Bio-diversity

Justification - The aim of this project is to create a product which combines sustainable use of protected sites in the Rhodope mountains as a source for development of ecotourism in the region. We believe that this way we ll give our bit in solving some of the main problems in the region like high rate of unemployment, migration, depopulation which actually reflects in environmental problems like deforestation, wildfires, overuse of natural products (fruits, herbs, mushrooms), violation of the protected regime in natural reserves, poaching etc. Our project is based on the following: - establishment of partnerships with local organizations (NGO, governmental, small business etc) which will help us to build the backbone of the future product. - development of a trail (cycling, horse riding, pedestrian) which passes nearby reserves in the Rhodopes and this way provides better access for visitors. We believe that this will bring more tourists in the region, which means more income and employment for the local people, based on the protected sites (natural reserves) as a main attraction. This way we hope to increase the awareness of the local people for the importance of protected areas and well preserved nature. - creation of financial tool (fund) to accumulate income from organized use of the route in order to refinance them in maintaining the route and expand the preservation activities in the region. - promotion of the product in order to increase the number of the visits in the Rhodopes. Location Rhodope mountains, Southern Bulgaria. Regions of Pazardjik, Smolyan, Kirdjali and Haskovo. Project Target Groups - local people involved in tourism (guesthouses, restaurants, transport, guides etc.) the increase of the tourist visits in the region means better income and occupation for this group. They will get a better knowledge of the importance of protected areas. - tourists (cyclists, horse riders, pedestrians) will get better access to and information about isolated parts of the mountains. Will increase the knowledge and awareness about the importance of protected areas. - tour operators they will be able to use a complete tourist product with all the information and research provided. Goal and expected impacts The main goal of this project is to create better opportunities for sustainable use of the protected sites in the Rhodope mountains as a resource for improving the social conditions in the region and expanding the conservation activities in the area. Expected impacts: - implementation of a new approach in the cooperation between local businesses, NGO s and governmental organizations. - establishment of a new tool to help the preservation activities in the Rhodopes. - increased number of visitors in the region. - better knowledge of the local people about the importance of protected areas. - raised public awareness about the rich biodiversity of the region. - more local people involved with alternative tourism activities. - improved access to isolated areas in the Rhodopes. Major activities - way marking of the designated trail across the Rhodope mountains. - preparation and launching of a web page providing detailed information about the project, protected areas, bike routes, accommodation etc. - compilation and print of a guide book giving thorough information about the trail (route description, villages, towns, protected areas, accommodation and other services). - organizing of training course in order to prepare local guides and other providers of services along the trail. - PR and advertising activities to promote the general product created by this project. Sustainability The long term sustainability of this project depends very much on the number of people (tourists) visiting the region and the trail in particular. Our goal is to achieve increase of this number based on the following: - partnerships with tour operators, local businesses and other NGO s. - re-investment of income accumulated from tourist visits in the region trough the use of a specialized fund to maintain the trail and expand conservation activities in the Rhodopes. - organizing events along the trail and the protected sites in order to promote them and raise awareness among the locals. - provided detailed information about the final product (incl. trail, protected sites, villages, attractions etc.) trough a designated web page and guidebook. - promotion and advertising of the trail. Project Budget total, from GEF SGP, financial, in-kind - all in Bulgarian leva and percent of total 83765 100%, 41395 49.4 %, 30 075 35.9 %, 12295 14.7 %

Bulgaria