1. LAG ‘’PRESPA’’ ON THE TERRITORY OF THE MUNICIPALITIES OF BANITE, LUCKY AND CHEPELARE

2. BULGARIA IN EUROPE

3.  Area: 110 000 km²  Population: 7.4 million people  Capital city: Sofia  Language: Bulgarian  Currency: BGN leva   Important dates:  independence: 22.09.1908  member of Europe: 01.01.2007

5. The Rhodopes are a mountain range in Southeastern Europe, with over 83% of its area in southern Bulgaria and the remainder in Greece. The region is particularly notable for the Karst areas with their deep river gorges, large caves and specific sculptured forms, such as the Trigrad Gorge.

6.  Since ancient times the Rhodopes have been a mysterious and enchanting mountain range. The Rhodopes have a rich cultural heritage including ancient Thracian sites such as Perperikon, Tatul and Belintash; medieval castles, churches, monasteries and picturesque villages with traditional Bulgarian architecture from 18th and 19th century.ThracianPerperikonTatul Belintash

7.  The Rhodopes traditions and folklore charm the Bulgarian and foreign visitors and tourists.  Mostly rural region The Rhodopes are popular with the incredible nature and traditions kept alive over the years.  The traditional Rhodopes songs and dances were preferred by the local people, even the youth and famous in all over the world.  The magic of Rhodopes song could be heard even in the space, sing by Valya Balkanska.

8. MUNICIPALITY OF BANITE THE LAG PRESPA MUNICIPALITIES

9.  The municipality of Banite covers some middle part of the Central Rhodopes.  In terms of area, it is the third largest municipality in the Smolyan district. It borders on the municipalities of Smolyan, Laky, Assenovgrad, Ardino, Madan and Chernoochene.  Tourism and agriculture are sectors in priority here.  The thermal spring in predetermines the municipality development as a resort center

10. MUNICIPALITY OF LAKY LAG PRESPA MUNICIPALITIES

11.  The municipality of Laky is located in the administrative region of Plovdiv, in the title of Prespa on the Western Rhodope.  It is bordered by the municipalities of Assenovgrad, Chepelare, Smolyan and Banite.  Near is situated the famous Bachkovo monastery, na the monastery "Krastova Gora ‘’, welknown by the tourist with the legend of the cross of the crucifixition of Jesus Christ and the hunting reserve " Kormisosh "with wonderful conditions for hunting tourism.  The main industry in the economy of the municipalitie’s population is the extraction of lead-zinc ore

12. MUNICIPALITY OF CHEPELARE LAG PRESPA MUNICIPALITIES

13.  The area is located in the central Rhodope mountains by the Chepelare River. Located nearby are the municipalities of Smolyan, Lucky, Devin, Assenovgrad and Rhodopi.  The territory of the municipality covers 384 square kilometers of which 73% are forests, 14% are flatlands and meadows and 11% is agricultural land.  On the remaining 2% of the land are located 12 habitable places of which 10 are villages, these are: Pavelsko, Hvoina, Zaburdo, Malevo, Orehovo, Bogutevo, Ostritsa, Lilikevo, Zornitsa, and Progled along with the winter resort of Pamporovo  Thousands of tourists from across Bulgaria and abroad visit the area during the winter and summer each year.

14.  Name- Local Area Group’’ Prespa’’-Municipalities of Banite, Lucky and Chepelare  Registration and establishment- The registration of the non-profit organization LAG,,Prespa’’ was on 2007, in result of the realization of project between the three communities and Foundation about reform of the local self-government in the goal to form LAG and write a Strategy for local development.  Members- The organization has 59 members today.  Active Local Area Group- The organization obtained the status of an active Local Area Group by a decision of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food dated October, 13, 2011, when a contract between LAG’’Prespa’’, The Ministry of Agriculture and Food and the State Fund Agriculture was signed.

15. The area on which the LAG carries out its activities has 970.1 km.² The area, which the LAG covers has no town with more than 5 000 people. It is divided into three municipalities: Banite (20 settlements), Lucky (13 settlements), Chepelare (13 settlements) Number of people living in the area of the LAG’s activity: The area covered by the LAG has 16.404 people (Municipality of Laky 387, Municipality of Banite 972, Municipality of Chepelare-8 045 people)

16.  Decision of mayors of the three communities and of municipal councils for execution of Rural development program for all three municipalities- Banite, Lucky and Chepelare, it is confirmed in 2007.  Project group was appointed and with the cooperation of specialists of municipal administration, experts and other interested local partners made a verification phase of program.  The instrument for decisions was the forum as most democratic manner.  5 forums consisted and 70 to 120 participants around for each forum were registered.

17.  The strategy for local development is elaborated between 2007 and 2010 and is result of analysis of the local needs and the purposes about the region development according to the purposes of the rural development program.  Strategy purposes of LAG ‘’Prespa’’  General purpose Improving quality of life and development of the local economy.  Priority 1-Development of sustainable production and services.

18.  Priority 1-Development of sustainable production and services-includes3 specifics purposes:  Increased income and employment in tourism.- measures under axis 3-311, 312, 313  Improving the conditions for development of competitive and ecological agriculture and forestry- measures 121, 123, 223, 226  Promotion of new industries and services corresponding to the local necessities-measures 311, 312 and 123

19. Priority 2- Improving the public infrastructure-includes 2 specific purposes:  Improving access to services including touristic services-measure 321  Reviving the settlements-measure 322

20. LAG ‘’Prespa’’ strategy includes 9 measures from the rural development program:  Measure 121-Modernization of agricultural holdings  Measure 122-Improvement of the economic value of forests  Measure 123-Adding value to agricultural and forestry products  Measure 226-Recovery of the forest potential  Measure 311-Diversification to non-agricultural activities  Measure 312-Support for the creation and development of micro enterprises  Measure 313-Promotion of tourists’ activities  Measure 321-Main services for the population and the economy of the rural areas  Measure 322-Reviving and development of the settlements

21.  LAG ‘’Prespa’’ announced the first period for admission and administration of projects  The first announcement was about projects under measures 313, 321 and 322.  The projects’ admission was preceded by intensified information campaign.

22.  Our LAG accepted 4 projects under measures 321 and 322 and it were approved of the evaluation stage of administrative compliance and eligibility.  Currently the projects are evaluated by external valuers.  In June we will announce the second period for admission of projects under the rest 6 measures -121, 122, 226, 311 and 312

23.  LAG ‘’Prespa’’ is in the beginning of accomplishment of the rural development program’s purposes and local development strategy’s purposes.  Training of LAG's team and activities related with evaluation and execution of the projects are yet to be organized.  Budget of the LAG projects-3 090 000 BG for all the period of implementation of the Strategy objectives.

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