New partnerships on public space security and cultural heritage will enter the EU's Urban Agenda

Deputy Minister Nikolova: EU's Urban Agenda is gaining increasing popularity as a tool for overcoming the challenges of localities

Security in public spaces and cultural heritage in European cities will enter the EU's Urban Agenda as topics for partnership development. This was announced at a meeting of the Director Generals for urban issues in the EU held in Sofia under the chairmanship of Deputy Minister Denitsa Nikolova. The meeting was dedicated to the implementation of the EU's Urban Agenda and was hosted by the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works, whose areas of competence include the issues of territorial cohesion and urban policy.

The EU's Urban Agenda was adopted by the Amsterdam Pact in May 2016. It is focused on the development of 12 partnerships related to the modern challenges cities are faced with. Common solutions for the development and future of cities will be sought for issues such as the common problems of European cities related to migratory pressures, worsened urban infrastructure and environment, and high unemployment rates. Partnerships enable cities, regions, Member States, EU institutions and stakeholders to work together to find common ways to improve urban areas in the EU. They are also aimed at facilitating access to EU funding, encouraging the combination of funds from different EU funds. Bulgaria is partnering on 4 of the topics through the participation of 3 Bulgarian cities – Sofia (on Digital Transition), Burgas (on Urban Mobility) and Gabrovo (on Innovative Public Procurement) and the Ministry of Environment and Waters (on Climate Adaptation).

During the meeting, Deputy Minister Nikolova noted that a total of 21 proposals were made from the Member States for inclusion of new topics. “A study has shown that there is a majority to expand the number of partnerships over 12. To make a step forward, the Bulgarian Presidency collated the proposed new topics and merged the similar ones with the potential to be implemented together and in an integrated way,” she said. Member States came together around the decision to start preparing two new partnerships - Security in Public Spaces and Culture and Cultural Heritage, which are at an advanced stage.

Deputy Minister Nikolova pointed out that the meeting has a special focus on the EU's Urban Agenda since it takes an increasingly important role in the priorities of the Member States and the European institutions related to urban issues. “We think this is a good approach to focusing on the EU's Urban Agenda and its implementation mechanism as well as on overall progress,” she said.

During the meeting, a review of the progress of the 12 Partnerships was presented, with an emphasis on their contribution to horizontal issues. The first results of the partnerships launched within the EU's Urban Agenda were also presented.