People in Kyustendil are into green energy, but worried about their income

People in Kyustendil have real fears about the Green Deal – about jobs, incomes, and energy prices. Local residents remain cautious about change, despite their environmental concerns. In this regard, more information, more certainty, and guarantees that the green transition will not be at the expense of ordinary people are needed.

These are some of the conclusions of a study by the Trend agency on the level of awareness among local residents about the role of EU cohesion policy in supporting their regions. The survey was commissioned by Brand Media Bulgaria as part of the implementation of the project “Career Transition of Opportunities” (TOP JOBS). It was conducted between January 24 and February 2, 2025, among 800 adults in the Kyustendil region.

The survey reveals a complex picture of attitudes towards the Green Deal and European Union policies. It also shows that people are both concerned about the environment and the future of the planet, but also seriously worried about their personal income and job security.

The climate crisis is real – but at what cost?

70% of those surveyed believe that climate change is a real threat to humanity.

However, support for green energy is declining slightly – nearly 74% say it is important for Bulgaria to switch to renewable sources, but this share is 14 points lower than last year. The reason? Concerns that electricity prices will continue to rise.

The Green Deal – hope or threat?

The survey reveals that for the people of Kyustendil, the Green Deal has two main associations: environmental protection (41%) and the closure of thermal power plants (43%). Nearly one-fifth fear they will lose their jobs, and 3% even expect a drop in income.

Seventy-eight percent of concerned respondents say their biggest fear is high electricity prices. In addition to expensive energy, residents fear job losses (53%) and rising living costs (52%).

The survey was conducted at the end of January, which is traditionally the most worrying month economically because we have spent everything during the holidays," explained Dimitra Voeva, who presented the results during the event.

No hope for new jobs

Only 11% believe that the green transition will be fair and create new jobs in the region. Most people (58%) are convinced of the opposite. Young people are more optimistic, but hope diminishes with age.

Voeva explained the low result by the fact that this is a representative survey, i.e. all those who responded are involved in the sector. On the other hand, perhaps the hope that this will happen somewhere further down the line and “may not affect them personally” also plays a role.

Awareness remains low

Although the Green Deal is a frequently discussed topic, 64% of respondents admit that they are not informed about its objectives. Half of the people have never heard of EU-funded projects for regional development. Even when they know about them, they often cannot give specific examples—only 11% can.

Fifty percent of people in Kyustendil are convinced that the Green Deal will at least lead to a cleaner environment. One-fifth expect a better quality of life, and 19% hope for cheaper energy. At the same time, nearly a quarter believe that the deal will not bring any benefits.

Little interest in retraining and starting a business

Only 15% of people would participate in retraining programs. The main reasons for refusal are lack of need (36%), lack of time (23%), and skepticism about effectiveness (22%).

Twenty percent of those surveyed expressed interest in starting their own business, but the main obstacles remain a reluctance to manage (22%) and a lack of knowledge (17%).

On a positive note, however, younger people, who have more free time, are more interested in retraining," said Voeva.

Young people are more open to change

Only 9% would move to another town for work, but among people under 30, this figure is close to 40%. Young people are also more willing to commute to work every day – 7 out of 10 would travel up to an hour if it meant they could earn a living.

How respondents responded

Climate change:

• 70% – a real threat;
• 12% – not a real threat;
• 18% – don't know/can't say.

Compared to a similar survey conducted in November 2023 as part of the “Transition of Opportunities” project, the proportion of people who believe that climate change is a real threat has remained stable. The opinion that it is not a real threat has decreased by 4 points, but the number of those who cannot assess it has increased.

The importance of green energy:

• 38% – extremely important;
• 36% – rather important;
• 10% – rather unimportant;
• 4% – not important at all;
• 12% – don't know/can't say.

There is a noticeable increase in scepticism compared to a year ago.

Awareness of the Green Deal:

• 7% – fully informed;
• 27% – somewhat informed;
• 30% – somewhat uninformed;
• 34% – completely uninformed;
• 2% – don't know/can't say.

What do people associate with the Green Deal:

• 43% – closing down thermal power plants;
• 42% – fighting global warming;
• 41% – protecting the environment;
• 39% – cleaner air/water;
• 19% – job losses;
• 10% – restructuring of the energy sector;
• 7% – energy efficiency of buildings;
• 6% – modernization of the economy;
• 5% – electric vehicles;
• 5% – lower heating costs;
• 4% – recycling;
• 3% – lower incomes;
• 5% – don't know/can't say.

Concerns about the Green Deal:

• 38% – have concerns;
• 57% – don't have concerns;
• 5% – don't know/can't say.

What they're worried about:

• 78% – expensive electricity;
• 53% – job losses;
• 52% – higher cost of living;
• 28% – power cuts;
• 24% – financial losses;
• 21% – business closures;
• 13% – depopulation of the region.

Main advantages of the Green Deal:

• 50% – improvement of the environment;
• 20% – improvement of the quality of life;
• 19% – cheaper electricity;
• 16% – better social conditions;
• 15% – sustainable development;
• 14% – economic development;
• 24% – there will be no advantages;
• 15% – don't know/can't say.

Will the green transition create jobs?

• 11% – yes
• 58% – no
• 31% – don't know

Concerns about job losses:

• 2% – very concerned;
• 3% – somewhat concerned;
• 20% – rather not worried;
• 37% – not worried at all;
• 37% – does not apply to me;

Most desired support from the EU:

• 14% – support in finding a job;
• 9% – financial support for starting a business;
• 8% – training opportunities;
• 7% – work abroad;
• 6% – career counseling;
• 3% – work in another town;
• 38% – does not apply to me;
• 15% – do not know.

Would they participate in training:

• 15% – yes
• 36% – no
• 41% – does not apply to me
• 8% – do not know

Why would they not participate in training:

• 36% – no need;
• 23% – lack of time;
• 22% – do not believe it is useful;
• 18% – their age is an obstacle;
• 17% – their job will not be affected;
• 12% – lack of interest;
• 8% – lack of programs;
• 4% – they would not find a job afterwards;
• 3% – need financial support;
• 1% – do not know.

What would motivate them:

• 16% – free training;
• 14% – training in sought-after professions;
• 10% – training in the region;
• 10% – support in finding a job;
• 8% – practical training;
• 6% – flexible schedule;
• 5% – certificate;
• 17% – nothing;
• 39% – not applicable;
• 6% – don't know.

Preferred areas of training:

• 12% – tourism and services;
• 11% – IT and programming;
• 9% – own business;
• 6% – green energy;
• 5% – healthcare;
• 5% – manufacturing;
• 4% – engineering;
• 3% – education;
• 21% – would not participate;
• 39% – not applicable;
• 7% – don't know.

Translated with DeepL.

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