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“For The Nature”

Bulgaria is among the highest ranking countries in terms of biological diversity in Europe. Despite being a small country, it is within the boundaries of 5 bio-geographical regions (Alpine, continental, Black Sea region and partially Mediterranean and Steppe), and is home to 90 types of natural habitats and habitats of over 120 species of plants and animals according to the European Bird Directive.

During the past two years of increasing risks for the nature in Bulgaria, the Society Sector has turned out to be the only instrument for monitoring and control of illegal building in the protected areas and NATURA 2000 sites, the corrupted schemes among political figures and investment interests as well as ill-functioning judiciary system. That’s why the present project has aimed at aiding the civil society’s structures for effective preservation of Bulgaria’s nature.

Civic empowerment through strengthening the campaign for the protection of wild nature in Bulgaria

The primary goal of the project is to inspire broad civic participation in preserving Bulgarian natural heritage, using the campaign for keeping Rila mountain unspoiled and un-industrialized from mass tourism as a focalizer. Overall, the project will contribute to making the citizens feel part of a platform uniting people and groups in the struggle for preserving Rila mountain and the remaining wild nature in Bulgaria. The process is aimed to create a sense of empowerment and growing self-confidence in people's ability to take part in (and influence) the decision-making processes that concern nature protection.

Finally, by making the campaign for Rila mountain a successful example of civil control over the institutions, the project aims at challenging the common “nothing-depends-on-us” attitude among Bulgarians who are sensitive about nature preservation topics.