The government of Bulgaria last week signed an agreement with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to manage an initial USD 132 million  European Union Cohesion Fund investment grant to improve the country's water supply, sewage and wastewater treatment facilities. This is the first Cohesion Policy backed financial instrument for the water and wastewater sector in Bulgaria.

Investments will support consolidated regional water operators to increase their efficiency and financial sustainability, rehabilitate obsolete infrastructure and reduce water losses. They will also help bring the Bulgarian water sector in line with EU environmental legislation.