2.2. Justification
Bio/phytoremediation technologies now are very promising and applicable to clean-up polluted soils/sites without excavation. Researches have established that the cost of phytoremediation as a clean-up strategy is far less than that of current conventional methods. It has been suggested that phytotechnologies are 40% less costly than other in-situ remediation approaches, and 90% less costly than ex-situ approaches (ITRC, 2001). Currently, in the U.K., several different types of phytoremediation are being used commercially, or are in advanced stages of research and development. Numerous sites exist throughout Eastern Europe and especially in Bulgaria that could potentially benefit from this emerging technology.
These technologies are expected to be applied for remediation of more than 1200 sites, polluted by POPs pesticides in the country and approx. 10 000 ha polluted by heavy metals. Because of that it is necessary a capacity building and public knowledge to be increased in order implementation of the bio/phytotechnologies for remediation polluted by POPs pesticides and heavy metals soils and sites.
2.3. Location
Bulgaria, Sofia and municipalities with polluted soils/sites.
2.4. Project Target Groups
1. Experts from central, regional and local structures of Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF), Ministry of Environment and Water (MEW) and other experts engaged with project for soil/site remediations;
2. Selected experts/stakeholders and land owners of polluted lands/sites;
3. Representatives of business organization dealing with soil remediation
Representatives of local NGO?s
2.5. Goal and expected impacts
The aims of the project is capacity building in central, regional and local structures of MAF, MEW, business organizations, local land owners and farmers, and other interested organizations and persons on implementation of bio/phytotechnologies for remediation of polluted soils/sites
2.6. Objectives and expected results
- To train experts and create capacity in the frame of Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Ministry of Environment and Waters, NGO?s, business organizations, farmers and others for implementation of bio/phytoremediation technologies in Bulgaria to clean up polluted by POPs and heavy metals soils and sites.
- To develop and issue a technical ?Guidance for bio/phytoremediation of polluted soils/sites?, available for use from experts, farmers and other interested persons. To increase public awareness to the in situ technologies for remediation of polluted soils/sites and extrapolate knowledge about implementation of environmentally sound practices for agriculture and plant protection.
- 2.7. Major activities
- Preparation of list of participants from MAF, MEW and other organizations in the 4 days ?training course on bio/phytoremediation;
- Organization of a one day meeting of national experts to discuss phytoremediation technologies;
- Development of a programme and agenda of 4 (or 5) days training course on bio/phytoremediation;
- Selection and invitation of lecturers;
- Compilation and edition of ?Guidance for bio/phytoremediation of polluted soils/site?
- Organization of 4 (or 5) days training course on bio/ phytoremediation of polluted by POPs pesticides and heavy metals soils and sites;
- Preparation of a plan and materials for regional seminars on bio/phytotechnologies;
- Organization of regional one days seminars (8) on bio/phytoremediation throughout affected regions;
- Publishing articles and other materials on bio/phytoremediation;
- Support for local land users/owners for preparation projects on bio/phytoremediation

2.8 Partnership with GEF SGP proposals/projects
Project 67: Development of alternative strategies for land use in respect to decrease the degradation of soil at health risk assessment around non-ferrous plant KCM-AD, Plovdiv
2.9. Sustainability
The project will build critical capacity within the key institutions ? MAF and MEW for the practical application of bio/ phytoremediation technologies. The involvement of so many experts from those institutions and the above-described feedback mechanisms will ensure their continuous work towards the practical application of the new technologies and distribution of information among a wide range of stakeholders. Furthermore, this is expected to stimulate the development of national policy and legislative regulation of the bio/ phytoremediation technologies.

2.10. Project Budget ? total, from GEF SGP, financial, in-kind - all in Bulgarian leva and percent of total
Total ? 69735 BGL = 100 %
Support from SGP - 43701 BGL = 62,67 %
Financial Contribution 23134 BGL = 33,17 %
In-kind Contribution 2900 = 4,16%