SUB REGIONAL WORKSHOP REPUBLIK OF SERBIA, 1-3 APRIL 2008 BULGARIA’S MOST SUCSESFUL PROJECTS funded by the Global Environment Facility

Integrating Global Environmental Issues into Bulgaria’s Regional Development Process (Rio Conventions Project)  Focal Area: Multi-focal (BD, CC, LD)  Strategic Priority: Capacity Building  Major Goal: Strengthening the capacity of Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works and Ministry of Environment and Waters for integration of the three Rio Conventions in the policies for regional development and spatial planning in Bulgaria UN Convention on Biodiversity Framework Convention on Climate Change Convention to Combat Desertification

Medium Sized Project Project Duration Nov, 2006 – Oct, 2010 Project Budget Total: USD 1,528,000 Global Environmental Facility: USD 499,000 Government of Bulgaria: USD 1,029,000

Expected Outcomes from the Project  Developed Training Program Package for experts from state institutions, regional administrations, municipalities and other interested experts for integration of global environmental issues (GEI) into planning processes  Developed Set of Indicators which can measure the impact of the implementation of Strategies and Plans for regional development (RD) and spatial planning (SP) over the environment  Models for Update of plans and programs for RD and SP in order to improve their environmental “performance”

Project Progress: Training Program Development  Initiated cooperation with Sofia University and Central European University, Hungary  Conducted Training Needs Analysis of 58 public officials  Developed pilot curriculum, training materials and exams

Project Progress: Indicators Development  Survey: National Data Sources Relevant to the Implementation of the Rio Conventions  Survey: Domestic Best Practices in GIS Use for Planning Purposes  Initial set of 70 international and national indicators relevant to the Rio Conventions Implementation compiled

Forthcoming Activities in 2008 Pilot Testing of the developed Training Program Round Table: Development of a Set of Indicators for monitoring the integration of GEI in the RD and SP Development of Methodology for integration of GEI in RD and SP Pilot testing of the agreed indicator system Guidelines and training for NGOs and public officials: Stimulating Public Participation for Integration of GEI in RD and SP

Danube Wetland Restoration in Bulgaria Wetland Restoration and Pollution Reduction Project GEF TF BUL

What will be done?  The project will assist the Government of Bulgaria to: Restore critical priorities wetlands in the Danube river basin and make use of the wetlands in riparian zones as nutrient traps; and Promote protected areas management and the sustainable use of natural resources.

What are the Project Components and Subcomponents?  A: Wetlands Restoration Restoration of Belene Island and Kalimok/Brushlen wetlands Including detailed engineering design and supervision  B: Protected Areas Management Monitoring program Public awareness and environmental education Strengthening capacity of institutions involved in the management of natural resources within the protected areas.  C: Project Coordination, Management and Monitoring Project coordination and management Project monitoring and evaluation

Wetland Restoration and Pollution Reduction Project GEF  Located within Persina Nature Park (21,000 ha).  Proposed area for restoration 1300 ha.  Level of inlet structures 18 m asl.(baltic system)  Bottom level of former lakes 18 m;  Regulated flood level up to 20,5 m asl.;  Average annual flooding duration days;  Retention time 14 days. Restoration Site # 1- Belene Island

What will be the anticipated Benefits from the Project?  Benefits at the local level reduced nutrient load increased species diversity established and developed environmentally- friendly economic activities  Benefits at the global level reduced transboundary load increased biodiversity

Restoration Site # 1- Belene Island

What will be the anticipated Benefits from the Project?  Benefits at the local level reduced nutrient load increased species diversity established and developed environmentally- friendly economic activities  Benefits at the global level reduced transboundary load increased biodiversity

What are the recent outcomes ?  Increased capacity for protected areas management planning  Key priority activities for protected areas management are implemented and improved status of the habitats used in sustainable manner by the local communities.  Detailed and effective system for monitoring is developed and it is compatible with the existing systems in the region

What are the recent outcomes ?  Increased public awareness and assessment by the local authorities of the functions and economic value of the wetlands and protected areas (PAs) as well as effective implementation of the Program for biodiversity conservation  Capacity building of the institutions involved in the natural recourses management in both PAs  Increased capacity of the administrations of PAs and Ministry of Environment and Water for project management.

What is the progress?  Increased capacity of the units responsible for the project implementation (PCU and PAs administrations)  Increased capacity of the local stakeholders and communities through the Project training program  Implementation of the two grant programs

Project “Conservation of Globally Significant Biodiversity in the Landscape of Bulgaria’s Rhodope Mountain” The project objective is to assist the people in the Rhodopes in protecting the local nature and working for the economic, cultural and social development of the region. Planned Duration: 5 years with US$ 18,201,706 Direct GEF Financing: US$ 3,545,460 - GEF

What is the progress?  20 initiatives supported under the Programme for Demonstration Projects in the fields of sustainable forestry, ecotourism, sustainable agriculture and biodiversity conservation;  28 Municipality Focus Groups Created;  GIS in support of economic and territorial planning in the Rhodope region established (database is regularly being upgraded);  Voluntary Monitoring Network piloted (in support of the National Biodiversity Monitoring Programme under the Executive Environment Agency);

What is the progress?  Rapid assessment of 21 protected areas in the Rhodope utilizing the RAPPAM approach carried out;  6 large scale field surveys finalized strengthening the Projects biodiversity baseline as well as supporting the development of the NATURA 2000 Network in the Rhodope;

Project “Conservation of Globally Significant Biodiversity in the Landscape of Bulgaria’s Rhodope Mountain”  Pilot project to test the Bulgarian Forest Certification Standard and to certify four forest systems in the Rhodope Region;  Yearly Lessons Learned developed and disseminated;

Project “Conservation of Globally Significant Biodiversity in the Landscape of Bulgaria’s Rhodope Mountain”  More than 600 people trained in GIS utilizing, biodiversity friendly forest management, environmental impact assessment, start you own environmentally oriented business, public private partnership, etc.  Publications on benefits which environmental services provided, integration of RIO Conventions, Protected Areas in the Rhodope Region, etc. published and disseminated;

SGP and RODOPE PROJECT COORDINATION  Similar application documents and procedures  Joint information dissemination campaign  2 projects coordinated  Rodope project funds pilot phase of a bycicling eco trial and SGP up-scales to a mountain through route  SGP funds eco tourism development in Dospat municipality and Rodope project supports local eco torusim plan development

SGP Project results for two years of operation in Bulgaria  5 visitor centers  16 eco trials  8,8 kW – for hot water and 400 W – el.  5 meteorological stations  84 hа organic farming  82 hа agroforestry  2 animal farms  2 POPs campaigns

BULGARIA’S BEST PRACTICIES FUNDED BY GEF Thank you for your attention !