SOFIA DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION was founded as non-profit organization with the decision 348
of the Sofia Municipal Council to work for the sustainable development of the capital.
THE NEW CLIMATE SHELTER IN SOFIA TRANSFORMS A NEGLECTED URBAN SPACE INTO A COMMUNITY HUB
A neglected municipal courtyard in Sofia’s Draz Mahala neighborhood has been transformed into an urban climate shelter – a place that offers rest and coolness during the summer heat, while revitalizing one of the city’s more vulnerable areas. The pilot project by the Sofia Development Association, under the Be Ready project of the Interreg Danube Region Programme, co-funded by the EU, turned 350 square meters of unused municipal land into an attractive green space co-designed with local residents.
Located near Lion’s Bridge – one of the city’s busiest and most heat-exposed transport arteries – the climate shelter responds to a pressing urban challenge: the growing impact of urban heat islands. The area is home to a significant number of vulnerable citizens and disadvantaged groups, including elderly people, low-income households, and migrants.
The transformation began in May with a workshop that brought together residents, students, artists, NGO representatives, and migrants to shape a shared vision for the space and define its community needs. What followed was a dynamic collaboration that engaged over 130 citizens and the Sofia Development Association team in volunteer activities and artistic interventions.
Through joint effort, the site was cleaned up, all sealed surfaces were replaced with permeable ones, and a shaded relaxation area with a water mist cooling system was built. In a neighborhood where there is only one public drinking fountain per 50,000 residents, the installation of a new one is a major benefit. With expert guidance from the University of Forestry and ecologists from Serdika District, climate-resilient trees and plants were planted, along with a small community herb garden. The climate shelter also includes other ecological features such as composting, a rainwater collector, an insect hotel, and birdhouses.
Young artists and designers from Studio Vazel brought the space to life with visual art and installations that tell stories and engage visitors in environmental care.
The climate shelter has been warmly welcomed by local residents, offering a new space for relaxation, amenities such as blood pressure measurement, board games, opportunities to work in the herb garden, and to host small community events. The pilot project was carried out with the support of municipal councillors from the Sofia Development Association’s Board of Directors and the district administration, and was highly praised for its innovative approach, inclusive design, and effective use of municipal property for public benefit.
The project proved the feasibility of the urban acupuncture concept – creating small, smartly designed “pocket parks” that bring relief where large-scale investments are not possible.
Be Ready is an Interreg Danube Region Programme project co-funded by the European Union.
PEER REVIEW VISIT IN VARAŽDIN
On October 3-4, 2025, the Bulgarian partners in Be Ready, Sofia Development Association and Bureau for Integration and Social Innovations, visited the city of Varazdin for a peer review of the local pilot.
The intervention chosen by the city was implemented at Mali plac, a small urban square in Varaždin, identified as one of the city’s urban heat islands in the city’s vulnerability and risk assessment report, part of Be Ready’s UHI assessment methodology. The selected area is a residential zone, with brick and panel apartment buildings from the 1980s and 1990s. The location had not undergone any investment or upgrade since its construction, which had left the space outdated, lacking shade, with very little green coverage. Due to the lack of greenery and adequate infrastructure, the square is exposed to excessive heat during the summer months, creating uncomfortable and often unsafe conditions for citizens, especially for vulnerable groups such as the elderly and children.
Within the framework of the BeReady project, the Development Agency North, in cooperation with the City of Varaždin, designed and executed the intervention based on “white measures” aimed at mitigating the urban heat island effect. The intervention included the construction of three new canopies providing much-needed shade during peak summer heat. The space was additionally equipped with new urban furniture such as benches, tables, and swings, making it more attractive, functional, and user-friendly for the local community. New solar panels will be installed and will provide lighting of the canopies.
The peer review visit coincided with a public launching event at the pilot site, which brought together many residents, stakeholder organizations (such as the Faculty of Geotechnical Engineering, the Faculty of Science (University of Zagreb), the Red Cross, the Institute for Spatial Planning of Varaždin County, HEP – Croatian Electricity Company, the Architects’ Association of Varaždin, Parkovi Varaždin (municipal company for green areas), and the Regional Energy Agency. The mayor of the city also attended, reaffirming the city authorities' committment to continue the efforts for making Varaždin more climate change resilient.
It is estimated that around 2,000 people will benefit directly from the improved microclimate and infrastructure during the summer months, while the indirect benefits extend to the wider community of Varaždin by providing a model for climate adaptation that can be replicated in other neighborhoods.
The approach applied at Mali plac is relatively simple, low-cost, and easily replicable; it is in line with Be Ready’s methodology for testing acupuncture measures to address UHI effects. Similar interventions — such as installing shading structures and equipping public spaces with basic urban furniture — can be implemented across different neighborhoods in the city. By targeting other identified urban heat islands, the municipality can gradually improve microclimate conditions throughout Varaždin, creating a network of cooler, more comfortable public spaces that directly benefit residents and visitors alike.
Be Ready is an INTERREG Danube Region project co-financed by the European Union.
CHISINAU AND GALATI REPRESENTATIVES VISIT MUZEIKO AS SOFIA GOOD PRACTICE FOR CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION
As part of a peer review exchange under the Be Ready Project, implemented in the framework of Interreg Danube Programme and co-financed by the European Commission, municipal representatives from Chisinau (Moldova) and Galati (Romania) visited Sofia to explore urban strategies for adapting to rising temperatures and mitigating urban heat.
A key highlight of the exchange was the visit to Muzeiko – Sofia’s Municipal Children's Science Center. The center, designed with sustainability at its core, provided an inspiring look at how educational institutions can contribute to climate awareness. Through engaging exhibitions on climate change, ecology, and sustainability, curated by scientists, educators, and designers, Muzeiko fosters curiosity and environmental responsibility among young visitors.
Muzeiko also presented its green roof, and shared insights on developing climate shelters, rain gardens, and other sustainable urban infrastructure. The center's integrated sustainable management serves as a model for future climate adaptation efforts.
The exchange highlighted strong potential for transnational replication of Sofia’s good practices, contributing to a more climate-resilient Danube Region through shared learning and collaboration.
This project is supported by the Interreg Danube Region Programme co-funded by the European Union.
PEER REVIEW HIGHLIGHTS CLIMATE ADAPTATION AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT IN SOFIA
In a collaborative step towards building more resilient cities, representatives from the Municipality of Chișinău and the Association for the Development of Galați visited Sofia for a peer review focused on climate adaptation. Hosted by Sofia Development Association, the visit provided partners with an up-close look at Sofia's pilot project—an innovative initiative aimed at transforming urban infrastructure while fostering community participation. Located near Lion’s Bridge - a densely built urban area particularly vulnerable to the urban heat island effect, the pilot involves the renovation of a municipal building yard into a climate refuge, a public space designed to mitigate heat stress through urban greening, shade structures, water features, and accessible seating. The pilot project is implemented in the framework of Be Ready project, Interreg Danube Programme, co-funded by the European Union.
The site serves not only as a cool zone during extreme heat but also as a model for integrating sustainable urban design with public engagement. The pilot project highlights how rethinking underused municipal spaces can contribute meaningfully to climate resilience.
A key highlight of the peer review visit was the dialogue with local leaders and changemakers. Partners from Chișinău and Galați held fruitful exchanges with Sofia Municipal Councilors Ekaterina Yordanova, SDA board chairperson, Sevdelina Petrova, and Tsvetelina Zarkin, with Serdika District Mayor Momchil Daskalov and Deputy Mayor Dilyana Stoyanova, who shared insights into the local governance and policy efforts enabling such climate adaptation projects. These discussions emphasized the critical role of local political will and cross-sector collaboration in implementing sustainable urban solutions. Decision-makers underscored the importance of aligning municipal priorities with both climate goals and community needs.
The visit also celebrated the contribution of young artists from the Knot studio, whose public artworks now animate the climate refuge space. Their installations not only beautify the area but also serve as storytelling elements that engage the local population in climate awareness.
The project has brought together a diverse network of stakeholders, including B'Cause Foundation, CleanTech Bulgaria, Green Sofia, and JTI, illustrating how the private sector and civil society can support municipal efforts. These partnerships strengthen the pilot’s impact and open doors to future scalability and replication in other urban settings.
Volunteers and local residents have also been involved in shaping the space, reinforcing the idea that community engagement is essential in the success and longevity of climate adaptation efforts. The peer review affirmed that tackling the challenges of urban heat requires more than technical solutions; it demands inclusive planning, artistic expression, political commitment, and cross-border learning.
As cities across Europe face mounting climate pressures, such exchanges highlight the power of shared knowledge and solidarity in building more livable, resilient urban environments.
To stay informed, please visit the website and the social media accounts of the BeReady project: website (https://interreg-danube.eu/projects/be-ready ), Facebook https://www.facebook.com/bereadyprojecteu, LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/beready-project/.
Be Ready is an INTERREG Danube Region project co-financed by the European Union.
GOOD PRACTICES FOR COOLING URBAN SPACES
Be Ready project partnership, coordinated by Sofia Development Association, developed a collection of practical solutions from the Danube region cities how to mitigate urban heat effect and improve outdoor thermal comfort. The examples come from 21 cities in 11 countries and present different approaches: from increased green spaces and vegetation, to using cool and reflective surfaces on buildings and pavements and implementing water features. Diverse practices are presented: creating water surfaces, opening a garden education center, developing “mobile forests”, cooling art installations, parishes open doors and many more. All practices have one thing in common: they involve residents in planning and implementing the cooling strategies to ensure solutions are effective and tailored to local needs.
The Mapping report with good practices is available here.
To stay informed, please visit the website and the social media accounts of the BeReady project: website (https://interreg-danube.eu/projects/be-ready ), Facebook https://www.facebook.com/bereadyprojecteu, LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/beready-project/.
Be Ready is an INTERREG Danube Region project co-financed by the European Union.
SOFIA CLIMATE SANDBOX WORKSHOP
Open air co-working space for civil society organizations, heat asylum for the community, community vegetable garden, community rain collectors, seating area with tables and board games, a demonstration site showcasing urban heat islands mitigation measures, yard art residency and environment civic education classroom – these are just some of the co-creation ideas how to transform a neglected municipal yard on 55 Veslets Street, Sofia. This Climate sandbox workshop was organized by Sofia Development Association and Bureau for Integration and Social Innovations in the framework of Be Ready project. It brought together a variety of stakeholders to design together a road map for Sofia pilot project implementation.
The pilot venue is selected to be in area of Lavov most (‘Lion’s Bridge’), one of the major crossroads in Sofia, in Draz mahala, close to the central railway station and central bus station. The pilot implementation, aiming to create a climate refuge from the urban heat islands, will start in July 2025, using the participative approach of its ideation and co-creation of the urban environment.
This project is supported by the Interreg Danube Region Programme co-funded by the European Union.