10.00000000 45.00000000 2013 2000000 183 2500000 5 120 1200 160 900 Ministry of Agriculture and Food Ministry of Environment and Water The Institute of Soil agricultural technologies and plant protection "Nikola Pushkarov" No no information 18 5 Agricultural Academy The Institute of Soil agricultural technologies and plant protection "Nikola Pushkarov" Forest Institute with the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences St.Kliment Ohridski University of Sofia 2.00000000 Yes 1. The role and responsibilities of the business and its branch organizations in land management and combating desertification are mainly reduced to: its inclusion in the development and effective application of the rules of good practices; support and integration of technologies that are environmentally-friendly and ensure organic farming; measures for sustainable agriculture, forestry, hunting and fishing; utilization of ecological planning in the management practices of the businesses; conservation of biodiversity by encouraging the protection of cultivable lands of high nature value threatened by intensification of production and/or farmland abandonment; traditional stock-breeding practices; preservation of genetic diversity and cultural inheritance, ecotourism, etc. 2. For a second consecutive year the Ministry of Environment and Water presented awards of thanks to the business within the Green Bulgaria 2012 National Campaign financed by Operational Programme ‘Environment’. The campaign was held under the motto: ‘Being green is not just a responsibility, but a vision into the world of tomorrow!’ Being green means to think of the nature, the future and everybody around you. Every one of us is important and deserves to live and work in a clean and healthy environment. Being green is not just a responsibility. It is a vision into the world of tomorrow. More than 30 companies and business organizations showed interest in the campaign, of which 9 companies were presented with awards in three categories. The proposals were selected by a Commission independent of MEW in which famous people with vivid public presence were invited. 3. MEW is also an active partner in the Let’s Clean Bulgaria in One Day campaign. In 2013 the Ministy donates 38,500 pairs of gloves and 38,500 bin bags as well as fuel vouchers in the amount of BGN 71,000 for the transportation of the waste to the landfills. The initiative engages the whole MEW structure – regional inspectorates, Waste Management Directorate, which are in contact with all mayors in the country. The purpose of the Green Bulgaria campaign is to impose the understanding that we are the nature and to exist in harmony, we are the ones who have to look after it. The Ministry of Environment and Water encourages and stimulates every initiative in this regard. Being green means to think of the nature, the future and everybody around you. Every one of us is important and deserves to live and work in a clean and healthy environment. 4. Celebrating the 2013 National Soil Day on 5 December 2013 with a presentation of the Global Partnership for the Soil and Achievements of the Scientists from N. Pushkarov ISSAPP in the closing of the scientific studies/integration of scientific achievements/consulting services/education cycle in the field of research, protection and sustainable management of soil resources. 5. WWF Danube-Carpathian Programme: When participating in innovative and challenging partnerships in the private sector, WWF works with companies to help them change the way they do business, to reduce their ecological footprint and to stimulate changes and innovative solutions. The main guiding principles of corporate engagement of WWF are transparency, measurable results, and the right not to agree. Projects related to private sector. 6. Flyers, brochures, CDs and monographs with results have been distributed regarding risk assessment, vulnerability and management of drought in agriculture and the role of irrigation and adaptation of irrigation regimes to climate changes at AGRA International Exhibition, on the World Water Day, and on 3 scientific conferences: 7. More than 36 articles published in Bulgarian and foreign magazines and scientific symposia, 9 reports delivered at international and national forums on the problems of climate change and the impact on agricultural crops and soil. 8. The events held have popularized the drought-related problems and the recommended measures for the reduction of the negative impact of climate change, expressed in the form of articles, reports, brochures and fold-outs. 9. At the end of June 2013 the Ministry of Environment and Water and the World Bank organized a seminar dedicated to: The Role of Insurance and Financial Instruments for Climate Change Risk Management in Bulgaria’. The seminar was attended by representatives of government institutions, scientific institutes and universities, non-governmental organizations and the insurance sector. The main goals of the seminar were: to exchange experience between the concerned parties; to raise awareness on the various insurance options to reduce the risks of climate changes; to outline the next steps in the development of financial solutions for the disaster risk management. 10. Organizing a round table on drought issues as a result of the climate changes and the application of good agricultural practices under water deficit conditions as part of the scientific and information events of the Agricultural Academy (AA) during Agra-2012. World Wildlife Fund Bulgarian Biodiversity Foundation Central Balkan National Park Rila National Park Bluelink Foundation Bioselena Organic Farming Foundation For the Nature in Bulgaria Coalition Global, mobile operator 17 6 Ministry of Environment and Water Ministry of Agriculture and Food The Institute of Soil agricultural technologies and plant protection "Nikola Pushkarov" 5.00000000 Yes 1. More than 30 media were trained on the project of Conducting information campaign directed towards measures 112, 121, 142, 214 and 213 in 2011 with Recurring information meetings for the popularization of RDP and in particular the measures related to the conservation of biological diversity. 2. Rural Development Programme 2014-2020: awareness-rising and educational activities are planned directly related to the restoration, conservation and strengthening of the biological diversity, including in the areas within Natura 2000 and in the areas with natural or any other specific restrictions and agriculture of high nature value, and of the European landscapes. These activities will be in the form of 18-hour seminars with an emphasis on training in conservation and strengthening of biological diversity, including in the areas within Natura 2000, and agriculture of high nature value and visits of agricultural holdings with an emphasis on exchange of experience in organic farming. The activities directly related to the improvement of the status of biological diversity in the agricultural sector are the stipulated awareness-raising activities related to increasing efficiency in water use by agriculture, increasing efficiency in energy use in agriculture and food processing, reducing greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions from agriculture; fostering carbon sequestration in agriculture and forestry. 3. Science has an indisputable significance and a key role in the development and application of the SLM schemes. A strong foundation of scientific knowledge and exchange of such knowledge by the participants are necessary as well as considerable financial resources in support of the efforts in land conservation and sustainable management. The Ministry of Education, Youth and Science has financed a number of projects related to scientific studies, such as analysis, evaluations, creation of indicators and methods in the field of ecology. 4. Project: ‘Programme for the improvement of interdisciplinary preparation and enhancement of the qualification of young scientists in the field of soil science and ecology’ under Operational Programme Human Resource Development. Project Manager on behalf of Nikola Pushkarov ISSAPP. 5. Initiatives of the scientific community in the field of education with regard to the drought, climate change and biodiversity: - Dissertation defended by M. Ivanova, 2013: Agricultural drought risk assessment and ameliorative regimes for mitigation of the consequences thereof for the award of a PhD degree in the vocational filed 6.1: Plant-growing, scientific field of study: Ameliorations (including soil erosion and combating the same). - Report on the application of the WinISAREG model for analyses of the combined impact of the fluctuations and climate changes, soil development and crop sensitivity to water stress and the applied agricultural techniques on the risk of and the vulnerability to drought in Southeast Europe delivered by Prof. Eng. Z. Popova, PhD, Final Conference and Working Meeting on the DMCSEE Project, Ljubljana, 2012; - Consultations given to agricultural producers on irrigation and draining-related issues; - Use of water-saving techniques for drip and micro spray irrigation of agricultural crops; - Correct use of irrigation regimes under water deficit conditions; - Combat filtration in drains and levellers to reduce water waste and save water resources; - Application of good practices for draining and combating floods. The total number of consultations given in the specified period is around 180-200. Yes Yes Yes National Environmental Strategy; Strategic Plan for Biological Diversity 2011-2020; National programme for the necessary measures in conditions of a tendency to drought; Third National Action Plan for Climate Change for the period 2013-2020; National Waste Management Plan 2014-2020; National Development Programme: Bulgaria 2020; Strategy for agriculture and rural development sector in the Republic of Bulgaria until 2020; National Strategy for management and development of the water sector in the Republic of Bulgaria 2013-2015; National Strategy for Sustainable Development of Agriculture in Bulgaria in the period 2014–2020. Yes Taking into account the urgent need of complex measures to improve the condition of soil resources and in support of the effective performance of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), by Decision No. 621 on 30th September 2008 the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Bulgaria adopted a National Action Program for Sustainable Land Management and Combat against Desertification in Republic of Bulgaria (2007 – 2013)”(NAP for SLM and CD), entrusting the Minister of Environment and Water, the Minister of Agriculture and Food and the President of the National Forest Agency with the implementation of the Programme. Since the development of the Bulgarian National Action Programme for SLM and CD coincides in terms of time with the development of the 10-Year Strategic Plan of UNCCD (2008-2018) (10YSP) project, the work on the development of the NAP for SLM and CD of Bulgaria was entirely synchronized with the concept, goals, strategic directions, measures and requirements both for its implementation and for the implementation of UNCCD at national level. Scientific studies on SLM of the last 15 years were used as an information base, entirely based on the biophysical and socio-economic conditions in our country as well as on the national planning and policy. The strategic goal of NAP for SLM and CD of Bulgaria is: ‘Minimizing land degradation and combating desertification to protect and develop the capacity of ecosystems, to achieve a clean, safe and attractive environment, economic stability and improved quality of life’. The National Action Programme offers a number of Strategic directions, Programmes and Measures for the protection and restoration of soil resources as well as Measures for the strengthening of the institutional and technical capacity for sustainable land management and combat against desertification. Strengthening the local capacity for land use planning and taking decisions with the participation of the concerned parties. Training of land users and demonstrations of sustainable land use. The strategic directions included in NAP for SLM and CD of the Republic of Bulgaria are synchronized also in compliance with the Strategic directions in the 10YSP for: • information and awareness-raising activities; • policies (regulatory and strategic framework); • science, knowledge and technology; The National Action Programme has a well-developed Strategic Framework with Programmes and projects bound by implementation time limits and planned funds, mainly from the National Budget. Moreover, a great part of the programmes included in the strategic framework are integrated with other already existing programmes and national plans and policies directly or indirectly related to SLM. • increasing the capacity; • financing and transfer of technologies; The development of the National Action Programme for SLM and CD of the Republic of Bulgaria coincides in terms of time with the development of the 10-Year Strategic Plan of UNCCD (2008-2018) (10YSP) project, therefore the work on its development was entirely synchronized with the concept, goals, strategic directions of UNCCD 10YSP, whereby we fulfilled one of the main obligations of the Member States to the Convention: adaptation of the National Action Programmes to the Strategic Plan of the Convention. Since the planned funds within the set time frame of the National Action Programme originate mostly from the National Budget and are for the 2007/2013 period, as of now the Programme is no longer applicable. Bulgaria has taken the necessary regulatory actions for its updating (in the strategic part and the time frame) for the next Programme period (2014/2020) in order to synchronize our mutual actions for its implementation. Ministry of Environment and Water Executive Environmental Agency Ministry of Agriculture and Food 1 3 4 0 0 0 0 1 At present, Bulgaria is not planning initiatives related to programming of joint implementation of commitments under the three Rio Conventions. Within the period of 2002-2003, the “Bulgarian National Capacity Self-Assessment (NCSA) for Improved Global Environmental Management” has been implemented by MOEW. The Project is a joint initiative of the Ministry of environment and waters and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), with resources of the Global Environment Facility (GEF). The project enables an in-depth assessment of the capacity of Bulgaria to fulfill its obligations under three UN Conventions and supports an analysis of the future needs for capacity building on systematic, institutional and individual levels. As a finished product from the implementation of the project is the development of a Strategy and Plan (2005-2012) for provision of the required capacity for the implementation of Bulgaria’s obligation under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, The UN Convention on Biological Diversity and the UN Convention to combat Desertification. The collaboration and the mutual assistance among the three conventions is intensifying, on national, regional and international level simultaneously, with the objective of ensuring their complete implementation for sustainable development. Projects of NGOs and civil society are initiated with the support of MOEW for joint activities on the subject-matter of the three conventions. During the period 2005-2012 were taken several measures to enhance the capacity of local and national levels to support the implementation of the three conventions. The plan is no longer relevant, but is not currently planned initiatives related to programming of joint implementation of commitments under the three Rio Conventions. 0 0 0 0 Ministry of Environment and Water Yes Yes no differences Executive Environmental Agency Yes Maintenance of national monitoring system in respect of land degradation, desertification and drought. Number per types of observations. MONITORING OF LAND AND SOILS In 2004 a soil monitoring programme organized on three levels was developed and ratified by the Minister of environment and water. The monitoring programme is fully complied with the latest requirements of EC and EEA, with the good practices in a number of European countries, as well as with the national legislation adopted at a later stage, in the period 2007-2009 (the Soils Act and Ordinance on Soil Monitoring). The soil monitoring programme is organized on three levels as follows: Observations on Level І (extensive monitoring) are carried out within a uniform network of 16х16 km, in 397 points and provide data for assessment of the status of the soils as per the following indicators - 9 heavy metals, total nitrogen, phosphorus, limited carbon, active soil reaction (pH), nitrate nitrogen, total carbon and persistent organic pollutants -16 PAH, 6 PCB, 8-chlorine organic pollutants, bulk density. Observation periodicity - 5 years. The observations on Level ІІ are oriented towards regional manifestation of degradation processes – acidification - 54 polygons and salinification - 12 polygons. Observations are annual. Erosion processes – sheet and wind – are observed through specifically elaborated mathematical models for assessment and forecast. The soil sealing is evaluated based on statistical data and mapping of land cover. (project Corine Land Cover). The observations on Level ІІІ are identified with the so-called local soil pollution locations, within which an inventory is to be made of areas with polluted soil. The inventory is still partial and irregular, based on the available data. In 2007 a specialized Ordinance was validated at EPA, as the validation of the inventory methodology is forthcoming. The periodicity of observations differs depending on the processes. The tests of soil samples are performed at 15 Regional Laboratories of EXEA, which are accredited. The national soil monitoring system is organized and guided by EXEA. On an annual basis the executive director of EXEA validates the annual monitoring programme – points, sample collection terms, processing and analysis. Information about the status of the soils, trends of change in the various indicators, as well as of the areas affected by the separate processes is prepared annually by EXEA and is published in the National Report for the Status and Protection of the Environment. The accession of Bulgaria to the European Union imposed the necessity of updating the methods and approach to the implementation of soil monitoring for the purpose of bringing them to compliance with the European standards. A main problem was the lack of compatibility between the methods for analysis and the standards for research of soil indicators between the separate European countries, as well as the lack of compatibility between the classifications of soils. According to the requirements regarding the functioning of the soil monitoring network it was necessary for all 397 points (in their respective polygons) to be described and to have their soil profiles characterized as per the national classification system – the system and the international FAO and WRB 2006 (the global reference system for description of soil profiles as per we which we report to ЕЕА and JRS – word soil database). The accurate description of soil profiles is directly related to the interpretation (analysis and assessment) of the data obtained from the networks. Every analysis and assessment are made in accordance with the particular soil variation and the type of land use - on this basis the assessment is related to the overall status of the soil variation on a national level, respectively on European level. In this respect Contract No. 2166/11.01.2012 was executed between EXEA and Soil Monitoring OOD for performance of public procurement with subject: “Description of the polygons and soil profiles of the points within the monitoring network on the first assessment level of soil quality”. Within the scope of the report under Contract No. 2166/11.01.2012 between EXEA and Soil Monitoring OOD for performance of public procurement with subject: “Description of the polygons and soil profiles of the points within the monitoring network on the first assessment level of soil quality” the following documentation is included: 1. Review of the new methodological approach for monitoring of the soil network; 2. Field research and description of the soil profiles of the 397 points are carried out; 3. Laboratory analyses of particular physical and chemical indicators along the depth of soil profiles, within a scope and in details sufficient for a justified and evidenced classification of soils as per each of the three soil classifications – the national classification system, the system FAO and World Reference Base for Soil Resources (WRB); 4. Classification of each profile as per the three classification systems based on the research; 5. Spatial database (SDB) is established, containing the entire information collected about the 397 monitoring points – defined by the Contracting Authority as subject of classification. SDB is systematized and imported in a GIS environment. The planning and management of land use are of main importance for environment protection. The activities for protection of agricultural lands are related to the protection and restoration of the qualities of the agricultural lands, the performance of land reclamation activities and exercising of strict control in the change of the lands for implementation of various investment intentions. Farmers are stimulated to implement environment-friendly practices and for assuming such commitments there have been developed various subsidizing and/ or compensatory measures. In urbanized territories efforts are directed towards the preservation, expansion and development of new green areas. Strict regimes are imposed under for admittance of a change in the intended use of agricultural lands. Monitoring of land and Soils http://nfp-bg.eionet.eu.int/bul/NSMOS/Soil/index.html Yes Yes National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology Executive Environmental Agency Third National Action Plan for Climate Change for the period 2013-2020; Yes Yes Yes Yes Natural factors: Climate,Relief. Anthropogenic activities (including some social and economic prerequisites): Agriculture, Stock-breeding, Forestry, Territorial – urban structure and infrastructure, Industry (including ore output ) and energy production. Bulgaria is situated in a geographical area which is one of the most vulnerable in terms of climate changes. The following facts can be noted: • Since the 1970s in Bulgaria there has been observed a tendency of warmer weather; in the second half of the XX century winters have been milder; • 20 of the last 23 years after 1989 were with positive anomalies of the average annual air temperature compared to the climate norm (1961–1990); • The longest drought periods were observed in the 1940s and the last two decades of the XX century, and the most significant droughts were in 1945 and 2000; • There have been observed more and longer drought periods followed by serious storms and severe floods with destructions and casualties; • The frequency of the extreme meteorological and climate phenomena is increasing, such as: considerable increase in the average number of days with twenty-four-hour rainfalls of over 100 mm – by around 30% for the 1991–2007 period compared to the basic period (1961–1990), increase in the cases of torrential rains registered in the meteorological network, more frequent spring-summer type of clouds with rainfalls, thunder-storms and hailstorms in the winter months, such as January and February, increased frequency of the average number of days with thunder-storms and hailstorms in April and September in the 1991–2006 period, compared to the ones in the basic period; • The annual amplitude between the maximum and the minimum air temperature is decreasing: the minimum temperature is increasing faster than the maximum one. • The snowy months in the mountains decrease and the snow thickness shows a permanent tendency to become thinner; • The upper limit of the deciduous forests is shifting higher; • The data from the phenological observations shows a seven to fifteen-day advance in development in the various climate regions, which unequivocally testifies to a warmer climate in the past 30 years compared to earlier periods. The topography of the country is diverse. Mountains are high and low, rocky and folded, cut in places by deep valleys, shallow river beds and vast plains. The farm lands cover 5,782,00 hectares and are 52.1% of the territory of the country, of which 48-50% are kept as fields, 31% as pastures, 7-8% as fallow lands, approximately 4% as perennial plants and about 8% as uncultivated land. Approximately 40% of the soil area of the country is covered with forests having a total area of 4,063,555 ha, of which 3,648,005 ha are wooded and 108,549 ha are woodless.As a result of the business activities in which the anthropogenic effect is faster than that of the natural factors, the natural state of the forest territories is damaged and in many cases it is the reason for the degradation of the forest lands. The non-regulated economic activities in the past related to the destruction of the forests by fires, felling and pasture lead to the development of soil erosion over a considerable part of the Bulgarian territory. The pollution with heavy metals, the acidification of the soils and the changes resulting from forest fires have their share in the degradation of the forest soils, the worsening of their quality and therefore the fall of their productive potential. For about half a century large scale anti-erosion measures were taken by the forestry institutions over a considerable part of the forest fund. The problems with the erosion, however, are still pressing. Stock-breeding in Bulgaria is a traditional branch with serious advantages, originating from the favorable environmental conditions, the farming culture and the century-long traditions. Only in 565 stock-breeding farms there is specially protected manure-heaps for production and storage of compost from the animals (data from the counting of the farms in 2003 ). In more than 20 % of the farms there are no elementary conditions for the storage and use of the manure. This means that even in the large stock-breeding farms there are no conditions for efficient ecological and profitable production, storage and use of compost. The state of the infrastructure is also unsatisfactory. Territorial – urban structure and infrastructure.. The reasons for the degradation of the land resources include the over-packing of the territories and the territorial growth of the big cities, which results in occupation of the surrounding areas, agricultural mostly. A concomitant fact is the continuous pollution and over consumption of the water resources. In the same time there exist the problems of the periphery zones like depopulation, which provokes the inefficient land utilization and the loss of productive lands. The neglected and not-maintained industrial zones are an example of anthropogenic degradation which, besides the ecological functions of the landscape, strongly damages its visual quality. The state of the urban ecosystems is seriously damaged due to the decrease in the investments for their maintenance. The reduction of the green zones is an expressive proof of this. There exist serious problems in waste management. Industry (including ore output ) and energy production The crucial sectors which contribute to a number of degradation processes of the land resources and lead to their main technogene pollution (including technogene saltiness) in Bulgaria are the ore and coal output, the processing industry (chemical and metallurgical), the energy production by the thermal power plants (TPP) from solid fuel and the cement industry. The technogene pollution is manifested in two forms – diffuse and local. The greatest contribution to local pollutions comes from the operating enterprises of the mining industry, the chemical industry and the metallurgy, from accidents and as a result of activities of disposal and storage of waste materials (industrial, from the mining industry, from the storehouses for pesticides, etc.), the industrial waste landfill being the main pollutant (256 of them are intended for production and hazardous waste, and 1100 – for waste materials from the ore output and dressing). On the basis of the proved risk and the identified priority group some measures for sanitation are proposed and different technical solutions are under discussion. The adopted legislative actions will lead in the next few years to the reduction of the adverse impact. The secondary use of waste from the ore and coal output and the dressing of the ores is however limited, mainly due to the lack of technologies and respective interest. All mentioned anthropogenic impacts result in the damaging of the functions of the eco-systems and to limiting the eco-system services: productive (changes in the nutritive levels of the soils and the surface water, de-nitrification, risk of swamping/draining; soil erosion, packing of the soils by the heavy machinery, pollution with heavy and/or rare metals and toxic elements), regulating (water protection, changes in the level and the quality of the underground water); supporting (environment formation – loss of land resources, formation of soles; sliding of rock masses, denudation processes, changes in the morphology of the land surface and the river flows, dust raised by the traffic); cultural (loss of cultural and historical valuables, arise of conflicts in the use of the land, destruction of recreation zones). There is also the adverse impact on the biological diversity. Strategic Plan for Biological Diversity 2011-2020; No Yes 1. Enhancing the capacity for the implementation of the biological diversity objectives (new structures, interservice committees etc.) The national capacity for the implementation of the biological diversity objectives has been enhanced. Activities have been implemented in the following important strands, mainly related to the implementation of Operational Programme „Environment“ 2007–2013 , Priority axis 4: Technical Assistance: • Establishing and strengthening of the required new units to the Ministry of Environment and Water (MEW); • Staffing and logistics strengthening of the existing units in MEW and its regional structures; • Training courses for the staff in existing structures; • Establishment of interservice and expert working groups – Interservice expert working group to the Biodiversity Convention (2008 ), Interservice expert groups under the Climate change and biological diversity (2009), Interservice expert group to the Nagoya Protocol (2011 ), working group on issues concerning invasive species (2011); • Establishment of a new scientific unit at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences through merging of 3 existing scientific units – Institute of biodiversity and ecosystem research (as of 2010), with the aim to conduct scientific research of national and supranational scope in the field of the theoretical and application aspects of the biodiversity, ecology, preservation of the environment and the sustainable use of biological resources. 2. Participation in a round table and discussions, proposals made in relation to the drought management through the products of EUMETSAT and LSASAF based on our experience and results as a partner in the DMCSEE project for bulletin purposes and for the development of an Action Plan for Bulgaria and Southeast Europe, Training workshop DMCSEE, Congress Center Brdo, 15 November 2013, Ljubljana. 3. Participation in a specialized course in application of data from Remote sensing models for energy balance of the earth surface to assess the evapotranspiration (ET) and to monitor the drought based in satellite images, Training workshop DMCSEE, Congress Center Brdo, 11-14th November 2013, Ljubljana. 4. Organization and participation in a seminar on: ‘Rehabilitation and renewal of the irrigation systems in Bulgaria for effective water use’, in honour of the World Water Day, 22-23 March 2013, Science and Technology Union, Sofia. 5. On 27 February 2012 in Conference Room 1 of the Rector’s Office of St. Kliment Ohridski University of Sofia an open seminar and a round table were held on: ‘International climate negotiations. Expectations, policies, positions.’ 6. Organization of academic forums to raise awareness on the significance of biodiversity in Bulgaria. Ministry of Environment and Water Ministry of Agriculture and Food Research institutes of the Agricultural Academy and the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences Yes Yes 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 No 1. For the period 2009–2013, the funding of the activities was implemented mainly under Operational Programme „Environment“. The specific objectives are: Preservation and improvement of the state of water; Enhancing the waste management and the soil protection; Preservation of the biodiversity and environmental protection. The implementation of the said objectives will lead to improving the quality of life of the population in the country and increasing the possibilities to invest in its economy. The overall financial envelope for the implementation of Operational Programme “Environment 2007 - 2013” amounts to Euro 1 800 748 087. Under Priority axis 2 in the Waste Management and the soil protection sector, the co-financing is provided by the European Regional Development Fund and amounts to Euro 311 732 038. The national co-financing is Euro 55 011 536, which comes to a total amount of the funds intended for the implementation of the activities in the sector, Euro 366.74 mln. 2. An Enterprise for the Management of Environmental Protection Activities is established at the Ministry of Environment and Water. The enterprise provides free financial aid to environmental projects of municipalities under qualification requirements publicly announced on its website and grants loans for financing environmental projects and activities of municipalities, physical persons and legal entities under qualification requirements publically announced on its website. EMEPA provided financing to non-investment projects and activities, enabling the implementation of the environmental protection and restoration policy of the Ministry of Environment and Water. It finances: • Waste Management Projects; • Projects for construction of waste water treatment plants and sewage networks ; • Projects related to construction and reconstruction of small water supply pipelines and facilities of local importance for potable water supply of the population; • Projects in the field of the protection of ambient air; • Projects related to organic farming, environmentally sound livestock breeding and ecotourism; • Biodiversity projects; • Rules for granting loans by the Enterprise for the Management of Environmental Protection Activities. • Technical Assistance for preparation of investment projects for funding the Operational Programme „Environment 2007-2013” The funds are released in the form of: - Grants; - Interest-free loans. Ministry of Environment and Water 1 1 1 1 For the period 2009–2013, the funding of the activities is effected mainly under the Operational Programme „Environment“. As a result of the complete reform in the procedures and the priorities for spending the funds and the accelerated implementation of infrastructure environmental projects actual improvement of the quality of life of the population was achieved and development of diverse business sectors in the context of crisis. At the end of 2012, a remarkable progress was achieved, as well as improvement on all indicators for the implementation of OPE. Projects for BGN 4.825 bln. were assessed and contracted, or 137 % of the total amount of the funds under the programme, and more than 60 % of this amount was contracted in 2012 alone. In 2012 was the start of the development of Operating Programme Environment for the period 2014-2020. With the purpose to implement the measures under all operating programmes within this period and in the context of the environmental protection, “Guidelines to integrate the environmental policy in the process of programming for the period 2014-2020 on national level. Yes Structural Funds of the European Union BGN - Bulgarian Lev BGN - Bulgarian Lev 572000000.00000000 Yes Ministry of Environment and Water 20.00000000 2013 As a party to UNCCD, Bulgaria is obliged to build capacity for protection, promotion and use of appropriate traditional and local technologies, knowledge, know-how and practices to combat desertification and land degradation. Some institutes use their own funding and technical support of such activities, but they are too weak. The small number of financially supported implementation activities on this stage lead to lowering the interest among scientists, despite many of the very good traditions in the past. The effective and sustainable management of natural resources also requires the participation and support of science. This requires preparation of a detailed analysis of environmental conditions in areas affected by desertification, assessing the causes of land degradation and the effects of drought and desertification, and determining the priority areas for action. In the course of these activities, we must seek to implement the UNCCD initiatives related to the processes of combating poverty and the forced migration of rural people. Various sectoral Strategic Plans use diverse resource mobilization methods. In view of drought and water scarcity issues, in 2012 the National Assembly of Bulgaria adopted a National Strategy for management and development of the water sector, proposing short-term, medium-term and long-term actions for achieving the intended objective. Decrease in the total quantities of water consumed through increasing the investments in the aquaculture infrastructure and measures to enhance efficiency in the use of water resources: • Introduction of two rates of the water consumption fee, which will stimulate the saving of water by the population and the business – deadline: 2015; • Exchange of the water supply network in urban areas, but with priority for urban areas with temporary or permanent mode of supply - deadline: 2015; In view of the effective implementation of the 2011-2020 Strategic Biodiversity Plan, a significant increase is planned by 2020 compared to the current level and mobilization of financial resources from all sources in line with the process approved and agreed by the Resource Mobilization Strategy. This objective will be subject to change depending on the assessment of the required resources, which should be conducted and reported by the country Parties. For the period 2009-2013, Bulgaria implemented a policy for increasing the financial flows and co-financing under projects, related to activities for conservation and sustainable use of the biodiversity /BD/. Bulgaria voted for the adoption in 2010 in Nagoya of the Resource Mobilization Strategy. For the period 2009–2013, the funding of the activities was mainly under the Operational Programme „Environment“. Because of limited resources, the efforts were directed in priority areas, mostly in the establishment and the start of the operation of NATURA 2000 ecological network in the country. The national capacity in respect of human resources and competencies has been significantly enhanced (e.g. through structural and organizational changes within the Ministry of Environment and Water and its regional structures, municipal administration, scientific organizations), but still significant efforts are required in this respect, mostly related to enhancing the qualification of the experts and improving the organization of the work. With the eighth amendment of the Rural Development Programme /RDP/, approved on 11.05.2012, a Guarantee Fund was established to improve the access to funding of beneficiaries under the programme. The Guarantee Fund will issue guarantees for side collateral under loans of companies within the meaning of the Law on Small and Medium-sized Companies with projects approved under RDP, co-financed by measure 121 „Modernization of agricultural holdings”, measure 122 „Improvement of the economic value of forests” and measure 123 „Adding value to agricultural and forestry products”. The Guarantee Fund under RDP is established as a separate financial block within the „National Guarantee Fund” EAD (part of Bulgarian Development Bank) with capital in the amount of Euro 121 100 000, of which the contributions of the Community amount to Euro 96 880 000, and the national contributions amount to Euro 24 220 000. National Plan for Development of Organic Farming in Bulgaria 2007-2013: The implementation of the activities set out in the plan contributes to the protection of soil, water, habitats, human and animal health. The financial funds are provided by the budget, under the Technical Assistance and separate measures of the Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2007-2013. Strategic Objective ІІ: “Eight per cent of the arable agricultural land in Bulgaria will be managed according to organic farming principles by 2013”, Specific Objective 1: “Increase in the number of agricultural holdings applying organic farming production principles”. The number of operators in organic farming marks a continuous growth. In 2010 - 820 operators, in 2011 - 1 054 operators, in 2012 - 2 016 operators. In 2012, all cultivated land under organic farming also marks a growth by 9 488 ha compared to the preceding 2011. From a total 20 618 ha, cultivated land has increased to 30 106 ha. Compared to 2009, the increase is more than three times and compared to 2006 is almost seven times. Strategic Objective ІV: “Practice-oriented scientific research, education, training and consulting in organic farming”, Specific Objective 2: Functioning of an effective ongoing consultation system in organic farming (production, marketing, processing, farm management) at national level by2010, Task 2: “Introduction of targeted government financial support to organic operators for organic farming consultations”: The financial support of the organic production in the country is effected mainly with funds under some of the measures of the RDP, which is an incentive for the development of the sector. Part 1 of 10 1. Project No. 127: “Assessment of Soil Biodiversity in Eroded Lands and Development of Biotechnological Methods as a Component of Soil Preservation Practices”. Financing authority – Agricultural Academy. Contractor of the project: ISSAPP “N. Pushkarov”.Implementation period: 2011-2013,Duration – 3, Status – completed. 2. Project No. 130: “Cultivation Systems and Agro-technical and Agro-melioration Solutions for Soils with Damaged Agro-production and Technological Properties”.Financing authority – Agricultural Academy. Contractor of the project: ISSAPP “N. Pushkarov”. Implementation period: 2011-2013 Duration – 3 Status – completed. 3. Project No. 133: “Waste Management related to Decreasing of Harmful Emissions and Production of Energy from Renewable Energy Sources”. Contractor of the project: ISSAPP “N. Pushkarov”. Implementation period: 2011-2013 Duration – 3 Status – completed. Financing authority – Agricultural Academy. 4. Project No. 135: “Ecological and Genetic Diagnostics and Agro-production Assessment of Low-production Soils and Modern Methods for Improvement of their Taxonomy, Utilization and Preservation”.Financing authority – Agricultural Academy Contractor of the project: ISSAPP “N. Pushkarov”. Implementation period: 2011-2013 Duration – 3 Status – completed. 5. Project No. 159: “Modern Methods for Assessment of Erosion, Modeling of Processes and Optimization of Practices for Sustainable Anti-erosion Land Use”. Contractor of the project: ISSAPP „N. Pushkarov”. Financing authority – Agricultural Academy. Implementation period: 2012-2014 Duration – 3 Status – ongoing. 6. Joint project of ISSAPP “N. Pushkarov” and National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology – Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (lead contractor) DO 02-8/03.02.2009 “Present and Future Climate Changes and Mitigation of Their Influence for Development of Sustainable Agriculture in Bulgaria”. Project objective: On the basis of the changes of climatic and production conditions in the country expected until 2012, 2020 and 2050, the development and productivity o the basic crops have been forecasted and the evapotranspiration has been calculated. This will allow the updating of the agroclimatological zoning for growing the same under irrigation and non-irrigation conditions. Country Bulgaria Completed Agricultural Academy BGN - Bulgarian Lev 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 1 1 1 8000.00000000 Yes 9 3 BGN - Bulgarian Lev Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 Information for the indicators 3, 4, 18 as well as information of human and financial resources allocated for the reporting process for the year 2013 have not been officially published by the Ministry yet. Thus, these indicators were filled only for the year 2012. The report will be updated as soon as the information for 2013 is available. Tatyana Dimitrova 2014-07-25 urbansoil@moew.government.bg Tatyana Dimitrova urbansoil@moew.government.bg 2014-07-25 Bulgaria Part 2 of 10 DIR- 5113326-5-99 Sustainable Management and Structure of Strandja Nature Park Country Bulgaria Completed European Regional development Fund/ State budget of the Republic of Bulgaria BGN - Bulgarian Lev 7821000.00000000 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 Part 3 of 10 DIR-5113326-4-98 Activities for Sustainable Management of Vitosha Nature Park Country Bulgaria On-going Cohesion Fund BGN - Bulgarian Lev 4454255.00000000 State budget of the Republic of Bulgaria BGN - Bulgarian Lev 786045.00000000 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 Part 4 of 10 LIFE08 NAT/BG/000281 Preservation and restoration of 11 types of natural habitats along rivers and wetlands in 10 Natura 2000 locations in Bulgarian forests Country Bulgaria Completed EU/State budget of the Republic of Bulgaria EUR - Euro 1236843.00000000 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 Part 5 of 10 SEE/A/118/2.2/X. Practical Use of Monitoring in the Management of Natural Disasters Project Project acronym: MONITOR II Financing programme: South East Europe Operational Programme, Priority axis II: Protection and improvement of the environment. Country Bulgaria Country Austria Country Greece Country Italy Country Romania Country Serbia Country Slovenia Completed Total project budget EUR - Euro 2358000.00000000 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 Part 6 of 10 DIR - 5113326 – 8 – 10 Execution of Activities for Sustainable Management of Bulgarka Nature Park Country Bulgaria On-going State budget of the Republic of Bulgaria BGN - Bulgarian Lev 7364200.00000000 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 Part 7 of 10 BE-NATUR Better management and implementation of Natura 2000 sites” (BE-NATUR), an international project finance under Operational Programme “South-East Europe Country Bulgaria Country Hungary Country Austria Country Italy Country Romania Country Greece Country Serbia Completed EU/State budget of the Republic of Bulgaria EUR - Euro 2021215.00000000 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 Part 8 of 10 Life10/NAT/BG/000146 Preservation of the genetic fund and restoration of priority forest habitats in Natura 2000 areas Country Bulgaria Completed EU/State budget of the Republic of Bulgaria EUR - Euro 589602.00000000 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 Part 9 of 10 LIFE09 NAT/BG/000229 Conservation and Restoration of Black Sea Priority Oak Habitats Project Country Bulgaria Completed LIFE+ financial instrument EU EUR - Euro 681831.00000000 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 Part 10 of 10 SEE AF/A/091/2.2/X Drought management centre for South East Europe Country Bulgaria Country Slovenia Country Hungary Country The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Country Croatia Country Montenegro Completed European Regional development Fund EUR - Euro 7487422.00000000 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 0