Revitalization of abandoned dump sites

The project aims at addressing issues which are of universal character for the region and the both countries such as establishing public awareness for sustainable use of natural resources and building an environmentally conscious society.
The main project activities are research of the needs of and awareness about nature protection in rural area, mapping of illegal dump sites, elaboration of study "Best practices for illegal dumping prevention and their effect on business development", development of children manual of ecological issues "Let's think green". Eco workshops in Kirklareli will be organized and a campaign for cleaning and revitalization of dump sites (disinfection, reforestation etc.) will be conducted.
As a result of the implementation of the project Joint management plan of protected areas in the common CB region and joint detailed map of the illegal dumpsites will be elaborated. Thus the capacity for nature protection, sustainable use and management of common natural resources through cooperation activities in the cross-border area will be improved.

Project status: Completed on June 9, 2021

The project activities have been implemented with a change in the planned schedule and the way of activities implementation, caused by the conditions of the measures taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The industrialization and development of technology in the modern world have contributed to global pollution. Along with population growth and urbanization, increased consumption leads to an increase in waste. If solid waste is not disposed of properly, it pollutes the air, water and soil. Therefore, it is necessary to use methods that are least harmful to the environment. In solid waste management, many cities are experiencing various problems, which largely depend on insufficient information on solid waste management and recycling.

To raise the awareness of the population on both sides of the border, the partners from Bulgaria and Turkey surveyed the attitudes of the population in 50 settlements in Kirklareli district and 50 settlements in Yambol district to identify the needs and awareness of the need for nature protection and the environment in the cross-border region.

The project also included a study of good practices for the prevention of illegal dumping and their effect on business development. Illegal waste disposal sites in the cross-border region have been mapped and a web-based platform has been developed to signal and identify areas in the region where illegal landfills and /or sites with a risk of pollution have been or are being generated. The partners - the municipalities of Yambol and Kirklareli - have prepared a plan for joint management of protected areas in the common cross-border region. A campaign was conducted for the cleaning and revitalization of landfills and afforestation on the territory of the municipalities of Popovo and Bolyarovo.

A team from both sides developed an educational material for children "Thinking together", which focuses on waste collection, recycling and aims to create responsibility for environmental protection and conducted a three-day online workshop on "Waste Separation" with the participation of students from Bulgaria and Turkey.

The platform for signalling areas with unregulated landfills is available to citizens at http://transborder-landfills.eu

The prepared studies, the Plan for joint management of the protected areas in the cross-border region, the children's educational material "Let's think together" and a short film about the project can be found HERE