A Unique Institution That Has Proven Its Reliability and Resilience Over Time
This was the key message in the speeches about the National Trust EcoFund (NTEF) delivered by official guests, donors, beneficiaries, and supporters at a special event marking the 30th anniversary of the EcoFund. The celebration took place on June 2nd in the Aula Magna of Sofia University.
“The history of the EcoFund is important: it clearly illustrates the value of well-functioning institutions,” said Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund and one of the founders of NTEF back in 1995. “Everyone who has contributed to the EcoFund’s work can be proud. It helps protect our water, air, and biodiversity — the natural heritage we are obligated to preserve and pass on to our children and grandchildren.”
“The role of the NTEF over the years has been crucial as a partner to the state in developing environmental policies — in advancing energy management, implementing climate adaptation measures at the municipal level, and using tools to mobilize private funds for public projects,” stated Manol Genov, Minister of Environment and Water.
Ambassadors of donor countries Germany and Switzerland, Irene Plank and Raimund Furrer, as well as the World Bank’s Resident Representative in Bulgaria, Lasse Melgaard, and other conference participants also offered greetings and wishes for continued success.
“The National Trust EcoFund is a large community of like-minded individuals and allies. What we celebrate today is 30 years of co-creation — of ideas, projects, and policies,” emphasized Prof. Dimitar Nenkov, Chair of the NTEF Management Board.
In her speech, Maria Minkova, Director of the NTEF Executive Bureau, made several commitments regarding the fund’s future work: to always seek the new and the unknown; to continue collaboration with existing partners while also forging new ones; to maintain a focus on initiatives that transform institutions and people’s lives; to base decisions on scientific knowledge; to remain a “boutique institution” — specialized but more recognizable and with a broader range of beneficiaries; and to continue developing models and mechanisms for financing environmental projects — contributing both to policy and practice.
The National Trust EcoFund manages funds and finances projects focused on environmental protection, energy efficiency, and climate change mitigation. The fund was established in 1995 through the “Debt-for-Environment” swap agreement between the governments of the Swiss Confederation and the Republic of Bulgaria. Since its inception, the EcoFund has financed 515 projects for municipalities, schools, universities, companies, institutes of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, NGOs, and others across more than 150 municipalities. The total value of these projects exceeds 270 million BGN, with NTEF providing around 121 million BGN in grants.
Priority Areas of the National Trust EcoFund:
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Reducing air pollution and mitigating climate change;
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Supporting the national ecological network and preserving biodiversity;
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Water management;
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Remediating environmental pollution and damage inherited from the past.
For the 19th consecutive year, the “Mimi Pramatarova” Nature Conservation Awards were presented — named after the first director of Rila National Park. The 2025 theme was “Renovated Mountain Lodges in Rila.” The first prize went to Desislava Kehayova from “Vasil Dimitrov” High School in Madan. Five other students from Samokov, Silistra, and Bobov Dol also received awards.
Honorary plaques were presented to the fund’s founders, chairs of the Management Board, and donors.
