Justification
Kostinbrod is one of the municipalities of Sofia district which is in a first group of municipalities with high level of adaptation toward the constantly changing economical conditions. Some of the biggest companies in Sofia districr are situated in Konstinbrod municipalities. At the same time, natural resources and their sustainable use are not studied enough. There are not any Protected areas and Protected Zones at the municipality.
All of the partners on this project consider the biodiversity as an important and still unused resource at the municipality for economical and educational activities. The field inventory in 2006 proved rich and diverse biodiversity (species and habitats) and some of the threats for it. ? ploughing, construction and pollution of marshlands and meadows; cutting the forests, etc.
To overcome the loss of biodiversity and unsustainable use of resources, the municipality is determined to make a long-term investment in nature conservation activities. The municipal authorities addressed the partners on this project for mutual work on increasing the youths? social realization and the local capacity through popularization of natural resources and their sustainable use.
Location
Kostinbrod Municipality ? marshlands, meadows, karst (limestone) terrains and forests; schools and community centres
Project Target Groups - 6 municipal schools; 9 community centres; 20 stakeholders; municipal administration; 6 sponsoring corporative partners
Goal and expected impacts
Biodiversity conservation through sustainable use of resources and environmental education development
Objectives and expected results
Implementation of measures for biodiversity of global importance in Konstinbrod municipality;
Exp.results: Prepared documentation for Protected areas; Restored marshlands; Sustainable management of territories with significant biodiversity
Environmental education development
Exp.results: Methodology and program for environmental education developed; Appliances for environmental education created; Educational eco-trails developed; Class-room in the open created;
Sustainable use of resources (sustainable agriculture, ecotourism and forestry)
Exp. results: Preserved habitats (mainly marshlands and meadows); Sustainable products produced; Visitors? flow increased
Major activities:
Implementation of priority measures for the most threatened species and habitats; Development of environmental education in the municipality; Construction of educational eco-trails ?Beledie han?, ?Wetland Ranislavtsi? and others; Local capacity raising for sustainable use of resources; Popularization.
Partnership with GEF SGP proposals/projects
The project will be implemented in partnership with the GEF SGP funded project Conservation and sustainable management of the biodiversity in the region of the Dragoman marsh and the karst hill of Chepun developped by Balkani Wildlife Society.
Sustainability
One of the leading goals of the projects is to achieve sustainability in biodiversity conservation process. The partners on this project (Foundation ?Initiatives without limits?, Bulgarian Biodiversity Foundation and Kostinbrod municipality) have a long-term commitment and will continue their partnership after the 3-years period of the project for nature conservation activities and sustainable development.
Project Budget ? total, from GEF SGP, financial, in-kind - all in Bulgarian leva and percent of total
The total project budget is BGN 160?403 , including BGN 68?633 as financial contribution from GEF SGP (42,79%), BGN 44?140 as financial contribution from other sources - SDC, Municipality (27,52%) and BGN 47?630 as in-kind contribution of the partners (29,69%).