Bulgaria update en final dec13

LIFE programme - Country Factsheet

BULGARIA Overview As it joined the European Union in 2007, no projects were funded in Bulgaria under LIFE I (1992-1996), LIFE II (1996-2000) or LIFE III (2000-2006).

The first LIFE projects in Bulgaria started during the current phase of the programme - LIFE+ (2007-2013).

To date, a total of 18 projects have been financed in Bulgaria. Of these, two focus on environmental This document provides an overview of LIFE in Bulgaria.

It showcases success stories and ongoing initiatives,

innovation, 15 on nature conservation and one on information

and

communication.

These

projects

represent a total investment of €30 million, of which €17 million has been contributed by the European Union.

indicates how to find further information on the projects and provides a list of ongoing projects in Annex.

Every year a call for project proposals is launched covering the programme’s three components: Nature and Biodiversity, Environment Policy and Governance, and Information and Communication.

You will find more details on these and all recent LIFE projects in Bulgaria in the annexed lists.

Last update: 10/12/13

European Commission, DG Environment – LIFE E.3 & E.4 Units (http://ec.europa.eu/life/)

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Environment Policy and Governance The first project under the LIFE Environment Policy and Governance component started in January 2010 but closed prematurely due to financial constraints. The project had aimed to demonstrate the effective separation, collection, treatment and recycling of waste from electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) in Bulgaria.

One ongoing project will set-up and operate – over a 42 month period - a pilot-scale industrial furnace for tableware glass, using only hot oxygen and natural gas, thereby avoiding the use of oil, as in standard industry furnaces. The project is coordinated by Trakya Glass Bulgaria EAD, a subsidiary of a Turkish conglomerate operating in the glass and chemicals sectors. Its total budget amounts to €4 million, of which the EU is contributing 50%. Detailed objectives of the project are described in more details in the project box below. The website and results will be included in due course.

Demonstration & validation of a heat recovery packaged solution for decreasing oxy-glass factories’ environmental impact (LIFE Eco-HeatOx) LIFE12/ENV/BG/000756 The project will test a new technology in the tableware glass sector, which, if validated, could be transferred to all small and medium-sized furnaces, regardless of the sector, as long as the furnace operates above 700°C (as do the majority of active furnaces in Europe).

The new process will require less equipment than existing technologies, thus allowing it to be more broadly applied to small and medium-sized glass furnaces. As well as reducing CO 2 and NOx emissions, it will also cut natural gas and oxygen consumption by preheating to 450°C using waste heat from the furnace.

By saving energy, the technology should reduce the impact of energy-price fluctuations on glass producers. It is expected that reduced additives consumption and overall financial viability will also help the transferability of the technology.

The project team will build a pilot plant to demonstrate and validate the technical feasibility in an industrial context. Benefits will be assessed and widely disseminated to owners of small and medium-sized furnaces.

The project expects to achieve a 23% reduction in CO 2 emissions and a 90% reduction in NOx emissions linked to tableware glass production, as well as a 23% reduction in energy consumption (savings of 700 Mwh/yr).

Last update: 10/12/13

European Commission, DG Environment – LIFE E.3 & E.4 Units (http://ec.europa.eu/life/)

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Nature and Biodiversity The LIFE Nature and Biodiversity component is co-financing 15 projects in Bulgaria. This represents a total investment of €23 million, of which €14 million is being contributed by the European Union.

All 15 projects are still ongoing. Their objectives include: conserving the imperial eagle (notably by reducing mortalities caused by power lines) and the saker falcon in key Natura 2000 sites in Bulgaria (read more about this project in the box below); securing the long-term conservation of five bird species included in Annex I of the Birds Directive and the sustainable management of their wetland habitats around the city of Burgas; restoring the populations of the three large vulture species in Bulgaria through conservation measures and measures aimed at developing institutional capacity for vulture conservation; halting species loss and promoting the conservation of plant biodiversity in Bulgaria; improving the conservation status of ten Sites of Community Importance managed by the State Forestry Agency, through conservation and restoration of riparian and wetland habitats in forests; ensuring the long-term conservation of priority oak habitats by reforestation and management planning; introducing land-management measures in the Dobrudzha region of northern Bulgaria in order to provide secure foraging grounds for the red-breasted goose; improving the conservation status of the two priority forest habitats of the Natura 2000 sites of Dragoman and Plana in western Bulgaria (Pannonian woods with Quercus pubescens and Alluvial forests with Alnus glutinosa and Fraxinus excelsior); improving the conservation status of the Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus) in Greece and Bulgaria; supporting and strengthening the populations of the globally endangered lesser kestrel (Falco naumanni) in Bulgaria, through a series of direct conservation measures and wider public involvement; establishing a functional, efficient and sustainable infrastructure for water management and the control of the coastal lagoon in the Atanasovsko Lake; conserving birds of prey in Kresna Gorge; conserving and restoring six small rheophilic fish species and a mollusc species listed in Annex II of the EU Habitats Directive in selected river sections in Natura 2000 sites in the Bulgarian Danube river basin; and preserving key forest habitats of the Lesser spotted eagle. The projects have a duration of between 36 and 74 months and are being carried out by nine NGOs, a research institute, a regional authority, a large enterprise and three national authorities.

Conservation of imperial eagle and saker falcon in key Natura 2000 sites in Bulgaria (BSPB LIFE+ SAVE THE RAPTORS) LIFE07/NAT/BG/000068 This LIFE project aims to reduce the impact of direct persecution and indirect threats to the imperial eagle and saker falcon. It will maintain and enhance habitat for the imperial eagle and saker falcon in Natura 2000 sites designated for these species, prevent further loss of nest sites and create new sites.

The project will ensure that best practice in imperial eagle and saker falcon conservation is mainstreamed into Natura 2000 site management, and promote positive attitudes to the imperial eagle and saker falcon among key stakeholders.

For further information: http://www.saveraptors.org

Last update: 10/12/13

European Commission, DG Environment – LIFE E.3 & E.4 Units (http://ec.europa.eu/life/)

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Information and Communication Projects funded under this LIFE+ component aim to disseminate information and raise the profile of environmental issues. They also provide training and awareness-raising on the prevention of forest fires.

To date, one project has been approved in Bulgaria under the LIFE+ Information and Communication component.

The project aims to promote the sustainable harvesting of wild herbs in Bulgaria. The project’s total investment comes to €0.3 million, of which the EU is contributing 49.95%. The project beneficiary is the Information and Nature Conservation Foundation, a non-governmental, non profit-making organisation that supports biodiversity conservation, the sustainable use of natural resources and awareness raising on nature protection in Bulgaria. The project started in October 2013 and will run for a period of 30 months.

Its aims are described in more details in the project box below. The website and results of the project will be included in due course.

Promoting a Sustainable Herbal Harvest in Bulgaria (SusHerb LIFE 2012) LIFE12/INF/BG/000105 The project will address the commercial over-exploitation of wild populations of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) in Bulgaria. This problem is resulting in the harvesting of poor quality plants collected in the wild, increasing the risk of habitat damage and threatening the future, even of the most widespread species. The project aims to implement a series of integrated communication and training actions that build awareness and knowledge throughout the supply chain on how to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of MAPs. Specifically, the project will: inform the general public about the commercial over-exploitation of MAPs (including the conservation and economic value of the threatened plants) and raise awareness about “sustainable herbal harvests”; promote the concept of “sustainable herbal harvests” (including better MAP collection and cultivation practices) to local communities in the selected pilot area; and increase knowledge and improving the skills of all stakeholders.

Thanks to these actions, the project expects to: implement a comprehensive and wide communication and information campaign and to build a good network of contacts involving all stakeholders; to develop, test, refine and deliver MAP training packages, including a programme, methodology and training material; train experts and trainers in the collection of MAPs; develop, test and refine a model for an MAP mobile information centre. The project also wants to launch an information and consultation campaign targeted at: 50 buyers and processing facilities managers in the project area and a further 72 in neighbouring districts, as well as 8 400 farmers and thousands of local people in the project area.

One of the expected outputs of the project is the production of a “Sustainable Herbal Harvest” film, to be broadcasted on Bulgarian national TV, as well as other regional/national TV stations.

Last update: 10/12/13

European Commission, DG Environment – LIFE E.3 & E.4 Units (http://ec.europa.eu/life/)

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How to find out more about LIFE and LIFE projects By surfing on the LIFE website The LIFE website provides a wealth of information on the LIFE programme: http://ec.europa.eu/life/

By searching on the LIFE projects For further information on LIFE projects in Bulgaria or LIFE projects in general, please consult the online LIFE projects database. http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/project/Projects/index.cfm The easy-to-use database is the authoritative source of information on all ongoing and closed LIFE projects. The database also provides information on the beneficiaries, their contact details, and the projects’ websites.

By contacting: The National Contact Point for Bulgaria Ministry of Environment and Water Name:

Address: Tel: Fax: E-mail: Website:

Mrs Cveta DIMITOVA, Director, European & international projects Directorate M. Plamen GLOGOV, Head of Dpt “Monitoring and Control” Mrs Rosina ZHMURANOVA, Senior expert, “Monitoring and Control” Ms. Aylin HASAN, Chief expert, National Nature Protection Service Mr. Hristo STOEV, Senior Environment Expert, Policies Directorate 22 & 29, Maria Luisa Blvd BG – Sofia 1000 +359 2 940 6525 / + 359 2 940 6537 / +359 2 940 6134 / +359 2 940 6103 / +359 2 940 6345 N/A cdimitrova@moew.government.bg / pglogov@moew.government.bg / r.jmouranova@moew.government.bg / ahasan@moew.government.bg / h.stoev@moew.government.bg http://www3.moew.government.bg/?show=182&lang=bg

The Monitoring Team for Bulgaria ASTRALE EEIG - PROSPECT C&S c/o G. Valaoras 14 Asklepiou GR-10680 Athens Tel: (30) 210 361 00 88 Fax: (30) 210 362 02 85 E-mail: prospect@astrale.org

Last update: 10/12/13

European Commission, DG Environment – LIFE E.3 & E.4 Units (http://ec.europa.eu/life/)

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Recent Environment Policy & Governance projects in Bulgaria Project Title

Project Number

Website

Demonstration & validation of a heat recovery packaged solution for decreasing oxyglass factories’ environmental impact (LIFE Eco-HeatOx)

LIFE12 ENV/BG/000756

N/A

Click on the icon to read the project summary

Project duration

01/2010–> 06/2013

Recent Nature & Biodiversity projects in Bulgaria Project Title

Project Number

Website

Conservation of imperial eagle and saker falcon in key Natura 2000 sites in Bulgaria (BSPB LIFE+ SAVE THE RAPTORS)

LIFE07 NAT/BG/000068

http://www.saveraptors.org

Ensuring Conservation of Priority Bird Species and Coastal Habitats at the Bourgas Natura 2000 Wetland Sites (LIFE FOR THE BOURGAS LAKE)

LIFE08 NAT/BG/000277

http://www.burgaslakes.org/

Recovery of the Populations of Large European Vultures In Bulgaria (VULTURES' RETURN)

LIFE08 NAT/BG/000278

http://www.greenbalkans.org/bird sofprey/life/

A Pilot Network of Small Protected Sites for Plant Species in Bulgaria Using the Plant Micro-reserve Model (BulPlantNet)

LIFE08 NAT/BG/000279

http://skay.com/life/en_home.php

Conservation and Restoration of 11 Natura 2000 Riparian and Wetland Habitats in 10 SCI's Bulgarian Forests (Riparian Habitats in BG)

LIFE08 NAT/BG/000281

Conservation and restoration of Black Sea oak habitats (Black Sea Oak Habitats)

LIFE09 NAT/BG/000229

http://lifeplus.dlsbalchik.eu

Conservation of the wintering population of the globally threatened red-breasted goose (branta ruficollis) in Bulgaria (Safe Ground Redbreasts)

LIFE09 NAT/BG/000230

http://bspb-redbreasts.org/

Conservation of the Genetic Fund and Restoration of Priority Forest Habitats in Natura 2000 Sites (BGNATURAGENEFUND)

LIFE10 NAT/BG/000146

Urgent measures to secure survival of the Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus) in Bulgaria and Greece (Return of the Neophron)

LIFE10 NAT/BG/000152

Greater chance for Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni) in Bulgaria (Lesser Kestrel Recovery)

LIFE11 NAT/BG/000360

Last update: 10/12/13

Click on the icon to read the project summary

Project duration

01/2009 –> 12/2013

01/2010 –> 12/2013

01/2010 –> 12/2014

01/2010 –> 06/2013

http://bulgaria.panda.org/what_w e_do/protected_areas/10parks/ 01/2010 –> 06/2013

02/2011 –> 01/2014

01/2011 –> 01/2014

http://forestgenefund.eu/ 09/2011 –> 06/2015

http://lifeneophron.eu/en/index.ht ml 10/2011 –> 12/2016

http://greenbalkans.org/birdsofpr ey/lesserkestrellife/en/

09/2012 –> 09/2017

European Commission, DG Environment – LIFE E.3 & E.4 Units (http://ec.europa.eu/life/)

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Urgent Measures to Restore and Secure Long-term Preservation of the Atanasovsko Lake Coastal Lagoon (Salt of Life)

LIFE11 NAT/BG/000362

http://www.saltoflife.biodiversity. bg

Conservation of birds of prey in Kresna Gorge, Bulgaria (LIFE FOR KRESNA GORGE)

LIFE11 NAT/BG/000363

http://www.fwff.org/lifeforkresna gorge/

Enhance conservation of the globally threatened Imperial Eagle in Bulgaria by reducing mortality caused by power lines (LIFE for safe grid)

LIFE12 NAT/BG/000572

N/A

Conservation and restoration of Natura 2000 rheophilic fish species and their migratory routes in key SCIs in Bulgaria (LIFE FREE FISH)

LIFE12 NAT/BG/001011

Preserve Key Forest Habitats of the Lesser Spotted Eagle (Aquila pomarina) in Bulgaria (LIFE for Eagle's Forest)

LIFE12 NAT/BG/001218

07/2012 –> 08/2018

06/2012 –> 11/2016

09/2013 –> 08/2018

N/A 09/2013 –> 09/2017

N/A 07/2013 –> 07/2018

Recent Information and Communication projects in Bulgaria Project Title

Project Number

Website

Promoting a Sustainable Herbal Harvest in Bulgaria (SusHerb) (SusHerb LIFE 2012

LIFE12 INF_BG_000105

N/A

Last update: 10/12/13

Click on the icon to read the project summary

Project duration

10/2013 –> 03/2016

European Commission, DG Environment – LIFE E.3 & E.4 Units (http://ec.europa.eu/life/)

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