Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, Germany Environment Agency (UBA), Germany Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN), Germany Ministry of Environment and Waters (MoEW), Bulgaria Green Balkans, Bulgaria Bilateral German-Bulgarian cooperation project to enhance the Natura 2000 implementation in Bulgaria: “Germany’s Experience In Implementing EU Legislation: Natura Management And Financing” Kick-off meeting Sofia, , MoEW, 22, Maria Luiza Blvd. Presented by: Simeon Marin, Green Balkans

Project objectives The overall objective of this project is to assist/facilitate competent authorities in Republic of Bulgaria in the enforcement and implementation of Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of the natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora, and in particular in the planning, management and financing through EU Cohesion/Structural Funds of the National Natura 2000 Network – by passing on the experience of Germany in the above mentioned field. The specific objectives of this project are as follows: To contribute to the development and the strengthening of the administrative capacity at national and regional levels for Natura 2000 site management and implementation of measures for prevention of the deterioration of the target for the Directives habitats and species in line with Art. 6 as well as of the features of the landscape essential for the migration, dispersal and genetic exchange of plant and animal populations and species in relation to ecological coherence of Natura 2000 network; To contribute to the preparation of the relevant administrations to meet their obligations under the requirements for reporting on the Natura 2000 Network to the European Commission; Strengthening of the administrative capacity for financing of the Natura 2000 Network under the “Life+” program, EU Cohesion and the Structural Funds by presenting the EU member states experience in the field and training of the relevant administrations staff.

Target groups Employees of Ministry of Environment and Waters at national and regional level: - Directorate “National Nature Protection Service”, -Directorate “Environmental Cohesion Policy”, -Executive Environmental Agency, -Regional Inspectorates of Environment and Water, -National parks Directorates, -Water basin Directorates; Employees of Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry at national and regional level; Employees of Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works; Pilot municipalities; Representatives of the scientific community; Non-governmental organizations.

Project management and administration Project duration: 12 months, – Budget: Euro Project management and administration: In Germany the project management will be done by - Christoph Rau & Sebastian Beckermann ( ), Federal Environment Agency (UBA), The scientific coordination will be done by - Dr. Axel Ssymank ( ), Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN), In Bulgaria the project administration and consultation will be done by - Asya Doneva, Expert Natura 2000 Division, National Nature Protection Service Directorate, Ministry of Environment and Water Project implementation: Green Balkans – Simeon Marin, Tanya Georgieva Shnell +

Activity 1. Elaboration (Design) of training programs for experts in the target administrations regarding: 1.1 The implementation of the legal requirements of Article 6 of Dir. 92/43/EEC (habitats) – Natura 2000 site management, management plans development and appropriate impact assessment implementation of the investment projects, plans and programs with hints for the administrations. Examples for Commission opinions and EU Court of Justice judgments; 1.2 Improving the ecological coherence of Natura 2000 network – protection of the specific features of the landscape relevant for the migrations, distribution and the exchange of genetic material in the animal and plant populations; 1.3 Reporting to the EC of the Natura 2000 Network – explanation of all needed reports with hints for the administrations; 1.4 Financing of the Natura 2000 Network through the “Life+” program – main principles and conditions; 1.5 Financing of the Natura 2000 Network through the Cohesion and Structural Funds of the EU – planning, preparation and implementation of projects, activities and expenditures acceptable for financing; Products: Summaries on each issue as power point presentation ( slides) and written summary (about 10 pp.) Translation of around 100 pp. Translated materials will by copied for training and workshops.

Activity 2. Elaboration of practical guidance on the implementation of Art. 6 (3) and (4) of the Habitats Directive 2.1. Preparation and issuance of practical guidance on the implementation of Art. 6 (3) and (4) of the Habitats Directive, based on the German experience in that area and taking into account the specifics of the Bulgarian legislation. This guidance will be elaborated in close cooperation with the relevant Bulgarian authorities and the scientific coordination in the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN) Products: 100 pp. translated 2.2. Translation and issuance of relevant documents by the decision of the Scientific Consultant, including German guidelines on the target subjects, examples of good practices etc. Preparation and printing of training sets (Documents, CDs, case studies, multimedia presentations). Documents will be selected with approval of scientific advisor of contracting party (BfN) and project coordinator of Bulgarian Ministry. Products: Equivalent of maximum 600 pages documents will be translated 2.3 Distribution of the issued materials - most of the materials will be distributed through the series of seminars as well as through the administrative network of the MoEW. Products: CD-rom with all materials, copies.

Activity 3. Implementation of the elaborated training programs and presenting of the experience of Germany 3.1 Organization and carrying out of one two-day seminar on the implementation of appropriate impact assessment of the investment projects, plans and programs under Article 6 of the Habitats Directive and the preservation of the ecological coherence of the Natura 2000 network for representatives of the state administration involved in the assessment implementation – experts from the Ministry of environment and Water (MoEW), Directorates “Prevention Activities” and “National Nature Protection Service” and their corresponding structures within the Regional Inspectorates of Environment and Water (RIoEW). Result: 50 participants trained Note: Workshop under 3.1 and two workshops under 3.2 will be combined each after another

Activity 3. Implementation of the elaborated training programs and presenting of the experience of Germany 3.2 Organization and carrying out of two two-day workshops (on two locations – Sofia and Varna) on the implementation of appropriate impact assessment of the investment projects, plans and programs under Article 6 of the Habitats Directive and the preservation of the ecological coherence of the Natura 2000 network for registered experts under the EIA legislation, representatives of the scientific institutions and major universities, non-governmental organizations Result: 60 participants trained Note: Workshop under 3.1 and two workshops under 3.2 will be combined each after another

Activity 3. Implementation of the elaborated training programs and presenting of the experience of Germany 3.3 Organization and carrying out of one one-day seminar on conservation status, monitoring and reporting to the European Commission of the Natura 2000 Network – explanation of all needed reports with hints for the administrations. Participants/Experts from MoEW, RIoEW, the Executive Environmental Agency, scientific institutions and environmental NGOs will be invited to this seminar. Result: 30 participants trained

Activity 3. Implementation of the elaborated training programs and presenting of the experience of Germany 3.4 Organization and carrying out of one three-day workshop on Natura 2000 site management, management plans development and financing of the Natura 2000 Network and its management - principles and terms of financing under the “Life+” program, the EU Cohesion and Structural Funds; planning, preparation and implementation of project proposals; identifying of the activities and expenditures acceptable for financing. On this workshop will be invited participants/experts from the beneficiary institutions under the Bulgarian Environmental Operational Programme, namely: MoEW, RioEW, National Park Directorates and Nature Park Directorates. Result: 50 participants trained

Activity 4. Presentation of examples of best practices in the project target areas and organization of study visits for experts of the target institutions Organization and implementation of one study visit for experts from the administration (Directorate “National Nature Protection Service” and Directorate “Cohesion Policy for Environment” within MoEW) to the relevant German institutions involved in the practical management of Natura 2000 sites. Supplemented by practical training sessions on site within selected Natura 2000 sites and protected areas. Result: 4 experts from target institutions trained on German experience on Natura 2000 implementation

Time schedule Activity 1: Design of training : Activity 2: Translation and dissemination of materials : Activity 3: implementation of training : Activity 4: study visit German administration: Submission Final report: Check of final report: Final approval: Coordination meetings: ; 09,2009; ;