ASORI, KYUSTENDIL MUNICIPALITY AND THE NORWEGIAN UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT WILL ENGAGE CITIZENS IN ADDRESSING AIR POLLUTION
ASORI and the Municipality of Kyustendil are starting work on a project called “For clean air Kyustendil”, subsidized by the ACTIVE CITIZENS FUND BULGARIA PROGRAM, part of the EEA GRANTS 2014-2021 , with a total amount of funding of EUR 70,027.17. The project aims to increase citizen engagement with and commitment to environmental protection and has a deadline the 30.08.2021. The project is launching with a press conference on the 15.10.2019 in the town of Kyustendil at 14.00h.
The project aims to increase civil engagement, stimulate initiative and volunteerism and produce a positive change in the behavior of the citizens of Kyustendil Municipality in order to improve air quality.
The main objective of the project is to build partnerships between institutions, businesses, academia and citizens for joint initiatives that aim to improve the quality of the atmospheric air. At the same time, the project focuses on changing citizens' attitudes and inspiring a recognition of the personal responsibility and contribution to the protection of the air in the Municipality of Kyustendil. The involvement of the Norwegian University of Agriculture and Rural Development is crucial in adapting Norwegian experience and know-how in sustainable development of local communities, through citizen participation.
One of the most important activities that citizens of the municipality should participate in is the process of formulating and implementing the municipal environmental policies. In order to maximize the efficiency of this process, measures are being taken to change consumer habits against the use of solid fuels for heating purposes, as they are one of the leading causes for air pollution and respiratory diseases.
Kyustendil is amongst the municipalities that continue to report higher air pollution levels. Carbon dioxide emissions in the atmosphere are often twice as high as the national average, equally affecting the environment as well as people's daily life and health. The leading causes for air pollution in the region are the use of both solid and liquid fuels for heating purposes, the transportation and the relief of the area.
This is ASORI's second project focusing on promoting civic participation in the development and implementation of municipal environmental policies. Up to date, the association has a successful partnership with Vidin municipality on the same topic as well.
