1.2. Improving the capacity for nature protection, sustainable use and management of common natural resources through cooperation initiatives in the cross-border area

The overall objective is to transfer successfully of the experience from a Bulgarian NGO on preparation and promotion of the process of development of European Ecological Network "Natura 2000" to Turkish stakeholders in the model region of Istranca Mountain and to increase the local capacity for the implementation of NATURA 2000 requirements through strong dialogue and exchange of best practices between Bulgarian and Turkish NGOs.

The project envisages preparation of documentation for designation of three NATURA 2000 sites in the Turkish part of Strandja/Istranca and on-site training for joint data collection for NATURA 2000. In order to transfer the European experience in establishment of NATURA 2000 a four – days study visit for 20 Turkish experts will be organized in Bulgaria. During the project implementation two local workshops on NATURA 2000 with representatives of environmental non-governmental organizations, institutions and citizens will be organized aiming to raise local awareness.

The project will contribute to increasing knowledge and mutual understanding of European strategies and methods for announcement of important natural areas as Natura 2000 sites, and to establish good partnerships between Turkish and European civil society organizations.

The project implementation will support the Turkish European integration process in the field of environmental protection.

Project status: Finished

NATURA 2000 has key significance for the EU policy for nature and biodiversity conservation. It consists of a network of protected areas across Europe, created in correspondence with the Directive on natural habitats from 1992 and the Directive on the conservation of wild birds from 1979. The objective of the network is to guarantee the conservation of the most valuable and most threatened by extinction naturally occurring species as well as the sites which they inhabit.

On the threshold of the European Union, the Republic of Turkey is about to build NATURA 2000, which will become a part of the common European Ecological Network. This network consists of list of protected areas with accompanying documentation, including a description of the flora and fauna and map material.Bulgaria has been an EU member state for more than 10 years and can pass its positive experience in this field to its neighbouring country. In the first part of the project pilot activities for exploration and identification of potential NATURA 2000 sites in Turkey were presented to the Turkish partner and other stakeholders. Field studies were held with experts from Green Balkans, Bulgaria and the Thracian University in Edirne, Turkey. During the studies three potential NATURA 2000 sites in the region of Turkish part of Strandzha: two of them are ‘Habitats Directive’ (92/43/EEC) in 1992 - Igneada Forests and Wetlands – pSCI and Dupnisa Cave (Dupnisa magara sistemi) – pSCI and one is ‘Birds Directive’ (79/402/EEC later 2009/147/EC) - Igneada Wetlands -  SPA were identified.  Series of on-site site training for join data collection at NATURA 2000 in Bulgaria were organised. Lecturers from Istanbul University, students from University of Kikrlareli, environmentalists and youth organizations from Turkey attended the trainings.

As a result a Completed Pilot Standard Data Form (SDF) for the three potential NATURA 2000 sites and a case study with the threats to NATURA 2000 sites in Bulgaria, which pose a potential threat to NATURA 2000 sites in Turkey were developed. Two DVD films “NATURA 2000 and the Green Belt in the Bulgaria and Turkey cross-border region” and “Strandzha – Border Mountain”, all promotional and information materials are available for the general public on the project’s website: http://natura-sakar.org/.   

Accordingly the implemented project increased the readiness and capacity of Turkish experts, NGOs, citizens and other stakeholders to actively participate in the process of the future development of NATURA 2000 in Turkey.

There are so many people on both sides of the border willing to preserve the natural wealth of the neighboring countries.

Project website:

http://natura-sakar.org

Materials from the project:

The project banner is available HERE.

Calendar for 2018 is available HERE.

Fact sheet (Turkish version) is available HERE.

Fact sheet (Bulgarian version) is available HERE.

Leaflet developed under the project is available HERE.

Map of Stradzha region is available HERE.

Stickers designed under the project are available HERE.

Project products:

The Booklet developed under the project is available HERE.

A Case study developed under the project (Bulgarian version) is available HERE.

A Case study developed under the project (English version) is available HERE.

Presentation for Activity 1 "Structure and data of the SDF form for the NATURA 2000 sites" is available HERE.

Presentation for Activity 1 "Designation of pilot NATURA 2000 sites in the target area and practical filling in of the SDF" is available HERE.

Presentation for Activity 1 "Establishing and development of NATURA 2000 in Bulgaria" is available HERE.

Presentation for Activity 1 "What is NATURA 2000, concept and structures" is available HERE.

Standart Data Form for Igneada Ormanlari - Igneada Wetlands is available HERE.

Standart Data Form for Dupnisa Cave is avilable HERE.

Standart Data Form for Igneada Longoz Ormanlari Milli is available HERE.

NATURA 2000 and the GREEN BELT in the Bulgaria-Turkey Cross-border Region DOCUMENTARY is available on the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3b7tDrLr0c&index=15&list=PLwe1R4BMZjDsodEAMWnG6_lawYFnf4qtw&t=0s.

The videofilm "Strandzha - Border Mountain" is available on the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQAINPMspuo&list=PLwe1R4BMZjDsodEAMWnG6_lawYFnf4qtw&index=19.