This introductory activity aims to provide an appropriate environment for smooth implementation, good management and coordination of project activities, as well as to guarantee the most efficient spending of funds. Good organization and competent management is a prerequisite for a positive result of the project implementation and achievement of the set indicators.

The activity includes the following tasks: - forming a project team and defining individual duties and responsibilities;

• establishment of principles for internal and external communication, coordination and monitoring of the implementation of activities and spending;
• regular meetings of the team members to monitor the technical and financial progress of the project, to report on the results achieved and to resolve problems encountered in the implementation process;
• maintain ongoing communication with the Program Operator in order to ensure project transparency, reporting irregularities and resolving issues requiring the intervention of the funding body.
• preparation of procurement documents for the selection of contractors for the individual project activities;
• management and monitoring of subcontractors using common screening techniques such as: regular meetings, site visits and others;
• preparation of interim and final technical and financial reports, payment requests;
• project completion and archiving. Throughout the project implementation period Haskovo Municipality will strive to ensure a clear and transparent implementation of the project, as well as to measure the quality of the results achieved and the effect of its impact.

Pursuant to Order No. 584 of 08.04.2021 of the Mayor of Haskovo Municipality a project management team has been formed and the individual duties and responsibilities of each of the experts have been defined. Meetings of the project management team have been organized and held in order to set specific tasks for implementation.

A plan for all outsourcing involving the Project has been prepared and approved by the Programme Operator. 

All procurement activities under the Public Procurement Act have been completed and all contracts with contractors have been signed and entered in the ISUN 2020 system as follows:

- for the independent financial audit of the project: contract No 269/27.08.2021.

- for the implementation of information and publicity activities of the project: contract No 260/11.08.2021.

- for the supply of stationery: contract No 197/15.07.2020

• for the implementation of construction work for the Project: contract No 324 of 13.12.2021;
• for the implementation of information and publicity measures through the supply of goods included in the list referred to in Article 12(1)(1) of the Public Procurement Act under the Project - concluded contract No. 279/09.09.2021.
• for the provision of interpretation and translation services for the Project - Contract No 260/04.10.202.

The inaugural press conference and the official ceremony for the start of construction work were held.

Еxecution of the work for the four locations within the scope of the Project started on 31.01.2022 with the opening of the construction sites and work proposed are currently being performed.

Currently, the project management team is implementing the following activities:

- supervision of the implementation of the contracts signed with contractors: construction work, information and publicity, etc.

- on-site visits in connection with the execution of the work at the four locations within the scope of the Project on a regular basis.

- inspection of the construction documentation in connection with the execution of the work, including reports and certificates under Ordinance No. 3 on drawing up reports and certificates during construction, declarations of conformity, etc.

Ongoing archiving of the file containing all documentation related to project management is taking place.

The aim of this activity is to make society aware of the real changes in the lives of the people which are being achieved through the Financial Mechanism of the European Economic Area, to promote the opportunities offered by the Instrument, and the achieved results by working together for a greener, more competitive and more inclusive Europe.

The measures envisaged for implementation will increase public awareness, attract public interest, encourage participation in project activities, clarify the opportunities and benefits of the project, and ensure transparency and openness in its implementation.

The focus will be on providing information related to the project's features, sustainability and results.

The aim is to bring information to the public and stakeholders through the use of a multifaceted approach for optimizing the chance of success.

The level of awareness of individual stakeholders is taken into account throughout the preparation and implementation of the communication measures.

The basic factors affecting the decisions to be implemented include:

• use of positive "speaking" and easy to understand messages;
• reaching out to people in their local environment, using their preferred media, local channels of information and comprehensible language;
• establishment and consolidation for team recognition; monitoring and evaluating information and communication activities in order to verify their effectiveness, efficiency and relevance. The implementation of the activity is in accordance with the criteria laid down in the Communication and Design Manual of the Financial Mechanism of European Economic Area and the Norwegian

Financial Mechanism 2014-2021 and Financial Mechanism of EEA Implementing regulation 2014-2021.

Haskovo Municipality publishes regular information on the progress of the Project on its official website:

https://www.haskovo.bg/article/12365/obshchina-khaskovo-startira-izplnenieto-na-proekt-rekhabilitatsiya-i-modernizatsiya-na-sistemi-za-vnshno-osvetlenie-v-obshchina-khaskovo

The following activities have been implemented:

1. Development, hosting and maintenance of a web site for promotion of the project in Bulgarian and English and broadcasting regular publications in it: 1 no.;

2. Billboard: 4 nos.;

3. Reusable roller with a carry case - 1 no.;

The website developed for promoting the project Rehabilitation and Modernization of Systems for Street Lighting of Haskovo Municipality is located at: https://ra-ab.site/bg/

On 27.01.2022 the project inaugural press conference was held.

On 31.01.2022 the official ceremony for the start of construction work was organized and held.

After the energy efficiency audit of the street lighting system on the territory of the village of Garvanovo, Haskovo Municipality, it was revealed the presence of inefficient or missing lamps and luminaires for the relevant class of a street, as well as a depreciated cable and pillar property, faulty circuit breakers and poor condition of the switchboards. Illumination measurements show that installed lighting in the populated area does not meet the requirements of the applicable standards. It is often necessary to repair breakdowns due to damage to the power cords. Underground cables have to be excavated, which is related to a violation of transport communications and their restoration. Most of the luminaires have highly deteriorated diffuzers, which do not provide the sufficient luminous flux, leading to poorly lit streets which do not meet the needs of the population. A problem with the maintenance of street lighting is the need for frequent replacement of defective lamps. In order to visualize more clearly the current status of the street lighting in the village of Garvanovo, the following base values should be taken into account: - Installed power of street lighting - 31.97 Kw. - Light points - 252 pcs. - Annual power consumption of street lighting - 137 471 KWh. - Annual expenses for electricity consumption from the system for street lighting - 22 765,20 BGN. - CO 2 emissions - 162.2 t /year. After a technical inspection, measurements of the street lighting system and analyzes of electricity consumption, the condition of the street lighting was found to be unsatisfactory, which necessitates the replacement of light sources and improvement of the infrastructure connected to the lighting network - replacement of depreciated and unusable parts and units in the facility.

On 31.01.2022 a construction site opening certificate (Form 2a) was signed by all participants in the construction process and the works are currently being executed in accordance with the approved investment project and signed contract.

The system of external artificial lighting in the village of Vaglarovo, Haskovo Мunicipality, is morally and physically depreciated. The energy efficiency survey found there were no efficient lamps or no lighting for the street class, as well as a depreciated cable and pillar property, faulty starting equipment and poor condition of the switchboards. As a result of these factors, the real brightness and illumination is actually lower than the required compliance with Bulgarian standards. In this condition, street lighting does not accomplish its intended purpose as a factor for the safe movement of vehicles and pedestrians and the creation of a safe and aesthetic night environment in the populated area. After a technical inspection, measurements of the street lighting system and analysis of electricity consumption, it was found that the condition of the street lighting was unsatisfactory: - Installed power of street lighting - 42.953 Kw. - Light points - 320 pcs. - Annual power consumption of street lighting - 184 696 KWh. - Annual expenses for electricity consumption from the system for street lighting - 30 363.98 BGN. - CO 2 emissions - 217.94 t /year. It is necessary to replace the light sources, build a management system based on a prepared investment project, as well as improve the infrastructure related to the lighting network (replacement of depreciated and unusable parts and components in the facility).

On 31.01.2022 a construction site opening certificate (Form 2a) was signed by all participants in the construction process and the works are currently being executed in accordance with the approved investment project and signed contract.

As a result of the long exploitation, the existing street lighting in the village of Klokotnitza, Haskovo Municipality is physically and morally obsolete. The current light system has different types of luminaires, mainly mounted on reinforced concrete pillars with different heights of the installed luminaires. Most of the luminaires have a highly deformed light distribution. Currently used street lighting cartridges are metal cabinets are not protected against vandalism. In some places there are cartridges - deteriorated, corroded, with non-closing doors, obsolete equipment in them and unreliable electrical power. Frequent troubleshooting is required due to damage to the power cords. For underground cables, this is related to the excavation of transport communications and their restoration. When measuring the illumination, it was indicated that the installed working luminaries in Klokotnitsa do not meet the requirements of the current standards. The illumination in the population place is intermittent, low and on the other hand the lighting system is energy inefficient. In order to visualize the current status of the street lighting in the village of Klokotnitza, the following baseline values should be taken into account: - Installed power of street lighting – 33.351 Kw. - Light points - 227 pcs. - Annual power consumption of street lighting – 143 405 KWh. - Annual expenses for electricity consumption from the system for street lighting – 23 630.40 BGN. - CO 2 emissions – 169.22 t /year. With a view to modernizing and optimizing the street artificial lighting in the village of Klokotnitza, it is envisaged to replace all the lighting fixtures, install a system for automatic control and to build an installation for the production of electricity for its own needs from renewable sources.

On 31.01.2022 a construction site opening certificate (Form 2a) was signed by all participants in the construction process and the works are currently being executed in accordance with the approved investment project and signed contract.

As a result of a technical inspection, measurements of the street lighting system and analyzes of electricity consumption in Bolyarovo, Haskovo, Haskovo Municipality, the condition of the street lighting was found to be unsatisfactory. The street lighting of Bolyarovo does not meet the requirements for luminance, dazzle, medium and longitudinal uniformity of lane illumination. The illumination is volatile, low and on the other hand the lighting system is energy inefficient. The data from the analysis of electricity consumption and costs on the baseline of street lighting in Bolyarovo are presented as follows: - Installed power of street lighting – 43.520 Kw. - Light points - 361 pcs. - Annual power consumption of street lighting – 187 168 KWh. - Annual expenses for electricity consumption from the system for street lighting – 29 871.60 BGN. - CO 2 emissions – 220.85 t /year. These factors lead to the necessity of modernization of street lighting in Bolyarovo in accordance with current European requirements and new technical developments. In the results of energy efficiency audit of an external artificial lighting system, recommendations were made for replacement of all luminaires, construction of an automatic control system and construction of an installation for the production of electricity for own needs from renewable sources.

On 31.01.2022 a construction site opening certificate (Form 2a) was signed by all participants in the construction process and the works are currently being executed in accordance with the approved investment project and signed contract.

A team of experts from Haskovo Municipality will participate in a 3-day expert exchange in Oslo, Norway. The program will include meetings with representatives of the Municipality of Holle and the Oslo Municipal Association, with the aim of exchanging experiences and good practices on the topic "Energy Efficiency in Norway", including municipal EE strategy, the role of lighting on the city and life, financial models (PPP, TPF, ESCO, Leasing, Factoring), planning, etc., as well as site visits, with implemented measures for improvement of lighting of municipal infrastructure. A two-day meeting will also be organized in Haskovo, as a unique opportunity to obtain useful information for concrete implementation of good practices and successful solutions in the field of EE. Measures related to technologies, innovations and modernization of municipal infrastructure, reduction of energy costs in the municipal budget, extension of the lifetime of municipal infrastructure will be discussed. The event will also introduce other options and working models for reducing energy consumption. Two guest speakers from Norway, with extensive international experience in developing, managing and consulting projects for local economic development, innovation and technology transfer, will speak about smart cities, innovative methods of energy renovation and the possibilities of turning the ideas in reality here in Haskovo Municipality. In addition to offering numerous examples and good practices in the field of EE, and building and developing the capacity of Bulgarian experts, the activity will strengthen communication and cooperation at expert level between the two partners and will create opportunities for making future joint plans and establishing sustainable partnership.

In the period 14 - 18 June 2022 a meeting was held in Oslo, the Kingdom of Norway, in connection with the execution of the project "Rehabilitation and Modernization of Outdoor Lighting Systems in Haskovo Municipality", which is being implemented with the support of the Financial Mechanism of the European Economic Area, to exchange good practices and solutions between experts from Haskovo Municipality and INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT NORWAY (IDN) Association. The visit was also intended to establish long-term cooperation in the field of energy efficiency.

On behalf of Haskovo Municipality the following experts participated:

- Dayana Dobrikova Georgieva – Acting Executive Director of the Architecture, Urban Planning, Construction and Investment Directorate, and Project Manager;

- Radoslav Kirilov Vanchev - Chief Budget Expert of the Finance, Accounting and Budget Directorate, and Project Financial Expert;

- Banko Hristov Banev - Head of OP Sector and Project Legal Advisor.

Upon arrival in Oslo on 15 June 2022, the team from Haskovo Municipality, together with a delegation from Veliko Tarnovo Municipality, and Mr. Anders Stolan (IDN representative) held a workshop, after which a heat pump facility located in a Fornebu heat plant was visited. The programme also included a visit to a school on the outskirts of Oslo, where a heat and energy efficiency system built in 2021 was presented. Experts from the municipalities and the Partner's experts exchanged ideas and discussed how such systems could be implemented in Bulgaria and how economically viable it would be to do it.

On 16.06.2022, together with the delegation from Veliko Tarnovo Municipality, and Mr. Anders Stolan, a visit to Norsk Energie, a company with 105 years of history in heating and energy efficiency systems, took place. A workshop was held there and Mr. Banko Banev gave a presentation on the progress of the project "Rehabilitation and Modernization of Outdoor Lighting Systems in Haskovo Municipality" with the financial support of the Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency, Energy Security Programme under the European Economic Area Financial Mechanism (EEA FM). The representatives of Veliko Tarnovo Municipality also presented the progress of their similar project.

Norsk Energie experts explained in detail the company's activities, the Norwegian energy efficiency policy, the concept of energy efficiency of buildings, the specific requirements for renewable energy and energy planning of the municipality. Discussions were held on the presented topics and ideas for their implementation in Bulgaria were jointly considered.

On 17.06.2022, a roundtable discussion was held on the climate change threats. Good practices and ideas for reducing the impact on climate and our environment were shared.

As a result of the visit of the Haskovo Municipality delegation, outlining  of the framework of the extended cooperation with the Norwegian partner on the next approved joint project "Transition to Climate Resilient Communities", under Open Call No. 3 "Climate", Programme "Environmental Protection and Climate Change", financed  by the EEA FM, also took place.

The financial audit of the project will be carried out with the aim of guaranteeing proper and accurate spending of the budget, and to confirm the legality, advisability and effectiveness of the spent funds. Regarding Haskovo Municipality, the audit of the project will be carried out by a registered auditor, a member of the Institute of certified public accountant or an audit firm, which will conduct monitoring procedures on the spending of funds throughout the entire course of the project. The auditor’s report will be implemented into the final financial report. The activity will be carried out on an ongoing basis, and final audit reports will be prepared in the last month of the implementation of the project – “Report of Factual Findings “. When preparing it, the auditors must verify that the costs declared by the Beneficiary under the Grant Contract - Haskovo Municipality - are actually incurred, accurate and eligible in accordance with the contract. The costs incurred by the Partner will be provided in a report by an independent auditor qualified to carry out statutory audits of accounting documents or issued by a competent and independent public officer recognized by the relevant national authorities, certifying that the claimed costs are incurred in accordance with the Regulation, the relevant law and national accounting practices.