CURRENT PROJECTS:

Computer assisted education for Environment protection – NATURNET PLUS

NATURNET PLUS (www.naturnet.cz) will transfer methods and knowledge of the NATURNET REDIME project (www.naturnet.org) to European regions and enterprises trough network of organizations in Europe dealing with Environmental Education (Czech Centre for Science and Society (CCSS), Videsprojekti, Ligatne, REC Bulgaria, REC Romania, AliTerme, SRPA). The project focus is on the training of sustainable tourism management among the target regions and mainly in sensitive areas as protected territories, national parks and costal zones. NATURNET PLUS will combine educational materials and experiences from NATURNET REDIME project, with methods of sustainable tourism introduced in REGEO and EMIRES projects. Using this network will make NATURNET results accessible to different groups of workers and public servants. The NATURNET PLUS educational system will be designed and implemented by CCSS with focus on multimedia and interactive tools for eLearning, particularly on tools for Environmental Impact Assessment. The NATURNET PLUS educational approach will share existing results and knowledge and will transfer an educational system for new users and conditions. The Web 2.0 based solution will open new methodologies for future education based on social networks.

Green pack Junior

In 2007 REC for CEE published its new educational program for environment for children - Green Pack Junior. It was brought to the attention of the Ministers of the Environment, UN officials and trainers during the Conference "Environment for Europe" held in Belgrade the same year. In response to the interest of the toolkit it created a common strategy for its implementation in Central and Eastern Europe. Although the toolkit, available only in English language and developed by a Bulgarian team of educational specialists, it is not yet available in Bulgarian language and adapted to the educational system in the country. REC studies of secondary schools in several regions of the country and the results of the consultations from the conducted in May, 2009 Round Table “Education for Natura 2000”, demonstrated the need for tools for teachers at the primary schools (1-4 grade) to introduce the topics related with the environment.
According to data of Ministry of Education, Youth and Science - Center for Information Security of Education in Bulgaria there are 2 066 schools, 260 545 students, 15 204 teachers and 13 334 classes, which offer an initial stage of primary education level. In the medium term (3 years) this is the target group of this initiative.
By implementing the project the Bulgarian branch of the REC can offer teachers and schools in Bulgaria, a comprehensive package of materials introducing the principles of the education for sustainable development in Bulgarian language and adapted to new realities and priorities of the educational system. These are extra curricula tools, manuals, student materials, etc. Interpreting topics mostly related to climate change and biodiversity. With the adadaptation of “Green Pack Junior” the materials offered by REC will now cover all the educational levels (obligatory) of the Bulgarian school.

Osogovo, Ograjden and Belasitsa for Kinds

This project proposal is developed as continuation of the project “West Balkan for kids” financed by Mitsubishi Corporation Fund for Europe and Africa, and implemented by REC in the period September 2007 – November 2008 in the region of West Stara Planina. Therefore the main focus of this project is to pursue the objectives set by the “[region] for kids” branding strategy. “The conservation of the nature biodiversity around us is at our concern” is the message that the brand will promote mostly in the economically less-favored but rich in natural resources trans-boundary regions. The implementation of the results by the project in Osogovo, Ograjden and Belasitsa region is the ambitious task of the current project.

Education for NATURA 2000 - introducing the ecological network in the Bulgarian schools

REC for CEE - Bulgaria started the new project “Education for NATURA 2000” – introducing the ecological network in the Bulgarian schools in partnership with the Bulgarian Society for Protection of Birds – BirdLife Bulgaria. The project is financed by the EEA grants Fund for NGO in Bulgaria (2007-2010) with the total cost of 101`241,50 € and a period of realization - 18 months.The project main goal is focused on raising the public commitment and proving support to teachers and pupils – representatives of the local societies, about the meaning and the benefits raised trough the introduction of protection measures for the territories by the ecological network NATURA 2000 in Bulgaria.

Assistance of the Survey Process and Preparation of Municipality Environmental Plans for the Municipalities of Smolian and Laki

The GEF-funded Assistance of the Survey Process and Preparation of Municipality Environmental Plans for the Municipalities of Smolian and Laki Project aims at conserving globally significant biodiversity in the Eastern and Western Rhodope landscapes through the attainment of two objectives: 1) Landscape-scale conservation is effectively operationalized in the Eastern and Western Rhodope; and 2) Stakeholders integrate biodiversity into resource management and economic development policy and practice. The project seeks to follow the general idea that large-scale nature conservation can be achieved at very little public and governmental cost through the integration of biodiversity (nature) conservation concerns into the economic and territorial planning at local, regional and national levels.

West Balkan Mountain for kids

The project aims to create a pilot model for educational program targeted at rural communities living in protected transboundary ecosystems. The program will include educational toolkit, trainings for teachers, demonstration lessons, open-air green school. The concept behind the model is to design the educational program with modules devoted to general topics such as conservation of natural resources, protected areas, the link between human activities and biodiversity conservation, and modules devoted to the specific environment: flora and fauna, protected species, specific ecosystem. The model will be tested in the region of West Balkan Mountain, targeting the environment-specific modules to the local biodiversity and working with the local schools and community. The design of the model program will allow its replication in other environment settings through changing the environment-specific information and keeping the general one.

Tourist Trail West Balkan – Ecotourism for the Benefit of People and Nature

The project will be implemented in the period April 2007 – March 2008. The project is funded by the Small Grants Program of UNDP/GEF. The overall goal of the project is the protection and promotion of the globally significant biodiversity of West Stara Planina and its use for the development of an ecotourist product from which the local communities will benefit. The project objectives are: development of interpretative program along the tourist route West Balkan for the most significant species and habitats; developing local capacity for the interpretation of the biodiversity and organization of the ecotourism product and marketing and promotion of the ecotourist product, the route and the biodiversity of the region.

Transboundary Project West Stara Planina

This project is implemented in the transboundary region of West Stara Planina between Bulgaria and Serbia in the framework of the Regional Environmental Reconstruction Program of the Stability Pact. Its timeframe is 2002-2006 and it includes activities for the joint management of the natural resources and sustainable rural development in the areas of tourism and agriculture...

Links between Social and Environmental Pillars of Sustainable Development

The study is implemented by consortium of organizations: AEA Technology Plc, Policies Study Institute, UK and Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe. The study is funded by the EC/DG Employment and Social Affairs. The objective of this study is to assess the interactions between social and environmental policies across the European Union, to identify where such policies mutually reinforce both the social and environmental objectives of sustainable development. The activities within the project are as follows: Assessment of the environmental impacts of different population groups through consumption of resources; Assessment of the distribution of environmental impacts on different population groups; Assessment of the negative and positive interactions between social and environmental policy; Proposals for identification of sustainable indicators that incorporate both social and environmental concerns and evaluation and synthesis of the findings. There are six countries where case studies will be executed: Germany, UK, Czech Republic, Spain, Sweden and Bulgaria.

Raising awareness about biodiversity and sustainable community development in Stara Planina

The project aims at promoting the Green Belt initiative (for transboundary protected areas) in the region of West Stara Planina. It is implemented in partnership with IUCN and is funded by the Norwegian government.

PAST PROJECTS:

Designating Nature Park West Balkan

The project is financed by the Ministry of Environment and Waters and includes the preparation of digital maps, draft ordinance and justification for designation of the park, as well as organizing information campaign and public hearing...

Enhancing Access to Information and Public Participation in Environmental Decision Making

The project is within the framework of Danube Regional Project, Component 3.4. The project is financed by UNDP/GEF and is being implemented by the Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe, New York University and Resources for the Future Foundation, Washington. In Bulgaria the project is implemented by the local office of REC for the period 2004 – 2006. The project aims at enhancing the civil servants capacity, as “source” of environmental information, through trainings and technical support in relation to authority’ s characteristics and needs.

The project activities include: Assessment of the current situation for environmental information provision and in particular for water-related issues and assessment of the current legislation; Organization of trainings for capacity building of civil servants and business representatives regarding the good practices in active and passive water-related information provision; Elaboration and publication of Brochure about on-line resources with information regarding water in Bulgaria and EU for NGOs and the public; Development of Danube Region Basin Directorate web site and unification of the format of the three other Basin Directorates’ web sites; Assessment and recommendations for improvement of acts/regulations for water-related information provision and implementation of The Right To Know And To Participate in Water Management Project in Lovech and Troyan by Ecomission 21 Association.

Assistance for the Implementation of the New Waste Management Legislation and National Waste Management Programmes in Bulgaria – Follow-up

Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe – Branch Bulgaria in partnership with the Ministry of Environment and Water implement Assistance for Implementation of the New Waste Management Legislation and National Waste Management Programmes in Bulgaria – Follow-up Project. The project is financed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency, Japan Special Fund and MoEW for the period July 2005 – July 2006. The project activities include: - Preparation, publication and dissemination of Manual for Development of Municipal Waste Management Plans in 500 copies – Organization of five training seminars for municipal experts in 2006

Extending the Partnership for Cleaner Fuels and Vehicles to Central and Eastern Europe and Turkey

The project is implemented by the REC for CEE with the financial support of United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and Partnership for Clean Fuels and Vehicles (PCFV)

Promotion of Nature Protection Actions and Sustainable Development across the Border – Technical Assistance for Establishment of the CBC BG/GR Eco-networks, EuropeAid /122 632/SER/BG

The project is contracted by the Bulgarian Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works through PHARE –CBC Programme. The activities of the project are implemented by the international consortium: AGRECO, The Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe and DICON consultant group.

The main project activities to be implemented within 11 months – from January to November 2007: Identification of four eco-networks in the trans-boundary region; Institutionalisation of eco-networks; Proposal for establishment of management bodies; Development of a 10-year Sustainable Development Programme for the eco-networks; Elaboration of a Monitoring programme and joint informational system; Development of a Communication Strategy and Campaign for public awareness raising about eco-networks and the concrete benefits and effects for their future existence.