This fi-compass Showcase 2019 submission is a video story about three interconnected urban development projects that were undertaken in Sofia, Bulgaria and received loans from the Urban Development Funds of Sofia: the Fund for Sustainable Urban Development (FSUD) and the Sustainable Cities Fund (SCF), co-financed with European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) resources.

The two first projects showcased in the video:

• the construction of a multifunctional sports complex, and

• the construction of Park Vazrazhdane,

received loans from the FSUD, an urban development fund under the JESSICA initiative.

The third project shown in the video:

• the expansion of the park area and construction of a thermo-mineral recreation complex

received a loan from the SCF, an urban development fund for Sofia, which was selected by the Bulgarian Fund of Funds (Fund manager of financial instruments in Bulgaria – FMFIB) in 2018.

The three urban development projects showcased in the video are located next to each other on a previously degraded area which has now become a center of attraction for sports activities, recreation, socialising and entertainment for the residents and guests of Sofia. The implementation of the three projects is a great example of an integrated approach using the financing from the Urban Development Funds of Sofia: FSUD and SCF.

This fi-compass Showcase 2019 submission is a video story about the Old Slaughterhouse – a historical building situated in the Łasztownia district of Szczecin in the West Pomerania region in Poland. With help of a loan from the JESSICA initiative, co-financed with resources from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the Old Slaughterhouse building was restored and is used now to host a number of companies.

In the video, Robert Michalski, Chairman of the Board of the Westpomeranian Agency of Regional Development, explains how the support received from the ERDF financial instrument enabled to proceed with this urban development project and what positive impact this project has on the Łasztownia district and the city of Szczecin. The urban development of the former industrial area of the Łasztownia district is a great example of different involved institutions from the region successfully working together to create a positive impact in Szczecin.

The JESSICA loan was provided to the final recipient, CSL Sp. z o.o., an international logistics company who is the owner of the building. Laura Hołowacz, the CEO of CSL Sp. z o.o., explains in the video the history of the building, how it was renovated with the EU co-financed JESSICA loan and how it is currently used for business but also cultural purposes. She is content that with the renovated Old Slaughterhouse, the Łasztownia district is becoming the new heart of Szczecin. The video story includes also external and inside views of the renovated Old Slaughterhouse building.