From October 7 to October 10, 2024, the SUNRISE project brought together its partners for a productive and inspiring regular project meeting in Sofia, Bulgaria. Hosted at the Rosslyn Central Park Hotel, this gathering facilitated collaboration, progress assessment, and planning for future initiatives.

Tuesday, October 8, 2024 : Presentations and Planning

The day commenced with a welcome coffee and opening remarks in the “Dimyat” Hall. Hosts HFH Bulgaria and the Housing Initiative for Eastern Europe (IWO) set the tone with a brief introduction and agenda presentation. 

Highlights of the Day:

• HOAs and Renewable Energy: HFH International captivated the room with a presentation on the financial potential of homeowner associations (HOAs) in adopting smaller renewable energy measures. This discussion planted seeds for creative strategies.  
• Pilots in Focus:  HFH Bulgaria, HFH Macedonia, and Lithuanian Consumers Alliance: Country teams shared challenges, triumphs, and lessons learned, offering a rich mosaic of experiences.  
• Hurdles and Hope: From technical barriers to community engagement successes, each narrative emphasized progress and perseverance.

The day concluded with a journey into Sofia’s spirit—a guided walking tour unveiling its architectural gems.

Wednesday, October 9, 2024: Site Visits and Cultural Exploration  

The day featured excursions showcasing practical outcomes and Bulgaria’s rich heritage.

• Visit to Dupnitsa Municipality: Participants met the mayor of Dupnitsa Parvan Dangov and toured six social housing apartments equipped with Plug-in PV systems on their balconies.  
• Rila Monastery Tour: After lunch attendees explored the historic monastery — a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  

Reflection and Future Steps

The meeting in Sofia reaffirmed the SUNRISE project’s commitment to sustainable energy solutions and transnational collaboration. By combining presentations, site visits, and cultural engagement, it created a dynamic platform for innovation and partnership.

Stay tuned for updates on upcoming SUNRISE initiatives and achievements!

This project is part of the European Climate Initiative (EUKI). EUKI is a project funding instrument of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection (BMWK). The EUKI competition for project ideas is run by the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ). The overall objective of EUKI is to promote climate cooperation within the European Union (EU) in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. www.euki.de/en