Description
The project addresses the growing incidents of illegal use of local natural resources in the rural municipalities of Smolyan District endangering herb and mushroom varieties. The project aims at protecting local biodiversity by training young people to recognize, harvest and grow herbs in the appropriate season and manner. First, information days will be held to identify 84 young participants in the project. Second, the appropriate training methodology will be developed based on the specificity of the areas. Third, the 84 participants will attend a 2-day course in herb detection and harvesting followed by a 1-day of practical training. Finally, the project will be presented to the stakeholders at a conference on sustainable development and environment protection. The project will benefit the young people, the Roma, the local communities, NGOs and authorities. The project partner will provide professional support and organize the communication activities.
Summary of project results
The project was launched due to the increased number of registered cases of illegal and environmentally unfriendly use of local natural resources in the territory of Smolyan District where large swathes of Natura 2000 protected areas and nature reserves are located. The two partner organizations identified that the issue is due to lack of adequate knowledge and appropriate skills for sustainable use of local natural resources. In order to mitigate the negative consequences of the improper man-made use of natural resources, 7 two-day training courses were organized with a 1-day-long practical part in the villages of Smilyan, Mogilitsa, Barutin, Zmeitsa and Borino and the towns of Smolyan and Devin and 7 information meetings; in addition to ECO RHODOPE leaflet, a thematic conference, a website, a Facebook Group and an exhibition. Activities were carried out for people at risk of poverty, young people and Roma who live in mountainous regions. The target groups that took part in the training courses, practice sessions and the conference acquired adequate knowledge and skills for sustainable use of local natural resources, herbs, mushrooms and berries. The new knowledge and skills shaped a conscious and responsible attitude to environment protection during picking of herbs, mushrooms and berries as well as to the opportunities and advantages of cultivating them. In addition, the stakeholders (representatives of institutions, the media, the NGO sector) took part in the thematic conference on sustainable development and environment protection which focused on the need to look for ways to set up a Public Forum by a group of citizens with an active public position. The dissemination of Eco Rhodope leaflet and the publicity and information activities helped share good practices, experience and useful tips and contacts with a maximum number of stakeholders which is a premise for the sustainability of the results. The organization received support under the project to boost its organizational capacity, create a website, train its members and establish itself in the sector by taking active part in publicly important initiatives and projects of benefit to the local community as well as working in partnership with and in a network with other NGOs. Ecoworld Rhodope Association took part in all project activities including the development of the project website on the Association’s website (
http://curp-smolyan.eu/;
http://bilki.ngogrants.ecorodopi.eu/)
Summary of bilateral results