OBJECTIVES AND DESCRIPTION General objectives. The overall objective of the ‘Special Programme’ is to assist Bulgaria’s preparation for membership of the EU in relation to the nuclear and energy sectors, especially by facilitating the preparation and implementation of Bulgaria’s early closure decision of these units and the short-term priorities of the Accession Partnership in these areas. This assistance is used to finance a range of projects in relation to the decommissioning process and the energy sector. This is achieved through support to the decommissioning of the designated units at the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant, and measures required for the necessary restructuring, upgrading and modernisation of the energy production, transmission and distribution sectors, and improving energy efficiency. The ‘Special Programme’ contributes to the international efforts to share the financial implications of early closure with the Bulgarian authorities. Specific objectives The purpose of the Fund is to finance or co-finance, through specific grants, two main areas of work:
