The biological diversity in Sofia region represents a large and still not sufficiently utilized resource for economic and educational activities. In order that to take place, detailed, knowledgeable and accessible information is necessary.
On the territory of the region, there are two reserves, two national parks, two natural parks, two sustained parks, 28 natural phenomena and 32 protected areas, which require special measures for preserving the biodiversity, as well as their presenting in a proper way. The lack of satisfactory knowledge and use of the natural resources, as well the slight interest to the issue by the young people, institutions and local communities, is a problem, which needs regional policy for preserving and sustainable use of the biological diversity, active participation in particular activities by administrative, civil structures and NGOs. In two of the municipalities in Sofia region, Kostinbrod and Dragoman, have been successfully completed projects for

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preserving and sustainable use of biological diversity by Balkani Wildlife Society and Bulgarian Biodiversity Foundation. They were financed also by the GEF SGP. The fact that such projects had been implemented in 2 of 22 municipalities of the region shows it is necessary to significantly stimulate related activities, as well as multiplication of the experience, achieved results and upgrade of the past projects.

The whole territory of Sofia region is to be covered by the project activities, and for better organisation we have divided it in 5 areas with regard to location of municipalities. Five pilot municipalities /project centers/ had been appointed, namely Slivnitza, Svoge, Pravetz, Kostenetz and Samokov municipalities. We plan to collect, analyze and summarize the information for the protected areas and biodiversity on the territory of Sofia region through parallel work by partners in the project, as well as local communities in the pilot municipalities. The formation of work groups with representatives of local administrations and business in the project centers to communicate with local NGOs, pupils, civil groups. We define nine protected natural parks, located near project centers, where particular
measures for protection of biodiversity ? Aldomirovo swamp (Slivnitza municipality), Lukatnishki skali in the Natural park ?Vrachanski Blakan? (Svoge), Preserved area (PA) ?Dreneto?, PA ?Urvitch?, Natural Phenomenon (NP) ?Kotlite? and a centuries old tree in the village of Skravena, PA ?Pleshtitza? and PA ?Traianova Krepost? (Kostenetz), Eko-path ?Beli Iskar? in Natural Park ?Rila? (Samokov). The project provides the preparation of information materials ? a biodiversity album for the territory of Sofia region, an informational brochure for the eco-paths in the region and leaflets for the project activities in the nine sub-areas. The materials will be published at the websites of the Regional administration and all municipalities.

Major focus of the project activities are also the information campaigns: seminars ? 5, 11 meetings, a happening organized with the support of the Regional Adminisrtration, as well as information in the printed media and municipality and regional administration websites. The database for the biodiversity and the opportunities for development of ecotourism on the territory of Sofia region will be the base for preparing recommendations for updating the Municipal strategies for tourism development and the Sofia Regional Strategy for development. We believe this will effect also local and regional policies and community development in the region.

In our view the project contribution for the strategic aims of SGP on global level for Phase 3 of GEF is as follows:
Strategic aim 1: Improving preserved areas sustainability through community actions on spot.
Strategic aim 2: Integration of preserving of biodiversity and sustainable use of manufacturing land shafts, water territories and sections through initiatives and communities actions;
Strategic aim 10: Improving and strengthening of civil society organizations capacity (especially community organizations) to participate in consulting processes, applying of knowledge for adequate information, to implement the conventions instructions and to supervise and evaluate the effects and tendencies on the environment.

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