From left to right: Angel Burov, the Union of Urban Planners in Bulgaria; Stanimira Nikolova, Sofia’s municipal urban planning agency Sofiaplan; Stanislav Stanev, Sofiyska voda, part of Veolia, the company operating the water and wastewater system for the city of Sofia; Moderator: Ivo Anev, The Team of Sofia

Forum brings together municipality, business, and experts around the idea that nature-based solutions are becoming an economic imperative

Floods in Bulgaria can cause average annual damages of over BGN 114 million and affect nearly 137,000 people, according to estimates from the Danube River Basin Flood Risk Management Plan. Experts believe the real figures are significantly higher. For the capital, the estimated annual damage is around BGN 8 million—a forecast that is also considered seriously underestimated.

These figures served as the starting point for an expert forum organized by WWF Bulgaria, The Team of Sofia, and The Collective Foundation, bringing together representatives from municipal administration, state institutions, business, the insurance sector, and the scientific community. The shared focus: how nature-based solutions (NBS) can move from a conceptual approach to practical urban policy.

“Water stewardship is becoming an extremely important objective. In Sofia, we have many water resources that require a comprehensive vision, both in the context of climate change and toward a circular economy,” said Sofia’s Deputy Mayor Nadezhda Bobcheva, who opened the event.

During the forum, pilot concepts for implementing nature-based solutions in various parts of Sofia were presented—along the Iskar River and in the neighborhood of Manastirski Livadi East.

WWF Bulgaria showcased a summary report featuring good practices for integrating nature-based solutions in urban settings, drawing from experience across Europe and globally. The organization also introduced a virtual platform that offers guidance and tools for sustainable water management for businesses.

Participants agreed that climate change and growing urbanization demand new models for water management that treat nature as an ally, not an afterthought.

The insurance sector showed increasing interest in the topic. Industry representatives pointed out that the lack of structured information and shared databases on vulnerable and high-risk areas in Sofia hampers effective risk assessment and prevention planning. The need for improved institutional coordination and better access to data was highlighted. Business representatives further emphasized that adapting to climate risks and managing water sustainably is increasingly seen as part of corporate ESG commitments.

“Flood risk management must become part of an ongoing, structured inter-institutional dialogue involving local and national authorities, operators, businesses, the scientific community, and civil society,” said Diana Dimitrova, Conservation Director at WWF Bulgaria. “Only through coordinated efforts and the systematic application of nature-based solutions can Sofia build a more resilient and safer urban environment capable of adapting to climate challenges,” she added.