In brief
At a Sofia event, the World Bank Group will discuss its report "Green and Inclusive Futures: Building Opportunity in the Green Transition," outlining Bulgaria’s strides in poverty reduction and the persisting challenges linked to the green economy. The assessment is slated to inform the EU Anti‑Poverty Strategy and Bulgaria’s Social Climate Plan, offering policy recommendations aimed at protecting families during the transition to a low‑carbon economy.
The World Bank Group is slated to present its latest poverty and equity assessment in Sofia, shedding light on Bulgaria’s strides in reducing poverty while confronting the environmental ramifications of a green transition.
The event, set for 2026, will bring together key officials from the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy, the Ministry of Energy, and civil society partners to discuss the report titled Green and Inclusive Futures: Building Opportunity in the Green Transition.
World Bank Group representative Jason Pellmar, Bulgaria’s Country Manager, will outline the report’s findings, while Minister of Labour and Social Policy Nataliya Efremova and Deputy Minister of Energy Lyubomira Gancheva will provide governmental perspectives.
The assessment examines the forces that have driven Bulgaria’s progress in poverty reduction and overall well‑being, drawing attention to the groups and regions that remain behind.
It also considers how the green transition and EU carbon pricing mechanisms could affect household budgets, a growing concern as energy costs rise across the country.
Policy proposals aim to shield families from the financial impacts of environmental reforms; they include targeted social safety nets, green job support, and incentives for low‑carbon household upgrades.
These recommendations will serve as a foundation for discussions on the upcoming EU Anti‑Poverty Strategy, informing how a low‑carbon economy can coexist with social inclusion.
In parallel, the findings will shape Bulgaria’s Social Climate Plan, ensuring that climate resilience and poverty alleviation efforts are closely aligned.
The workshop in Sofia underscores the World Bank Group’s commitment to integrating environmental sustainability into equity frameworks, illustrating that climate action can accelerate social progress.
By aligning poverty reduction with green policy, Bulgaria seeks to build a more equitable and resilient future for all its residents.
