Description
The project addresses the need to raise public awareness about protection of biodiversity and endangered species. The project aims at raising awareness through the use of graffiti art on school building walls and lectures with international speakers. First, the graffiti and the educational lectures will be prepared for implementation in 5 cities. Second, 8-member team will carry out the graffiti work and the educational lectures in the cities of Montana, Ruse, Burgas, Smolyan and Sofia. Third, the stakeholders (regional/national institutions, NGOs) will attend the Green Murals Forum held in Sofia. Finally, the project will be further promoted in the Green Murals short film. The project will benefit the local community, environmental groups and NGOs. The partners will contribute with their experience to create new communication channels.
Summary of project results
The project aimed at countering the lack of attention paid to biodiversity and the factors for its loss and conservation and managed to communicate social and global issues with the help of urban art (graffiti). The drawings made on the school facades will encourage the public to contribute in the long run to protection of habitats and species. The project focused on the organization of a feasible information campaign. Graffiti, a forum and workshops for children were used to draw their attention to biodiversity and the environment and to taking steps to protect them. The art-related initiatives have a long-lasting and permanent impact on the urban environment and the messages that can be conveyed. The project transformed 5 cities, turning 5 school blind walls in works of art. In addition, 6 information events took place, i.e. environmental workshops and lectures. A short movie called Green Blind Walls and teasers were created and made publicly available online, presenting the process of painting and meetings with the local communities. At the end of the project a photo exhibition was organized. Environmental experts shared experience, good practices and possible obstacles to solving global issues. Websites can be used to disseminate information and as a platform to connect people interested in the issue. The project is a good example of communication of issues of importance for the public by means of urban art. The works of art are sustainable as they will continue to exist for a long time in the urban environment of 5 cities. The exhibition which presented the project implementation will continue to be displayed and covered at other public events. A plan for educational curricula and monitoring of the project impact was prepared with the help of experts from the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research. A Forum and field work for exchange of information, methods and good practices for biodiversity protection were carried out jointly.
Summary of bilateral results
The bilateral funds contributed to strengthen bilateral relations because the Green Murals Project served as a frame for the communication between professional environmentalists from Bulgaria and Norway, and their knowledge and abilities were shared through their formal partnership. The common work with the experts from Norway has improved the knowledge and understanding of both sides about how the environmental issues are addressed in each country. The results of the project were presented by all the partner organisations on a Multicultural Forum held in Sofia in which many new contacts were established and all the attendees were inspired to get more involved in environmental protection.