On February 25, 2026, at SofiaLab, the Sofia Action Plan to Tackle Urban Heat Islands was officially presented and endorsed — marking an important milestone for our joint efforts toward a more climate-resilient city.
As a key partner in the Be Ready Project, Bulgarian Institute for Standardization and Innovation (BISI) actively supported the development of the Action Plan together with the SDA project team and Sofia Municipality. The document was prepared in alignment with the framework and requirements of the Interreg Danube Region Programme, ensuring consistency with European standards for integrated territorial development.
Quality assurance was an essential step in the process. The draft Action Plan underwent peer review by Association Technopol (Romania), whose expert recommendations further strengthened the strategic focus and practical applicability of the proposed measures.
The working meeting convened representatives of the local coalition established at the outset of the project, as well as Bulgarian Climate Ambassadors under the European Climate Pact. This broad participation reinforced the link between local urban policies and the objectives of the European Green Deal, while also facilitating wider dissemination of the Be Ready experience.
Through active dialogue and constructive exchange, stakeholders collaboratively refined the measures under the three specific objectives, defining clear priorities, timelines, and resource allocations. The strong endorsement received during the meeting reflects a shared commitment to transforming urban heat challenges into coordinated, forward-looking action for sustainable urban development in Sofia.
