Green Pulse Cross-Border Pact
Programme 2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-A IPA Bulgaria North MacedoniaDescription
Pilot establishment of G-PACT Urban EsS Network in the Bulgaria - North Macedonia CBC area(EN)
Jointly developed Action plan for sustainable EsS Network in the BG-MK region(EN)
Thematic information
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 (4)
Lead Partner: Община Петрич
PIC (Participant Identification Code): 882711350
Partner’s ID if not PIC: BG000024916
Address: Tsar Boris III Str., 2850 Petrich, Bulgaria
Department address: Bulgaria
Legal status: public
Organisation type: Local public authority
Website: http://www.petrich.bg
Total budget: EUR 415 201.92
Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 352 921.63
Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 85.00%
Partner contribution: EUR 62 280.29
Contractors:
-
Name: "SKAYLAB 1" LTD.
VAT registration or tax identification number: BG205903489
- Сдружение "Заедно за Сандански"
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Name: Сдружение "Заедно за Сандански"
PIC (Participant Identification Code): 880682595
Partner’s ID if not PIC: 176921225 | 176921225 | Unique identification code (EN)
Address: "Stanke Dimitrov" St., 2800 Sandanski, Bulgaria
Department address: Bulgaria
Legal status: public
Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs
Total budget: EUR 49 060.13
Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 41 701.11
Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 85.00%
Partner contribution: EUR 7 359.02
- Здружение "Центар за развој и промоција Промо Идеа – Струмица"
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Name: Здружение "Центар за развој и промоција Промо Идеа – Струмица"
PIC (Participant Identification Code): 886453610
Partner’s ID if not PIC: 4027008502790
Address: “Bratstvo Edinstvo” Str., 2400 Strumica, North Macedonia
Department address: North Macedonia
Legal status: public
Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs
Website: http://promoidea.org.mk
Total budget: EUR 51 565.42
Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 43 830.60
Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 85.00%
Partner contribution: EUR 7 734.82
Contractors:
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Name: Metodi Gonev
VAT registration or tax identification number: 1205995460003 -
Name: Ekspo Scenario DOOEL Skopje
VAT registration or tax identification number: 4030004515634
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Name: Metodi Gonev
- Oпштина Струмица
-
Name: Oпштина Струмица
PIC (Participant Identification Code): 936261752
Partner’s ID if not PIC: 4027005145902 | N/A | N/A (EN)
Address: “Sando Masev” Str. , 2400 Strumica, North Macedonia
Department address: North Macedonia
Legal status: public
Organisation type: Local public authority
Website: http://www.strumica.gov.mk
Total budget: EUR 429 308.01
Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 364 911.80
Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 85.00%
Partner contribution: EUR 64 396.21
Partners map
Lead partner
Project partner
Summary
Project acronym: G-PACT
Project ID: BGMK0300051
Project start date: 2024-07-01
Project end date: 2026-12-31
Project status: ongoing
Relevant linked projects:
- Project “Biodiversity and ecosystem services network (BES-NET)" PHASE II (EN) | The Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Network (BES-Net) is a collaborative effort among UNDP, UNEP-WCMC, and UNESCO, supported by the Government of Germany’s Climate Initiative (IKI) and SwedBio, aiming to promote the conservation of biodiversity and sustainable use of diverse ecosystem services which will translate into strengthened resilience for the planet and human welfare. The G-Pact project has the potential to have synergies with the Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Network (BES-Net) Phase II project. Projects share a common goal of promoting the conservation of biodiversity and the sustainable use of ecosystem services. G-Pact can benefit from the knowledge and expertise developed under BES-Net Phase II. It can collaborate with BES-Net to exchange information, research findings, and best practices related to biodiversity conservation, green infrastructure, and ecosystem services in urban areas. This collaboration can enrich G-PACT's understanding and approach to these topics. G-PACT's activities related to green infrastructure and urban development may benefit from policy insights and recommendations generated by BES-Net Phase II. Collaboration with BES-Net can help G-PACT align its project outcomes with relevant international and national policies related to biodiversity and ecosystem services. In summary, the project can enhance its impact by collaborating with BES-Net Phase II, benefiting from shared knowledge, expertise, and resources in the field of biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services. This synergy can contribute to the successful implementation of G-PACT's objectives and promote sustainable urban development in the project's target areas. (EN), CB006.2.12.132 “Protection of the local population from the municipalities Petrich and Strumica from natural and man-caused disasters”, funded under the Second call for project proposals of the Interreg IPA CBC Bulgaria-North Macedonia programme (EN) | Current project is a continuation of the established long time ago cross-border partnership between Municipality of Petrich and Municipality of Strumica. Project CB006.2.12.132 “Protection of the local population from the municipalities Petrich and Strumica from natural and man-caused disasters”, funded under the Second call for project proposals of the Interreg IPA CBC Bulgaria-North Macedonia programme, identically to G-PACT promoted the joint efforts of the 2 municipalities for addressing cross cutting issues which are common for them. (EN), Improvement of the urban environment in I regulate land property XLIV, square 53, designated as a "city park", funded under Procedure BG16RFOP001-1.035 Implementation of integrated plans for urban reconstruction and development 2014-2020 (EN) | G-PACT project and the construction of the new Green Pulse twinning park in Petrich has a synergy with LP's constant efforts for increasing the green spaces in the town. MP has a previous project for Improvement of the urban environment in I regulate land property XLIV, square 53, designated as a "city park", funded under Procedure BG16RFOP001-1.035 Implementation of integrated plans for urban reconstruction and development 2014-2020. Within the previous project of LP a complete renovation of a certain area designated as a city park was carried out, which included the replacement of the amortized alley network, the lighting, the renewal of the vegetation, the construction of a lake, a climbing wall and several playgrounds for children of different age groups, as well as the installation of new and various elements of park furniture (benches, fountains, bins, etc.). (EN)
Total budget/expenditure: EUR 945 135.48
Total EU funding (amount): EUR 803 365.14
Total EU funding (co-financing rate): 85.00%
Co-financing sources:
- IPA/IPA II/IPA III: Amount, EUR 803 365.14. Co-financing rate, 85.00%.
Investments, deliverables, policy contributions
(bullets are inserted automatically and may be incorrectly placed)
Infrastructure investments:
- I1.1 - Green Pulse twinning park in Petrich (Stage I) - EUR 369 034.89 - country: Bulgaria (BG), town: Petrich, street: Sando Kitanov Str., N/A, postal_code: 2850, Yugozapaden (BG41), Blagoevgrad (BG413)
- I1.2 - Green Pulse twinning park in Strumica - EUR 398 729.43 - country: Severna Makedonija (MK), town: Strumica, street: h.e. Karposh Strumica, N/A, postal_code: 2400, Severna Makedonija (MK00), Jugoistočen (MK004)
Deliverables:
- LP- Constructed Green Pulse twinning park in Petrich
- LP-Ensured author's supervision for the construction works in Petrich
- LP- Endured site supervision for construction works in Petrich
- PP2- Constructed Green Pulse twinning park in Strumica
- LP/PP2 -Temporary information boards
- LP/PP2-Permanent boards
- LP/PP2 - Official openings of the sites
- All PPs-"Urban Nature Lens" Photo Contest and online gallery
- PP3- Physical exhibition with photos from the contest
- All PPs- Free publications on the investments' progress
- PP2-Civil construction supervision for construction works in Strumica
- PP4- Joint Urban Ecosystem Services
- Assessment Methodology
- PP2/PP4-Status reports
- PP4-Joint integrated Action Plan
- LP/PP2-Action plans (AP) for pilot EsS Green pulse parks in Petrich and Strumica
- PP3- Implentation of Green Pulse training modules
- PP4-Implementation of G-PACT Urban EsS Network Seminar
- All PPs- Signed G-PACT EsS Cooperation agreement
- PP4- Developed EsS training packages
- and conducted trainings for EsS sustainable development
- LP/PP2- Improved public awareness on EsS
- PP4- Held competition “EsS development agents”
- PP3-Communication plan of the project
- LP-1 opening press-conference, in Petrich
- PP3/PP4- Promotional materials for PPs
- All PPs- Social media channels for conducting a social media campaign
- All PPs-Free publications on social media/websites of the partners
- All PP4- Paid publications in media
- PP3- 3 Short videos
Contribution to wider strategies and policies:
- EUStrategyAdriaticIonianRegion The G-PACT project aligns with and contributes to the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR) in several significant ways. One of the pillars of EUSAIR is "environmental quality," and G-PACT's primary goal is to enhance nature preservation, biodiversity protection, and sustainable urban development. By creating green urban spaces and improving ecosystem services, the project directly addresses this pillar, contributing to the overall environmental quality of the Adriatic and Ionian region as the strategy involves North Macedonia.
- EUSAIR emphasizes also on capacity building as a cross-cutting issue. G-PACT includes training modules and packages on green project management, renewable energy sources, and ecosystem services. These capacity-building activities empower stakeholders and communities with knowledge and skills that can be applied not only within the project area but also in other regions of the Adriatic and Ionian macro-region.
- EUStrategyDanubeRegion The G-PACT project makes significant contributions to the European Union Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR), particularly in Priority Area 06 (PA 06) focused on Biodiversity, Landscapes, Quality of Air, and Soils.
- By creating and enhancing green urban spaces, including parks and recreational areas, the project contributes to the preservation of local flora and fauna, thereby strengthening the ecological health of the region.
- The project indirectly addresses the issue of Invasive Alien Species (IAS) by promoting the use of native plants and emphasizing the importance of ecological balance.
- The establishment of the Green Pulse Twinning Parks and the broader G-Pact Urban EsS Network exemplifies integrated spatial development and conservation planning. These green urban spaces serve as green infrastructure elements, not only enhancing the quality of urban life but also preserving and restoring critical natural elements.
- EuropeanGreenDeal The G-PACT project makes a substantial contribution to the European Green Deal by addressing several key aspects of the deal's objectives and priorities:
- The project aligns with the European Green Deal's commitment to achieving climate neutrality by 2050. By focusing on the enhancement of green infrastructure, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable urban development, the project contributes directly to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Green spaces, including parks and urban forests, act as carbon sinks and contribute to carbon sequestration, aiding in the journey toward climate neutrality.
- By creating healthier and greener urban environments, the project indirectly reduces emissions from transport and energy use, leading to a more sustainable and low-carbon urban landscape.
- This project actively engages local communities, authorities, and stakeholders in its activities. It empowers these groups to participate in sustainable ecosystem service development, ensuring that the benefits of green infrastructure and biodiversity conservation are accessible to all, regardless of their socio-economic background. This shows contribution to the priority for inclusive growth.
- By creating green urban spaces the project directly contributes to improving the health and wellbeing of urban residents. Access to green areas, recreational spaces, and cleaner air has a positive impact on public health, aligning with the European Green Deal's goal of enhancing wellbeing.
- Other EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 - The project contribute to the objectives of the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 and EU Nature Restoration Plan, which is part of the broader EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 in several ways. The EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 sets ambitious goals to halt biodiversity loss and restore ecosystems, and urban parks can play a crucial role in achieving these objectives.
- Urban parks serve as vital green spaces that mimic natural habitats. When designed with native plants and biodiversity in mind, they can provide homes for various plant and animal species, helping to restore and create habitats within the urban environment.
- The parks also act as biodiversity hotspots by supporting a diverse range of flora and fauna. They can provide shelter, food, and breeding grounds for a variety of species, including pollinators like bees and butterflies, birds, and small mammals.
- Urban parks contribute to ecosystem services such as air purification, water filtration, and climate regulation. These services are critical for urban areas, and the EU Biodiversity Strategy recognizes the importance of nature-based solutions to address various environmental challenges.
- Other Circular Economy Action Plan (CEAP) - The "Green Pulse Cross-Border Pact" (G-PACT) project aligns with the European Union's Circular Economy Action Plan (CEAP). G-PACT focuses on creating sustainable green urban spaces through the construction and renovation of green urban parks. By designing and developing these parks with eco-friendly and recycled materials, the project promotes the concept of sustainable products and circular economy processes. The emphasis on the use of natural and recycled materials, such as wood, in park infrastructure aligns with the CEAP's goal of making sustainable products the norm.
- G-PACT's approach to improving ecosystem services and green urban areas inherently promotes resource efficiency and waste prevention. By enhancing green spaces and urban environments, the project minimizes the need for resource-intensive urban development practices. Additionally, the emphasis on renewable energy sources (for park lighting) contributes to resource efficiency by reducing reliance on finite fossil fuels.
- LP and PP2's efforts to create attractive, sustainable urban green spaces encourage sustainable consumption patterns. When urban residents have access to well-designed and environmentally friendly parks, they are more likely to engage in sustainable leisure activities, reducing the consumption of resources associated with less eco-friendly forms of entertainment.
- G-PACT is a cross-border project that fosters circularity not only in product design and construction but also in regional development. By enhancing green urban spaces and promoting sustainable urban development, the project strengthens regional economies and contributes to the circular economy at a local level.
- Other EU Green Infrastructure Strategy -The project aligns closely with the EU Green Infrastructure Strategy in multiple ways, contributing to the preservation and enhancement of green infrastructure and promoting nature-based solutions in urban development. G-PACT's primary objective is to create green urban spaces, specifically twinning parks in Petrich and Strumica. These green areas are strategically planned natural spaces that improve the quality of the urban environment. By developing these spaces, the project directly contributes to the EU Green Infrastructure Strategy's goal of enhancing green areas in urban settings.
- The project focuses on improving ecosystem services, including air purification and temperature regulation, through the creation of green urban spaces. These services are vital components of green infrastructure and contribute to the well-being of citizens. G-PACT's efforts align with the strategy's aim of maintaining and improving the condition of natural areas to deliver ecosystem services.
- G-PACT emphasizes biodiversity protection in its objectives. Biodiversity is a key aspect of green infrastructure, and by enhancing local biodiversity through the creation of green spaces, the project contributes to the EU Green Infrastructure Strategy's goal of preserving and restoring biodiversity.
- The green urban parks developed by G-PACT provide spaces for recreation and leisure activities for residents. This directly improves the quality of life for citizens, which is a core aspect of green infrastructure. Such spaces contribute to people's well-being and health, aligning with the strategy's focus on enhancing citizens' quality of life.
- Other Green Public Procurement - The partners will ensure the inclusion of additional `green` criteria in tendering whenever legally possible. Thus, by using their purchasing power to choose environmentally friendly goods, services and works, they will make an important contribution to sustainable consumption and production. Horizontal aspects such as the protection of the environment, social considerations or the enforcement of innovation to be taken into account when purchasing a product, service or work will be taken up. PPs will make use of this possibility whenever possible.
- Practicing green procurement will involve sourcing goods and services that are produced and supplied in a sustainable way. When PPs procure goods/services, they will pay attention to the aspects recommended by the Programme and the relevant regulations.
- Other New European Bauhaus initiative - The G-PACT project aligns seamlessly with the New European Bauhaus initiative, contributing to its core values – sustainability, aesthetics and inclusion.
- 1. Sustainability: The project's focus on enhancing green spaces, parks, and recreation areas promotes sustainability by creating environmentally friendly and sustainable urban environments. It demonstrates that sustainability can be integrated into the built environment while improving the quality of life for communities. By promoting biodiversity through planting native species and creating habitats, the project actively contributes to nature protection and regeneration, aligning with the initiative's sustainability goals.
- 2. Aesthetics: The project's emphasis on developing attractive and functional urban spaces demonstrates how sustainability and aesthetics can go hand in hand. It showcases that sustainability doesn't mean sacrificing style or visual appeal in urban planning and design.
- The creation of these flagship green urban spaces exemplifies innovative approaches to green infrastructure and sustainable urban development. They will not only be functional but also aesthetically pleasing, setting a standard for future urban projects.
- 3. Inclusion: The project fosters community engagement by involving local stakeholders, educational institutions, and the public in various activities, including workshops, competitions, and environmental education. This inclusive approach ensures that the benefits of the project are accessible to all members of the community.
- By improving common spaces and promoting cultural assets, the project creates opportunities for social interaction and a sense of belonging.
- The project's environmental education components, including workshops and competitions, can serve as models for interdisciplinary education. They integrate sustainability values into the learning process, helping communities understand the importance of coexisting with nature.
- Other Plan for integrated development of the Municipality of Petrich - 2021-2027. - Project and investment activities of Municipality of Petrich directly contribute to its Plan for integrated development, namely Strategic objective #1. Municipality of Petrich - ecologically preserved region (green and sustainable municipality), Priority 1. Sustainable use of the "clean" territories for leisure, recreation and bio-agriculture, Measure 1.1. Overall construction and management of the green system of the Municipality of Petrich, sub-measure: 1.1.1. Construction and development of public areas for leisure and recreation and green spaces, including physical elements of the environment and green infrastructure for buildings in the context of the New European Bauhaus, activity: 1.1.1.1. Development of the surrounding area of the "Luda Mara" river
- Other Action plan for the implementation of the Sofia declaration on the green agenda for the western Balkans 2021-2030 - The project activities are in line with the Action plan for the implementation of the Sofia declaration on the green agenda for the western Balkans 2021-2030 i.e. to the Action 58. Development of Green Infrastructures and ecosystem connectivity “, which strictly emphasize the importance of deployment of Green Infrastructure and connectivity between the ecosystems and habitats.
- Other National strategy for biodiversity with action plan for the period 2018 – 2023 – North Macedonia - The current project contributes with the National strategy for biodiversity with action plan which contains six mutually supportive and inter-dependent targets (and 20 actions) that correspond to the Aichi Targets, including Target 2. Maintaining and enhancing ecosystems and ecosystem services by establishing green infrastructure and restoring at least 15% of degraded ecosystems.
- Other Program for the development of the Southeast planning region 2020-2024 - The project has a direct contribution to
- Strategic objective 2 “Developing and modernizing the infrastructure in the Southeast planning region” in the part of advancement of spatial and urban planning at the local and regional level and the Improvement of utility and energy infrastructure in order to create a balance and to improve the quality of life of the citizens.
- Strategic objective 5 “Protection of the environment, dealing with climate change and optimal use of natural resources and energy potentials i.e. the Priority measure 5.2.2. Rehabilitation of degraded land on the territory of the region which covers important aspect of sustainable development – the ecological development.
Programme Common Output Indicator:
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RCO 084 - Pilot actions developed jointly and implemented in projects, Measurement unit:
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RCO 036 - Green infrastructure supported for other purposes than adaptation to climate change, Measurement unit:
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RCO 116 - Jointly developed solutions, Measurement unit:
Programme Output Indicator:
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PSI-O1 - Habitats supported for better protection status to acquire, Measurement unit: number
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PSO 1: Length of rail reconstructed or modernised - in the Romania-Bulgaria cross-border area, Measurement unit: Km
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PSI1 BCCP facility constructed/upgraded, Measurement unit: Number
Programme Common Result Indicator:
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RCR 104 - Solutions taken up or up-scaled by organisations, Measurement unit:
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RCR 095 - Population having access to new or improved green infrastructure, Measurement unit:
Programme Result Indicator:
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RI_CP1 - New or networked or expanded offers for tourism and cultural sites, Measurement unit: Offers
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OP1 (i) - Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that introduce innovations in their products or processes, Measurement unit: number of SMEs
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OP1 (i) - Organizations that cooperate across borders after the end of the project, Measurement unit: number of organizations
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PSI-R1 - Endangered animal and plant species for which protective measures are supported, Measurement unit: number
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PSR 1: Organisations with increased institutional capacity due to their participation in cooperation activities across borders, Measurement unit: Organisations
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PSR 1 - Organisations with increased institutional capacities due to their participation in cooperation activities across borders, Measurement unit: organisations
Project part of European Union Macro-Regional or Sea Basin Strategy: EUSDR
Project part of European Union Macro-Regional or Sea Basin Strategy: EUSAIR
EUSAIR Priority (Policy) area / Horizontal action:
EUSAIR Degree of compliance:
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
2025-04-02
No. of projects in keep.eu / Total no. of projects (% of projects in keep.eu)
10 / 10 (100%)
No. of project partnerships in keep.eu / Total no. of project partnerships (% of project partnerships in keep.eu)
43 / 43 (100%)
Notes on the data