurement unit: Organisations
PSR 1 - Organisations with increased institutional capacities due to their participation in cooperation activities across borders, Measurement unit: organisations

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

Financing programme

2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-A IPA Bulgaria North Macedonia

Last month that data in keep.eu was retrieved from the Programme's website or received from the Programme

2025-10-01

No. of projects in keep.eu / Total no. of projects (% of projects in keep.eu)

15 / 15 (100%)

No. of project partnerships in keep.eu / Total no. of project partnerships (% of project partnerships in keep.eu)

66 / 66 (100%)

Notes on the data

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LET'S INVITE THE NATURE IN OUR CITIES

Description

Thematic information

Partners (2)

Partners map

Summary

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

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