The National Trust Ecofund (NTEF) contributes to sustainable environmental protection and a better quality of life by implementing innovative holistic approaches and changing mindsets at the local and national levels.
NTEF manages funds and finances projects for environmental protection, energy efficiency, and addressing climate change.
The funds managed by the NTEF are provided under a Debt-for-Environment swap, an intergovernmental agreement from the trading of assigned emission units (AEUs) for greenhouse gases under Article 17 of the Kyoto Protocol, from the early auctions of the European Emissions Trading Scheme, from the sale of greenhouse gas emission allowances for aviation activities, as well as funds provided under other types of agreements with international, foreign or Bulgarian sources of financing intended for environmental protection in the Republic of Bulgaria.
The National Trust Ecofund was established in 1995 through the mechanism of transforming part of Bulgaria's debt into environmental protection projects - the "Debt for Environment" deal - an agreement between the governments of the Swiss Confederation and the Republic of Bulgaria.
Over the 30 years of its operation, the National Trust Ecofund has financed 515 projects of municipalities, schools, universities, companies, institutes of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, non-governmental organizations, etc., located in over 150 municipalities. The total value is over 270 million leva. The funds provided by the NTEF to the beneficiaries amount to about 121 million leva, with the average percentage of grant funding being about 46% (min. 19%, max. 85%).
The most characteristic of the National Trust Ecofund over the years is that it always does things for the first time – without the opportunity to take a ready-made model and apply it. There has always been a need for creativity based on knowledge and reliable information. In managing the specific projects that are financed by the NTEF, there is a lower administrative burden compared to other programs and we work directly with the beneficiaries. They are partners of the Fund.
Annual reports on all our work over the years
