Conservation of biodiversity from native breeds is global goal related to environmentally friendly management of natural resources, social well-being of local communities, cultural diversity and last but not least a variety of traditional flavors. Taste of food is an extremely important factor to stimulate consumption. As a result stimulate breeding of those animals which provides the necessary raw materials. Traditional foods of animal origin are closely related to breeding and selection of specific old native (indigenous) breeds. The current conservation of rare breeds agrobiodiversity only through subsidies is unstable approach.
Especially in period of continuing financial crisis. Linking the conservation of breeds with protected area management is an important step towards operational sustainability. The second necessary step will be the rediscovery and promotion of the breed as a necessary resource for the preservation of specific products and traditional crafts. In same time

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sustainable conservation of breeds is impossible without keeping the traditional taste of typical foods. Awareness of this relationship brings together the project partners to joint action. As a model will be developed the Rare Breeds Center - Semperviva. This is the only structure in Bulgaria included in the European network of Ark farms. Farms and herds of the Center are not privileged with regard to the cost of their maintenance. Animals are subsidized by the general scheme to support farming in Bulgaria. In this context, the construction of the manufacturing sector in order to optimize and maximize the revenue from the production of specific dairy products is vital for the survival of the Center and nucleus herds. It is noteworthy that the optimum yield of milk is achieved by products evolving their potential by long aging in specific conditions.
Products and services of the Centre will ensure the sustainability of conservational work in conditions and risks of the global economic crisis. Model allows for replication by farmers in other areas and with other rare breeds. The project shall endeavor to initiation of changes in agrobiodiversity conservation policies towards sustainability.

Location:
Main activities: Southwestern Bulgaria, Blagoevgrad district, Kresna municipality, Vlahi village, Natura 2000 protected areas:
BG0002003 "Kresna", BG0000209 "Pirin", BG0000366 "Kresna - Ilindentsi" National Park "Pirin"
Information and promotion campaign: nationally and abroad
Contribution to the niche of the GEF SGP in Bulgaria:
- In situ conservation of rare breeds in protected areas and zones
- Development of demonstration centers and / or farms with educational and promotional elements of sustainable agriculture, innovative methods for sustainable use of natural resources, etc.

Project Target Groups:
breeders of rare breeds, community groups interested in conservation of biodiversity, traditional crafts and local sustainable development; connoisseurs of quality and traditional food, visitors to the Rare Breeds Center - Semperviva, academic and educational community, local communities, a wide range of citizens journalists, media, administration

Goal and expected impacts:
Development of the capacity of the Rare Breeds Center ? Semperviva, through demonstration and implementation of a sustainable model for the joint protection of rare breeds and specific local traditional products.
Objectives and expected results:
1. Establishment of infrastructure at the Rare Breeds Center ? Semperviva for processing of raw materials from rare indigenous breeds in specific traditional products, and their aging, storage and supply ..
2. Presentation of produced by traditional technology and with quality raw milk products from rare breeds. Acquisition of, at least two marks/certificates of quality or conservation value.
3. Involving of other farmers in to project idea for joint conservation of rare local breeds and specific traditional products.
Changing of policies towards sustainability.

Major activities:
- Establishment of small dairy farm for preparation and aging of traditional dairy products from local rare breeds
- Promotion of products and services of the Rare Breeds Center - Semperviva
- Acquisition of marks and certificates for products and services
- Involving of other farmers in to project idea for joint conservation of rare local breeds and specific traditional products.
- Changing of policies towards sustainable conservation of rare native breeds.

Partnership with GEF SGP proposals/projects: no

Sustainability:
The society has already project funded by GEF-SGP (see Section 1.2.7). Successful work on targets continued till now - 3 years after completion. This project is an upgrade of the previous 11 years work for development of the Rare Breeds Center - Semperviva as sustainable conservation structure for preservation of rare domestic breeds. The small dairy farm established by present project will be used as permanent and necessary component of the Center. The Center will serve as a demonstration of sustainable conservation model, based on the relationship between rare breeds and traditional, specific products. In long-term is expected that the model will influence decision makers to change policies towards sustainable use and conservation of genetic resources.

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