First JUSTGREEN stakeholder meeting in Burgas, Bulgaria
Greening policies are at the heart of sustainable urban development, but our partner cities can't tackle this challenge alone. Local partners and initiatives play a crucial role in shaping these policies. That’s why the JUSTGREEN partnership places such a strong emphasis on stakeholder collaboration. Throughout this partnership, our cities host stakeholder meetings—not just to update participants on the latest JUSTGREEN progress, but to gather vital insights and support for enhancing their greening strategies. Central to this process is the JUSTGREEN scorecard, a powerful tool that helps cities and their stakeholders assess the current state of greening efforts and track ongoing improvements.
On June 26th, the Municipality of Burgas in Bulgaria hosted its inaugural stakeholder meeting for the JUSTGREEN project. The event was held in the Peyo Yavorov Regional Library—the largest library in Southeast Bulgaria, offering an inspiring backdrop for this important gathering. The meeting aimed to introduce the JUSTGREEN project and delve into its key themes. Experts from various sectors, including municipal and state administration, social institutions, private businesses, and NGOs, participated in the seminar.
The event kicked off with an opening address by Mrs. Maya Ruseva, Director of the "Strategic Development" Directorate in the Municipality of Burgas. She also announced the establishment of the "Local Unit for Sustainability and Climate Adaptation" an initiative inviting stakeholders from diverse fields to join forces. This collaborative unit is poised to be a driving force in tackling the climate challenges that Burgas is facing.
During the working panel, attendees engaged in dynamic discussions, exploring the strengths and weaknesses of Burgas in terms of greening and access to quality green spaces. The Municipality of Burgas presented its planned activities for the JUSTGREEN project, which include not only enhancing the effectiveness of greening and climate adaptation policies but also actively involving the communities most vulnerable to the climate crisis in the design and implementation of these policies.