Description
The project addresses the need for greater awareness of the local community about the valuable natural resources in Strandja National Park and its rare endangered plant and animal species. The project aims at raising the awareness of the local community about environment protection and sustainable use of natural resources. First, an ecological demonstration centre will be opened. Second, the centre and the project will be presented to the local community at a seminar and photo exhibition. Third, a demo photovoltaic system will be selected, purchased, delivered and mounted and a demo garden will be created. Fourth, 3 training programmes on environment protection, biodiversity and climate change for the age groups of 4+, 8+ and 15+ will be developed. The project will benefit the people involved in the project, children and youth in particular, and the local community in the town of Sinemorets.
Summary of project results
The protection of Strandja Mountain Park has been confronted with the following issues: random construction; abandoned farm lands and lack of livelihoods for the local people. It is necessary to raise the awareness and get compassion from the local community and tourists about the importance of natural resources and involvement of children and young people. The project aimed at persuading the stakeholders that it paid to use a model where waste is a resource for another activity with the help of a demo eco-centre for the education of children and young people. The environmental management of the eco-centre located on 1 decare in Strandja Mountain Park reduced the negative man-made impact on the ecosystem. The training sessions of children and young people promoted innovative methods which eliminated permanently the sources of environment pollution. The knowledge was disseminated among the local communities, NGOs and decision-makers via a seminar, a discussion forum and a manual. The results achieved include innovative educational programmes developed for protection of the ecological balance; demo eco-centre that was set up and involves reuse of resources, organic farming, solar energy; involvement of the local communities, children, young people and volunteers at all project stages; raising awareness and civic engagement for environment protection and sustainable development. The business plan for the eco centre included paid training sessions for children and young people. The visits paid by tourists have been another source of revenue to maintain the centre. Materials for the development of the eco-centre have been published. In April 2016 a similar centre in Norway was visited for exchange of experience.
Summary of bilateral results