WETLAND RESTORATION AND POLLUTION REDUCTION PROJECT
GEF TF 050706 BUL
_____________________________________________________________________
COMMUNICATION STRATEGY
April 2004
1
Table of Contents
Table of Contents ....................................................................................................................... 2
Abbreviations.............................................................................................................................. 4
Executive Summary ................................................................................................................... 5
1. Background Information....................................................................................................... 7
1.1 Project Description............................................................................................................. 7
1.2 Situation Description.......................................................................................................... 8
1.3 Strategy Development ........................................................................................................ 9
2. Strategy Objectives .............................................................................................................. 10
3. Situation Analysis................................................................................................................. 11
4. Target audiences and messages........................................................................................... 12
4.1 Local stakeholders........................................................................................................... 12
4.2 Decision Makers on National Level................................................................................. 15
4.3 The Local and National Public......................................................................................... 15
4.4 Donors ............................................................................................................................. 15
5. Strategic Approaches ........................................................................................................... 16
1. Publicity and Media Outreach........................................................................................ 16
2. Environmental Education............................................................................................... 17
3. Visitors services ............................................................................................................. 17
4. Training and Consulting of Local Partners .................................................................... 18
5. Project Promotion........................................................................................................... 18
6. Strategic Principles .............................................................................................................. 19
6.1 Proactive, not reactive actions........................................................................................ 19
6.2 Build teams involving project staff members and administrations staff members from the
protected areas........................................................................................................................ 19
6.3 Consistence between the messages promoting the successful implementation of the
project and the messages promoting the objectives of the protected areas management ...... 19
6.4 Partnership between PA and stakeholders at every step .................................................. 19
6.5 Coordination of all communication strategy actions with MoAF and MoEW ................ 20
6.6 On the job training for PA administrations and their partners in the process of
implementation of actions ...................................................................................................... 20
6.7 Clear definition of the audiences and objectives, and the distribution and promotional
plans for each publication or other product............................................................................ 20
6.8 Use of the small grant program as a mechanism for implementation of the
communication strategy ......................................................................................................... 20
6.9 Search for multiple sources of funding ............................................................................ 20
6.10 Involvement of already established organizations and institutions................................ 20
7. Action Plan............................................................................................................................ 21
7.1. Kalimok Brushlen Protected Area................................................................................ 22
7.2. Persina Natural Park........................................................................................................ 24
7.3. Project Promotion............................................................................................................ 30
8. Implementation of the Communication Strategy.............................................................. 31
Appendixes................................................................................................................................ 32
Appendix 1 ................................................................................................................................ 33
Checklist.................................................................................................................................... 33
Implementing the Communication Strategy Principles ....................................................... 33
Appendix 2 ................................................................................................................................ 35
Communication Strategy and Action Plan ............................................................................. 36
2
Appendix 3 ................................................................................................................................ 40
Project Progress Activities ..................................................................................................... 40
PERSINA NATURE PARK ACTIVITIES 2002-2003 ..................................................... 40
1. Educational programs and competitions ............................................................................ 40
2. Public awareness and public relations campaigns.............................................................. 41
3. Partnerships for the management of the protected area ..................................................... 42
4. Consulting in the area of agriculture ................................................................................. 43
KALIMOK-BRUHLEN PROTECTED AREA ACTIVITIES 2003................................ 44
1. Educational programs and competitions ............................................................................ 44
2. Public awareness and public relations campaigns.............................................................. 45
3. Partnerships for biodiversity conservation......................................................................... 46
4. Consulting in the area of eco-agriculture ........................................................................... 46
3
Abbreviations
ADM Administration
EU European Union
GEF Global Environmental Facility
IUCN International Union for Nature Conservation
KBPS Kalimok/ Brushlen Protected Sites
LC Local Coordinators
MoAF Ministry of Forestry and Agriculture
MoEd Ministry of Education
MoEW Ministry of Environment and Waters
NDP Nature Park Directorate
NGO Non-governmental Organization
NP Nature Park
PA Park Administration
PAL Protected Areas Law
PCU Project Coordination Unit
PMU Project Management Unit
REC Regional Environmental Center
REI Regional Environmental Inspection
RIE Regional Inspection of Education
TV Television
UK United Kingdom
UNDP United Nations Development Program
USAID United States Agency for International Development
WRPRP Wetlands Restoration and Pollution Reduction Project
WWF World Wild Fund
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Executive Summary
The Wetlands Restoration and Pollution Reduction Project of the Global Environmental
Facility/World Bank and the Ministry of Environment and Waters focuses on two protected
areas the wetlands of Persina Nature Park and the Kalimok/ Brushlen Protected Site. An
integral part of the project are actions related to public outreach, building of environmental
awareness on local and national level, and support for local business initiatives, predominantly
related to nature-friendly agriculture and ecotourism.
That creates the need for a project communication strategy, which will later serve as foundation
for the communication strategies of the two protected areas. The strategy is developed with the
active involvement of the administrations of both protected areas and their key partners local
authorities, educational, cultural and religious institutions, non-governmental organizations,
business, etc.
The key target audiences are also partners in the process of development and implementation of
the strategy. The messages to them are specific and vary accordingly to the specific interests of
each of the groups in each area.
The communication actions are divided in five groups according to the target audience and
messages, and appropriate approaches:
Public outreach and media relations
Environmental education on national, regional and local level
Visitor services
Training and consulting for local agriculture workers and entrepreneurs
Project promotion
There are ten strategic principles, which, if applied throughout the implementation of the
communication strategy, will secure that the set of objectives are successfully met:
· Proactive, not reactive actions
· Build teams involving project staff members and administrations staff members from
the protected areas.
· Consistence between the messages promoting the successful implementation of the
project and the messages promoting the objectives of the protected areas management
· Partnership between PA and the stakeholders at every step
· Coordination of all communication strategy actions with MoAF and MoEW
· On-site training for PA administrations and their partners in the process of
implementation of actions
· Clear definition of the audiences and objectives, and the distribution and promotional
plans for each publication or other product
· Use of the small-grant-program as a mechanism for implementation of the
communication strategy
· Search for multiple sources of funding
· Involvement of already established organizations and institutions.
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The two-year action plan is based on the outcomes of workshops carried out in both protected
areas with the participation of the administrations and their partners.
The appendices contain materials from the workshops, descriptions of the activities carried out
in both protected areas, and a checklist with indicators for application of the strategic
principles.
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1. Background Information
1.1 Project Description
The Wetlands Restoration and Pollution Reduction Project (WRPRP) is funded by the Global
Environmental Facility (GEF) and international donors, and is implemented by the Bulgarian
Ministry of Environment and Waters (MoEW). The key objective of WRPRP is to restore the
wetlands along the Bulgarian coast of the Danube river and to study the possibilities to use of
riparian wetlands as nutrient traps. Another objective of the project is to provide support for the
management of protected areas and sustainable use of natural resources.
The WRPR Project will attain its objectives by: (i) improving the coordination between
institutions on local, regional and national level, local communities and municipal authorities
on issues like land use policies and development planning; (ii) increasing public awareness on
the need to integrate environmental objectives in the process of socio-economic development;
and (iii) establishing a processes of full public involvement in the decision making process
related to the project, as well as to the sustainable management of the resources within the
project areas.
A project Coordination Unit (PCU) has been established at MoEW. PCU is based in Sofia, and
has two Local Coordinators (LC) at the project sites. PCU is responsible for the overall
management and coordination, financial management, placement of orders and reimbursements
within WRPRP. The local coordinators will work closely with the administrations of Persina
NP and Kalimok/Brushlen Protected Site (KBPS), and will be responsible for the local
coordination of WRPRP actions. They will report to the PCU.
Wetlands Restoration and Pollution Reduction project consists of three components:
Component 1: Wetland restoration
Component 2: Protected areas management
Component 3: Project coordination, management and monitoring
Component 2: Protected areas management supports the sustainable development and
preservation of resources at the two protected areas Persina Nature Park (22000 ha) and
Kalimok-Brushlen protected Area (6000 ha). The protected areas include different types of
land, including agricultural lands. This allows for their utilization for different economic
purposes. The pronunciation of the protected areas does not change the ownership of lands,
forests and water basins within the areas, but requires that the owners observe the adopted
regime of protection of habitats of endangered and rare animal species and communities. The
Protected Areas Law (PAL) requires that owners and users of forests, lands and water basins
within protected areas observe protected-area regimes described in PAL, in the pronunciation
order of the protected area, and in its management plan. This project component will start with
the development of the management plans for both territories, and will follow-up with support
for the implementation of the priority actions within the management plans. The wetland
restoration and protected areas management regimes integrate the needs of the local
communities and the biodiversity conservation needs in both project areas. It is expected that
the management plans of Persina NP and KBPS will support economic activities, which are in
harmony with the biodiversity conservation objectives, and will restrict economic activities
which contradict with them.
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1.2 Situation Description
The overall agenda of the socio-economic development of the country includes a focus on
nature conservation. The key political and economic priorities for Bulgaria are the
memberships in the European Union and NATO. Both memberships are directly tied with the
expectation that Bulgaria will preserve its nature and will contribute to the nature conservation
on regional (for Southeastern Europe) and international level. There are two European
directives in the area of nature conservation, with which Bulgaria has already harmonized its
legislation. Bulgaria has also signed and fulfills its responsibilities on seven international
conventions related to biodiversity conservation.
In 1994 Bulgaria was the first European country to develop a National Biodiversity
Conservation Strategy. The process of implementation of this strategy lead to a very successful
development of the network of protected areas, adoption of contemporary protected areas
management techniques, and implementation of a variety of sustainable development projects.
The country has developed specialized legislation, including a Protected Areas Law. All this
has lead to a significant enhancement of the image of the country. What makes all these
successes especially notorious is that they were achieved within less than ten years.
Bulgarian protected areas network covers almost 5% of the country's territory. The three
national parks and most nature parks have Management plans, which are implemented using
the already accumulated experience in the area.
The country has experience also in the area of public outreach, environmental education,
raising environmental awareness among authorities and the general public. It would be correct
to state that there are already traditions in that aspect, and that there is a professional capacity
on national level, and specifically in some protected areas the national parks in particular.
What the country currently lacks, is an overall strategy, uniting the efforts of the many
governmental, local, non-governmental and business organizations, and increasing the
effectiveness of their efforts through better coordination.
Under these circumstances, the development of a communication strategy for two protected
areas Nature Park Persina and Kalimok/Brushlen Protected Site as part of the project
supported by the Ministry of Environment and Waters, and the World Bank, is a relatively
favorable task.
At the current stage of the project there is a need for development of the strategy, in order to
use it in further project actions and components.
It is important to take into account an important factor, which will create the need to update the
current strategy and action plan within the next two years. This is why the Action Plan covers a
two-year period 2004 and 2005. This factor is the delay of the start of the PHARE Project for
development of the management plans of the two protected areas. The communication strategy
and the action plan will need to be updated at least at two points in the next two three years.
The first update will be of key importance and will be made with the very start of the PHARE
Project (Fall, 2004). The update will accompany the project working plan development in order
to harmonize the public relations with the actions within the project, and specifically with the
management plans development. There will be a need to update the strategy and the action plan
for a second time when the management plans are ready and approved by the Council of
Ministers, so that from being Project documents, they become documents of the protected
areas.
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1.3 Strategy Development
This strategy has been developed through a participatory process involving all stakeholders.
The first step was the approval of the Terms of Reference, and development of an outline of the
document with the participation of the international project consultant Emmanuela Montanari.
A series of expert meetings were hosted by the Project in Sofia. The meetings involved the
project team and representatives of the administrations of the two protected areas.
As a second step, the international consultant visited both protected areas, and gathered
information on the available experience in public awareness activities, and the general vision
for future actions.
The third step involved two workshops for the two protected areas involving the
administrations and their partners. (Appendix 2 Agenda and participants lists for both
workshops)
The Strategy and the Action Plan are developed based on the information gathered during the
three steps. They take into account the philosophy and plans of three key partners in the
process Ministry of Environment and Waters represented by the Project Coordination Unit,
and the local coordinators, the protected areas administrations, and their partners in the
protected areas.
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2. Strategy Objectives
This strategy is developed to simultaneously serve the purposes of the Project, within which it
is being developed and will be implemented, as well as the purposes of both protected areas. In
other words, it is developed to serve as foundation in the planning of specific project actions in
the area of public outreach, but will also serve as a first draft of the five-year Communication
Strategy of each of the two protected areas. The specific objectives could be divided in two
groups:
1. This Strategy aims at structuring and systematizing the visions of all stakeholders on
the public outreach activities, that are needed to support the achieving of the Project
objectives, and to support the preparation of Nature Park Persina and Kalimok/Brushlen
Protected Site for the development of their Management plan and the carrying out of
their functions as provided by the Protected Areas Law and the pronunciation orders.
The Strategy has several specific objectives:
- Put the specific actions into a broader context the context of the entire network of
protected areas in the country, the process and trends of development in the area of
nature protection in Bulgaria and on international level. This requires coordination
with other protected areas in the country.
- All actions need to be well coordinated and should be consistent with the interests of
all stakeholders. Coordination of actions will lead to higher effectiveness of the use
of the project resources and higher effectiveness of the communication strategy
products.
- The key efforts should be directed at gaining support for the Project activities and
the activities of the protected areas in future. This support could be gained by
developing a key message for the potential benefits that the sustainable development
of these natural areas could produce for the local communities.
The preliminary phase of the Project has included many steps on informing the local and
national public about the Project objectives and the expected outcomes. The local stakeholders
have been regularly informed and involved in discussions of possible Project activities. The
Project action plan itself is consistent with the expectations and attitudes of the local
population.
Since its start in May 2002 the Project has made many steps towards informing and involving
the local public. This Strategy will build on the outcomes of these steps, and will further
strengthen their efficiency in the future stages of the Project. (Appendix 3 contains description
of these activities)
2. The second group of objectives relates to the capacity building of the protected areas
administrations and their partners, which will enable them to successfully manage and
implement the Strategy and the action plan. The strategy identifies the need to build
such capacity and considers that as an integral element of its implementation. This
objective will be integrated in the principles of development and implementation of the
Strategy itself.
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3. Situation Analysis
Based on the available information about the functioning of the two protected areas, and the
achievements of the Project, it is possible to draw some analytical conclusions on the
circumstances in which the strategy will be developed and implemented.
The Strengths of the two protected areas could be described as follows:
- Existence of administrations and staff members for both protected areas
- General awareness on the objectives of the protected areas among the key partners
- Identified local partners, which will be involved in the future implementation of the
communication strategy
- Relative experience of both administrations in the area of public relations.
The Weaknesses:
- Limited number of administration staff
- Limited experience in implementing a public relations strategy among the
administrations, as well as among the partners
- Limited resources of the administrations for the implementation of such strategy
The Opportunities offered by the external environment, which could facilitate the Strategy
implementation and which should be used:
- Existence of a network of protected areas
- Available experience in the area of communications for environment protection
among the institutions, which are directly involved
- Overall support for nature conservation
- Variety of sources of funding for communication activities
- The Project, and the two protected areas belong to an European network of projects
and protected areas supported by the World Bank. This network is a source of
experience and knowledge, and of opportunities for exchange of experience and
other resources
- Availability of relatively successful mechanisms for coordination among
international donors and participation of the two protected areas, for example with
the National Strategy and Action Plan for Ecotourism Development
The Threats in the external environment, which need to be taken into account, and limited as
much as possible:
- Potential possibility of overall decrease of the socio-economic stability in the country.
- Delay in the development of the management plans.
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4. Target audiences and messages
The main focus of the Strategy are the two protected areas along the Bulgarian coast of Danube
river Nature Park Persina and Kalimok/Brushlen Protected Site.
4.1 Local stakeholders
The most important characteristic of this group of local people and institutions is the direct
impact that the local Project actions and the management of protected areas will have on them.
This group includes all stakeholders identified at the preliminary phase, and at the start of the
Project.
They could be described by several distinct characteristics, which will influence the used by the
communication strategy approaches and the type and level of their involvement:
- Differences in the interests and level of dependence on the protected areas.
The interests of land owners, for example, are directly related to the economic benefits, which
could increase or decrease as a result of the Project actions. The interests of educational
institutions are related to the opportunities to use the protected areas for educational purposes
and for enrichment of the educational materials. The interests of local authorities are related to
securing socio-economic development, investment attraction, donor involvement, etc.
- These groups have different level of awareness, readiness and competence to be
partners of the administrations of the protected areas and the Project in the
communication strategy implementation.
Some of them are not aware of these opportunities and do not understand the benefits that such
a partnership could bring. They do not have any experience in partnership and are not aware of
the existence of other similar projects. Others have some experience, but it is not systematized.
- The messages to each of them are different.
Local Authorities
- Regional Governor's Administrations Pleven, Rousse, Veliko Turnovo and Silistra.
- Municipalities Tutrakan and Slivo pole.
- Municipalities Svishtov, Belene and Nikopol.
- Association of Danube Municipalities.
- Association of Bulgarian Municipalities ,,Danube-South"
Messages:
- The involved in the project municipalities belong to the local Danube and Black Sea
communities, which are all responsible for protecting their common home;
- Similar projects are being implemented along the entire Danube basin; they have
produced many success stories;
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- The support and integration of the Project objectives in the local plans could
contribute to the solution of socio-economic problems of the municipalities;
- The involvement of local authorities will contribute to the long-term sustainability
of the project outcomes;
- Local authorities are an important channel for information and communication with
the local public.
Local and regional professional and consumer associations, as well as individual
consumers
- Regional Forestry Services in Tutrakan and Rousse
- Regional Forestry Services in Svishtov and Nikopol
- Regional Fishing Control Directorate, Tutrakan
- State Game Breeding Station "Danube" Rousse
- Belene Prison Directorate
- Regional Advisory Service on Agricultural Issues, Pleven
- Owners of land within the protected areas
- Associations of agricultural farmers
- Draining systems and Associations of water users
- Hunting and Fishing Associations
- Local small enterprises: tourism, local fishing associations, etc.
- Industrial entrepreneurs
- Civil organizations local environmental, social, educational and other NGO's.
Messages:
- Project actions will create significant support for owners and users, who are affected
by the flooding; for current/potential users of related with protected areas products
and services, and for potential participants in sustainable economic development
activities.
- Wetlands fulfill vital ecological functions. If reasonably managed wetlands could
provide opportunities for local development.
- The involved in the project municipalities belong to the local Danube and Black Sea
communities, which are all responsible for protecting their common home;
- Similar projects are being implemented along the entire Danube basin; they have
produced many success stories;
- Local benefits from wetlands include: biodiversity conservation, water purification,
protection from overflows;
- The project aims at generating opportunities for alternative income for local
communities. Project actions including the development of management plans and
defining and enforcement of regimes and norms will lead to sustainable and
effective use of wetlands resources like fish, biomass, herbs, game;
- Project actions will lead to attraction of nature-friendly tourists.
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- Wetlands restoration will be carried out within the set by the stakeholders frames:
conditions and compensations will be discussed and coordinated with affected
stakeholders.
- The Project aims at attracting additional donor investments and working in synergy
with other programs for local sustainable development. There is a need for special
knowledge and skills for the attraction and use of existing sources for project
funding project and business-plan development skills.
Educational, cultural and religious institutions:
· Schools
· Other educational institutions
· Community centers (chitalishte)
· Museum of Fishing in Tutrakan
· Religious communities and institutions
Messages:
· Protected areas are an endless source of knowledge for the specific region.
· Knowledge and information about nature, and cultural and historical heritage could give
new nature to the role of educational, cultural and religious institutions.
· These institutions are a key partner in environmental activities, because of their
professional and public image, and capacity in the area of education and public
awareness and attitude formation.
Media
· Local media
· National media
· International media
Message:
- The media is one of the key partners for the communication strategy
- The involved in the project municipalities belong to the local Danube and Black Sea
communities, which are all responsible for protecting their common home;
- Similar projects are being implemented along the entire Danube basin; they have
produced many success stories;
Potential partners in Romania
· Association of Romanian Municipalities ,,Danube-South"
· Romanian Institute for the Danube Delta
· ANTREC, National Agency for Rural, Cultural and Eco-Tourism1
· Similar projects in Romania
Messages:
Joined actions and trans-border cooperation for the maximum increase of the efficiency of
project outcomes.
1 This is a national level tourism platform in Romania. Their website is at http://www.antrec.ro
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4.2 Decision Makers on National Level
· Ministry of Environment and Waters
·
Regional Inspectorate of Environment and Waters, Rousse
·
Regional Inspectorate of Environment and Waters, Veliko Turnovo
·
Regional Inspectorate of Environment and Waters, Pleven
·
Ministry of Agriculture and Forests (National Forestry Management)
·
Regional Forestry and Land Services in Pleven, Silistra and Rousse
·
Regional Advisory Service on Agricultural Issues in Pleven, Silistra and Rousse
·
Regional Forestry and Land Services in Tutrakan, Slivo pole; Belene, Nikopol,
Svishtov
·
National Forestry Management
·
Regional Forestry Management, Lovech Ministry of Regional Development and Public
Works
·
Ministry of Justice
·
Ministry of Economy
·
Ministry of Labor
·
Executive Agency of Environment and Sustainable Development
·
Agency of Fishery and Aqua-cultures
4.3 The Local and National Public
Message:
The two protected areas belong to an entire system and to the general policy adopted by the
country and throughout Europe. It is a matter of our choice to adopt these values.
4.4 Donors
EU, GEF, The World Bank, UNDP, USAID, British Know-How Fund, National programs
(Netherlands, Dutch, Japan, Switzerland).
Messages:
· The Project will help Bulgaria meet its international obligations and requirements for
EU membership.
· The Project objectives will bring global environmental benefits.
· The Project is important in the context of Black Sea restoration.
· The Project is a model for high productivity, including the immediate reproduction
within the Danube river basin.
· Co-funding of actions is of key importance for the success of the Project.
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5. Strategic Approaches
The Strategy objectives could be achieved through several strategic approaches, which could
be operationalized through corresponding activities. They are in conformity with the relevant
target audiences and the nature of the messages to these target audiences. The specific activities
are provided for in the corresponding action plans and annual working plans.
The overall objective of the Project Communication Strategy is to contribute to the successful
implementation of the Project objectives, and their follow-up activities in the future. Therefore,
it is important that even though the Action plans will include a wide range of activities, the
World Bank funded Project supports and funds those of them, which are directly related to the
achievement of the concrete goals. The Wetlands Restoration and Pollution Reduction Project
will sponsor the communication activities that support its three components wetlands
restoration, aspects of the protected areas management, which contribute to the economic
growth in the region, and the management of the Project itself. The rest of the activities need to
be funded through other sources.
1. Publicity and Media Outreach
This approach ensures broad public awareness on the existence of protected areas, the key
values of nature protection, the forms of protection within protected areas, and the benefits,
which they produce for the local communities.
It builds public attitudes and support for nature protection actions. It also ensures transparency
of decision making and thus protects the interests of local communities and other stakeholders
interested in nature conservation.
The specific methods applied provide general awareness on the objectives of law enforcement
inform the public on the legal provisions concerning use of protected areas and their
resources. They inform the public about initiatives and events contributing to the successful
enforcement of nature protection regimes.
This is a form of environmental education of social groups on local and national level
increase of conservation awareness.
The most popular actions that the use of this approach includes are:
· Developing corporative identify for the protected areas logos, slogans, etc.
· Building partnerships with local media
· Issuing electronic/ paper newsletter
· Organizing visits to protected areas for journalists
· Regular press releases and meetings with journalists
· Establishment of video-libraries
· Publishing information materials on specific Project-related issues and on protected
areas
· Awareness campaigns for decision makers local, regional, national presentations,
and field trips
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2. Environmental Education
Environmental education is one of the most powerful strategic approaches for public outreach
in the area of nature conservation. It helps form sustainable attitudes and knowledge, and
impact life strategies of young people. That is why intertwining knowledge about and
experiencing of protected areas in the immediate living environment of children and young
people through education is of strategic importance for the future of sustainable natural
resources use around the two protected areas.
The country has enough experience in the use of interactive education methods for
environmental education in all spheres and at all educational levels. There are many well
prepared professionals in the area. It is just a matter of good understanding and partnership that
these methods are efficiently applied at the two protected areas.
Their application includes the following elements:
· Establishing partnerships with the local schools and regional inspectorates
· Developing specific environmental elements of the school curricula
· Establishing partnerships with museums, community centers, religious institutions and
organizations, etc.
· Publishing materials on environmental education.
3. Visitors services
One of the main objectives of the pronunciation of the protected areas is to manage them in a
way that creates opportunities for development of tourism in the region. This would allow
visitors to experience nature, while securing a sustainable source of income for the local
people.
Along with the development of tourist services within the surrounding settlements mainly
initiated by local entrepreneurs, the administrations of the protected areas should provide
services to visitors on their territory. Such services include marking of the areas, providing of
on-site or disseminated in the settlements information, interpretation of the value of wild nature
and the methods for its conservation, providing conditions for a friendly for the ecosystems
experience.
The overall style and quality of the visitor infrastructure is of key importance for the building
of positive attitude and support towards protected areas among local people, as well as among
visitors. These include administrative markings PA borders, and utilization regimes, as well
as information and interpretation tools, and recreation facilities benches, camping sites, etc.
The highest the style and quality of the infrastructure the more respect it builds among local
residents and visitors. The experience from other protected areas reveals that the installation of
a well planned and developed with common style infrastructure, suddenly puts end to
destructive actions. Another important condition for the protection of the infrastructure is the
involvement of local craftsmen in its development and installation.
Examples for such activities could include:
· Development of an overall unique design of the visitor infrastructure within the protected
areas
17
· Development and placement of visitor infrastructure
· Development and publication of visitors guides for the protected areas
· Development of interpretation programs
4. Training and Consulting of Local Partners
In order to execute these steps and actions related to nature protection and creation of
sustainable income for the local population, the administrations have to use their partnerships
to secure opportunities to consult local entrepreneurs on main business issues
entrepreneurship, business planning, marketing, etc. There are several consulting mechanisms
that could be used training, bulletins, regular and occasional consulting services, contacts
with other initiatives in the country and abroad for exchange of experience, etc.
The topics are:
· Ecotourism
· Alternative agricultural practices
· Project and business plan development
5. Project Promotion
The success of the project activities themselves is largely dependant on the public support in
both sites, as well as on the support of public institutions at all levels, and the donor community
in the country. It is important to promote the project and its outcomes on international level
along the Danube river basin, and within the World Bank group.
The Project Communication Plan has three main objectives:
- Ensure transparency and public accountability of the project management;
- Attract support for the achievement of the project goals;
- Attract the interest of other donors to invest in the region.
The main activity groups that need to be included in the action plan are:
· Publishing and public presentation of an annual report and the results of the project
evaluation and monitoring system;
· Short project brochure
· Project identity logo, stationary
· Media relations through MoEW
· Web site
· Participation in international forums and active international contacts with projects and
other protected areas along the Danube and Black Sea basins, as well as with different
international organizations WWF, IUCN, etc.
· Publicity and education accompanying small grant competitions
· Regular presentations of project successes for donors and decision makers including
through organized visits to the project sites.
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6. Strategic Principles
6.1 Proactive, not reactive actions
The first principle of the communication strategy is to plan actions in a proactive instead of
reactive manner. We are aware of the interests and the objectives, of who are the partners and
what are the expected results. Messages should be disseminated at the times when they will
serve as preparation for the success of management decisions. The success of the
communication strategy may be put at risk if messages are disseminated as reactions instead of
as initiatives of the protected areas and the Project. It is important to not wait for other
institutions or stakeholders to create attitudes and knowledge among partners and the public, to
which then to react or oppose. Instead, the first to take the initiative to define the issues and
events will be the more successful player.
6.2 Build teams involving project staff members and administrations staff
members from the protected areas.
Many of the Strategy activities will be carried out mainly by the partners of the protected areas,
but their coordination, management and leadership should be a shared responsibility of the
protected areas and the Project Management Unit. That is why it is important that decisions are
made by a team involving at least two representatives of the protected area, the local
coordinator and possibly a representative of the PMU.
6.3 Consistence between the messages promoting the successful
implementation of the project and the messages promoting the objectives of the
protected areas management
All messages in all publications and events should be consistent with the Project objectives.
This means that all publications should include facts and information about the Project.
6.4 Partnership between PA and stakeholders at every step
Most of the activities will be carried out by PA partners. The benefit of that will be generation
of the support of partners for the potential possibility to transform these activities into
profitable economical activities (which the administrations cannot execute), and that the
resources of the administrations could be used for other activities coordination, development
and implementation of policy, enforcement functions.
Another aspect of using partnership as a key principle of the communication strategy is
involving partners in the management of protected area itself. This means involving and shared
responsibility for activities like monitoring of ecosystems, development and maintenance of
infrastructure, studying of ecosystems, etc. As vital the partnership itself is, its promotion is
also of key importance.
19
6.5 Coordination of all communication strategy actions with MoAF and MoEW
The actions in the Strategy should be approved by and coordinated with the Ministry of
Environment and Water as the "owner" of the Project and the Ministry of Agriculture and
Forests as the responsible for the protected areas institution. This coordination will increase the
efficiency of the use of the resources, as well as the effective integration of all messages related
to the policies of both institutions.
6.6 On the job training for PA administrations and their partners in the process
of implementation of actions
It is important to plan for the involvement of trainers/consultants who will participate as direct
executors of the activities, and will thus increase the local capacity in the process. It is
important to plan different forms of exchange of experience with other protected areas.
6.7 Clear definition of the audiences and objectives, and the distribution and
promotional plans for each publication or other product
This principle ensures more targeted planning and design of concrete actions. This
dissemination planning process practically serves as a "checklist" for the type, contents and
design of the publication or event.
6.8 Use of the small grant program as a mechanism for implementation of the
communication strategy
A good mechanism for attraction of partners will be the small grants scheme. It is necessary to
plan participation of representatives of the administrations and involvement of consultants for
the execution of the projects. This could be included as a condition in the competition or could
be planned as a parallel activity of the PMU. It is important to apply the described in item 6.4.
principle for at least the first two years of execution of the small grants.
6.9 Search for multiple sources of funding
Many of the described in the communication strategy actions are of benefit to other donors as
well. Moreover, there are constant funding sources for such projects (For example: The
Enterprise for Management of Environmental Activities, REC, etc.). Activities should plan for
co-funding from multiple sources, including local resources, at the planning stage.
6.10 Involvement of already established organizations and institutions
The involvement of already established organizations and institutions could increase the social
effectiveness of the planned activities. Investing in the development of new organizations and
institutions should be done only under exclusive circumstances. It is more effective and
socially responsible to plan and invest efforts in the development, alteration or improvement of
already existing organizations, than to create new ones.
20
7. Action Plan
Action plans reflecting the main approaches and principles of the strategy were developed
based on the workshops involving the administrations of protected areas and their partners.
They are the basis for development of the annual plans for the Project and the protected areas.
They could be useful also in the small grant program competitions.
The ten strategic principles are applied in the planning and execution of activities (Checklist in
Appendix 1).
21
7.1. Kalimok Brushlen Protected Area
Public and Media Outreach
Action Expected
outcome
Institutions/
Partners
Timing
Budget in BGL Indicators
Presentation to the media Informed at least 20 media KBPS NGO,
May 2004
250 Number of publications
municipalities
Training of journalists
Improved competence
KBPS NGO,
September 2004
1 000 Number and quality of
among journalists
municipalities, REI
publications, film,
reports
Visits to PA for
Improved competence
KBPS NGO,
1 000 Number of publications
journalists
among journalists
Publications of popular
Public awareness
KBPS NGO, NGO
Regularly
2 000 Number of publication,
materials
public attitude towards
PA
Regular press releases
Public awareness
KBPS NGO,
Regularly
Number of publications
Production of souvenirs
Public awareness and
KBPS NGO, other
Regularly
2 000 Number of materials
carrying the KBPS logo
positive public attitudes
partners
Publication of a leaflet
Public awareness and
KBPS NGO, other
July 2004
1 000 Number of materials
"The richness of Danube positive attitude
partners
wetlands"
Monthly bulletin
Public awareness and
KBPS NGO
2004 - 2005
2 000 Numbers of bulletin,
positive attitude
public awareness
Brochure "KBPS's
Public awareness and
KBPS NGO, other
July 2004
1 000 Number of materials
Birds"
positive attitude
partners
KBPS Website
Public awareness and
KBPS NGO
2004 - 2005
1 000 Number of website
positive attitude
visits
Celebration of important
Public awareness and
KBPS NGO, other
2004 - 2005
10 000 Events and number of
dates in the
positive attitude
partners
participants
environmental calendar
Presentation of the park
Public awareness and
KBPS NGO
April September
500 Number of
22
for municipalities and the promotion, generating
2004 presentations
public
support of local
communities
Environmental education
Action Expected
outcome
Institutions/
Partners
Timing
Budget in BGL Indicators
Presentations to schools
Introduction of project to
KBPS NGO, media,
October 2004 300 Number
of
motivated
and students
150 teachers
trainees
Integration of the
100 trained teachers, 3000
Teachers, schools
2004 2005
8 000 3000 trained students
information for KBPA in
students
tested with quizzes and
school curricula
questionnaires
Publications, information
Circulation of 2000 of each Experts, municipalities
2005 2006
8 000 Number of
and educational materials
material
KBPS NGO, teachers,
publications, pictures,
RIEd at MES
number of educational
materials
School visitors center
Informed students and
KBPS NGO teachers,
2004 2005
2 000 Number of visitors to
teachers
municipalities
the center
entrepreneurs
Green schools
Informed students and
Same plus NGO
Regularly
2 000 Number of visitors
teachers
Visitors Services
Action Expected
outcome
Institutions/
Partners
Timing
Budget in BGL Indicators
Info-stands
Increase awareness of local KBPS NGO, other
2004 - 2005
1 000 Number of stands
public and visitors
NGOs, municipalities
Visitor information
Increase awareness of local KBPS NGO, other
November 2004
10 000 Number of visitors
centers ate community
public and visitors
NGOs, municipalities
2005
centers/ municipalities
Training of PA guides
Trained guides, creation of KBPS NGO, other
February
5 000 Number of trained
23
jobs
NGOs,
municipalities
November
2005
guides
Planning and development Biodiversity conservation
REI, Forestry
2004 - 2005
50 000 Registered violations,
of administrative and
and creation of
Management,
number of eco-trails,
visitors infrastructure
opportunities for
Municipalities,
signs, recreation sites
ecotourism
Business
Consulting of Entrepreneurs
Action Expected
outcome
Institutions/
Partners
Timing
Budget in BGL Indicators
Marketing of products and Developed products and
Administration KBPS
2004 - 2005
10 000 Number of products, 1
trade mark
marketing structure
NGO, tourist agencies,
trade mark
local authorities
Information centers and
Building a data base,
Administration of KBPS
2005
5 000 Number of centers and
education
trained guides
NGO, municipalities
trained guides
mayors, community
centers, museums, NGOs
Establishing a consulting
Development of a
NGOs, municipalities
2005
20 000 2 centers, facilities,
info-center
consulting services
Advisory Services on
package of services,
package
Agricultural Issues
number of trainees,
services, consultations,
attracted resources,
newly established
business, created and
preserved jobs
7.2. Persina Natural Park
Public and Media Outreach
24
Action
Expected outcome
Institutions/ Partners
Timing
Budget in BGL Indicators
Educational series on
Dissemination of more
Media - leaders
Ongoing
1 000 Increased number of
Persina NP on different
information. People will
Persina NPD
viewers and readers;
carriers for different
learn to protect what they
WRPR Project
Change of attitude
media types.
have; to be proud that they
live in Persina NP
Survey "What do you
Increased interest in the
Media - leaders
200 Gradual sophistication
know and what would
project and Persina NP
Persina NPD
November 2004
of questions
you like to learn about
WRPR Project,
and May 2005
"Persina"NP
Local residents
Media training
Media competence and
Media - leaders
September 2004
1 000 Increased media
adequate presentation of
Persina NPD
interest;
facts, issues, etc.
WRPR Project
Number of viewers and
readers;
Free publications
"With a camera at the
Changed attitude towards
Media - leaders
4 times/year with
800 Increased interest and
park"
nature
Persina NPD
different age groups
readiness for
WRPR Project
participation
Monthly press releases
Transparency of actions of Media - leaders
Each month
Increased number of
the Directorate and the
Persina NPD
viewers and readers.
Project, public
WRPR Project
Protection of
involvement.
infrastructure -signs,
recreation sites, etc.
Information bulletin
Transparency of actions of Persina NPD
Each month
1 200 Increased number of
including events calendar the Directorate and the
viewers and readers.
Project, public
Protection of
involvement.
infrastructure -signs,
recreation sites, etc.
Brochure about Persina
Public awareness and
Persina NPD
May 2004
5 000 Number of
Nature Park
positive attitude
presentations and
distributed brochures
Brochure about the
Public awareness and
Persina NPD
June 2004
5 000 Number of
25
Danube archipelago
positive attitude
presentations and
Belene
distributed brochures
Production of souvenirs
Park promotion
Persina NPD
June December
10 000 Numbers of produced
carrying the park logo
2004
and distributed
hats, T-shirts, pens,
souvenirs
calendars, etc.
Development of a park
Public awareness and
Persina
NPD
June December
2 000 Number of website
website
promotion
2004
visits
Celebration of important
Generating the support of
Persina NPD, partners
2004 - 2005
15 000 Number of participants
dates in the
local communities
NGO, schools,
in celebrations
environmental calendar
companies
Presentations of the park Public awareness and
Persina NPD
April September
500 Number of
for municipalities and the promotion, Generating the
2004
presentations
public
support of local
communities
Environmental Educations
Action
Expected outcome
Institutions/ Partners
Timing
Budget in BGL Indicators
Training:
-Trained teachers and
- Persina NPD
Regular
16 000 -number of trainees.
- for students
published materials for
-WRPR Project
qualification
Forms;
- for teachers
teachers
-Schools, kinder-gardens, activities
-number of applicants
- Building responsible
community centers
All others- ongoing
-survey for attitude
behavior towards nature
-Department for teacher
2004 2006
change.
-Improve qualification and Qualification
product
-Youth structures
-Teambuilding skills
-NGO
development
Application/production
-Increased qualification
- Persina NPD
2004 for the
1 000 -Sticker with the logo
activities
and developed product
-WRPR Project
development of
on regional and
-Team-building skills
-Schools, kinder-
sticker/poster
national level, which
26
gardens,community
demonstrates that
centers
people are joining the
-NGO
objectives of the Park
and the Project.
-Number of
participants
Regional competition in
- Increased interest
- Persina NPD
Twice/ year
1 000 - Number of
sport orientation
- Involvement of young
-WRPR Project
participants
people
-Youth info-centers,
-Number of applicants;
scout organizations,
-Increased interest in
the project on national
level;
Research competition
Changed attitude towards
Media
Once/ year
1 000 -Increased interest
"What do you know
nature
Persina NPD
-Number of
about Persina"
WRPR Project
participants
-Schools, kinder
gardens,community
centers
-NGO
"Green designing" the
-Involvement of young
Media
Preservation of logos
logo of the park
people
Persina NPD
2004 or 2005
/without destruction
WRPR Project
-Schools, kinder
gardens,community
centers
27
Visitor Services and Consulting of Entrepreneurs
Action
Expected outcome
Institutions/ Partners
Timing
Budget in BGL Indicators
Training in product
-New knowledge and skills -NGO
3 000 -Number of trainees
development
-ADM
September 2004
-Number of projects
-Labor Bureaus
April 2005
applied
Municipality
-Number of approved
-Training centers
projects
Information center
Directing local population
- Persina NPD
10 000 -New activities
towards alternative
-WRPR Project
2004 2005
-Number of registered
income agriculture and
-Donors
agricultural producers
ecotourism
-NGO
-Municipalities
Hospitality training for
-Knowledge and skills
-Municipalities
8 000 -Number of trainees
the public and the local
-Labor bureaus
2005
business
-Tourism school in
Pleven
Exchange of experience
-Knowledge
- Persina NPD
3 000 -New activities
with other parks-on-site
-Use of experience
-Parks and PA
October 2004
-Number of
visits
-NGO
May 2005
participants
Tourism promotional
-Enhancement of the image - Persina NPD
10 000 -Number of visits
materials
of the area
-The Project
2004 2005
-Number of tourists
(brochures, guides, maps) -Increased interest among
-NGO
-Generated profit
on nature, cultural and
tour-operators
Community centers
-Number of published
historical heritage.
-Attraction of tourists
Experts on local culture
materials
-Preservation of cultural
and history
-Circulation
and historical heritage
-ADM
-Opportunities for
development of religious
tourism-celebrations
28
Publication of materials
Securing safety of visitors
Persina NPD
2004 - 2005
2 000
Safety of visitors
on visitors' safety
Ornithological park trail
Diversification of the
Persina NPD, partners
2004 2005
5 000
Developed trail and
design, description,
tourist product
number of visitors
brochure, training of
guides
Tourist trail "Photo-
Diversification of the
Persina NPD, partners
2004 2005
5 000
Developed trail and
safari"
tourist product
number of visitors
Visitor infrastructure:
-Opportunities for
- Persina NPD
2 000
camping sites, fishing
alternative forms of
-The Project
2004 2005
-Number of created
sites, etc.
tourism
-NGO
sites
FM, HFA
-Number of visitors
Organized visits for tour
-Tourism development
Tourism companies
5 000 -Sold packages and
operators
2004 2005
services
Initiatives for amendment -Alternative income
Municipal councils
April 2005
5 000 -Amended regulations
of regulations in order to -Better business
-better coordination
alleviate business in the
-Clean environment
among the three
area of eco-tourism and
municipalities
sustainable use of natural
-Termination of
resources
unregulated pollution
European and world
-Better business
-Municipalities
2004 - 2005
50 000 -Appropriate
norms in natural
-Clean environment
-NGO
management of
resources management
resources
and environment
protection
Registration of trade
-Better business
Persina NPD
3 000 -Generated profit
mark
2004 2005
-Increased market
Persina NP
demand
29
7.3. Project Promotion
Action
Expected outcome
Institutions/ Partners
Timing
Budget in BGL Indicators
Publication and public
Transparency and publicity PMU
2004 and 2005
3 000 Number of attendees at
presentation of annual
presentation
report
Publication of a
Stakeholder awareness
PMU
July 2004
3 000 Publication and
brochure about the
distribution
project
Production of stationary Project identity and support PMU
July 2004
2 000 Produced souvenirs
carrying the project logo
Website
Stakeholder awareness
PMU
May 2004
1 000 Number of visits of
website
Regular briefings and
Public awareness
PMU and MOEW
2004 - 2005
Number of publications
press releases
Participation in
International contacts
PMU
2004 - 2005
Number of
international meetings,
participations
etc.
Training of potential
Transparency and capacity PMU and both PA
2004 - 2005
5 000 Number of trainees and
participants in the small
building of partners
successful projects
grant competitions and
publication of results
30
8. Implementation of the Communication Strategy
The implementation of the Communication strategy is coordinated and managed by the
Project Coordination Unit in partnership with the administrations of the two protected areas.
Based on the Communication strategy the Project annual plans include actions from the
Action plan.
Every year as part of the annual review of the project progress the implementation progress of
the Communication strategy will be reviewed. That requires the inclusion of assessment
indicators for this Strategy in the assessment indicator system developed for the Project.
The main responsibility for the implementation of the Communication strategy is shared by
the Project Manager at the Project Management Unit and the local coordinators at the two
protected sites.
The Strategy will be updated and annual Action plans will be developed based on the annual
progress reviews.
31
Appendixes
32
Appendix 1
Checklist
Implementing the Communication Strategy Principles
Principle Application
Indicator
1. Proactive, not reactive actions
Are we sure that we are the pioneers in
introducing issues to the public
2. Build teams involving project staff
Concrete people are assigned
members and administrations staff
responsibilities on the coordination and
members from the protected areas.
execution of concrete actions
3. Consistence between the messages
Actions include messages about PA
promoting the successful
management and the Project objectives
implementation of the project and the
messages promoting the objectives of
the protected areas management
4. Partnership between PA and the
The direct execution of activities and
stakeholders at every step
project is assigned to one or more partners,
and this is popularized
5. Coordination of all communication
The relevant departments or experts at both
strategy actions with MoAF and
ministries are informed and involved to the
MoEW
needed extend in the execution of the
activity or project
6. On-site training for PA administrations An experienced expert or consultant is
and their partners in the process of
involved in the planning and design
implementation of actions
development of the publication, event or
project
7. Clear definition of the audiences and
The final approval of the publication or any
objectives, and the distribution and
other product is based on a preliminary
promotional plans for each publication
plan on the distribution, target audiences or
or other product
participants in the event
8. Use of the small-grant-scheme as a
The approved projects within both grant
mechanism for implementation of the
schemes comply with the objectives and
communication strategy
principles of the communication strategy
9. Search for multiple sources of funding
When a decision on specific activity is
made, it should be accompanied by ideas
for future sources of funding or
opportunities for expanding of the activity.
Identification of concrete potential sources
is necessary.
33
10. Involvement of already established
The organization or institution responsible
organizations and institutions
for the development of or receiving the
product of the activity is an existing
organization. It is clearly stated how the
specific activity contributes to its
development or capacity building.
34
Appendix 2
Wetland Restoration and Pollution Reduction Project
Communication Strategy and Action Plan
Workshop
The objective of the workshop is to use the Project action plan and the already accumulated
experience in identifying the steps and actions that the Project team and the protected sites
administrations need to take in order to build relationships with their partners and target
audiences. Several partnership groups will be build to execute the action plan.
Participants: the Project team, protected area administration, representatives of key partners
local authorities, education, media, NGO, tourist associations, agricultural producers.
Agenda
24 February
14.00 14.30 Opening workshop objectives, agenda,
Marieta Stoimenova
participants
14.30 15.00 Presentation of the strategy framework and
Strategy outline distributed
steps of the process of development of
communication strategy and action plan.
Comments. Questions and answers.
15.00 16.00 Project objectives and actions target
Seminar with all participants
audiences map of interests
16.00 16.30 Coffee break
16.30 17.30 Message development, and discussion of
Small group session
what has been achieved until now in
target groups
18.30 18.00 Small group reports, end of Day 1
25 February
9.00 9.30
Opening of Day 2. Communication
strategy principles. Working groups.
9.30 10.30
Action plan
Small group session
10.30 11.00 Coffee break
11.00 12.00 Putting the plan and success indicators
Seminar with all participants
together
12.00 - 12.30 Next steps. Closing
35
WETLANDS RESTORATION AND POLLUTION REUCTION PROJECT
GEF TF 050706-BUL
Communication Strategy and Action Plan
Workshop, 23 - 24 February 2004, Belene
Participants list
Name Organization
Contacts
Peter Dulev
Belene municipality, Mayor
obshtinabl@infotel.bg
0658 21021
Belene,
35 Bulgaria St.
Elka Duleva
Karitas Belene, Supervisor
0658 23028
Belene
3 Benkovski St.
Emil Mihailov
Municipal counselor, Municipal
e.p.mihaylov@abv.bg
advisor and
0658 25313
Belene,
16 M-r Kochev St.
Miroslav Nikiforov
NGO "Earth Forever", Administrator
earthforever_sv@abv.bg
0631 22048
Svishtov,
84 Tzar Osvoboditel St.
Rumen Djantov
Belene municipality, and private
0658 21061
agriculture entrepreneur
Belene,
35 Bulgaria St.
Milena Dinova
ADM "Danube", Technical assistant
adrm_danube@abv.bg
0658 22960, 22940
Belene,
23 Bulgaria St
Pavel Arabadjiev
"Utro" Enterprise, Manager
0658 22575-
Belene,
22 Br. Miladinovi St.
Radoslava Marinova
"TV COM" Belene, Reporter
0658 26632
Belene
1 F. Dechev St.
Angel Linkov
"TV COM" Belene, Reporter
0658 26632
Belene
1 F. Dechev St.
Veselin Koev
NPD "Persina", Biodiversity specialist persina@thezonebg.com
0658 22684
Belene,
1 G.Benkovski St
Krasimir Mitrushev
NPD "Persina", Accountant
persina@thezonebg.com
0658 22684
Belene,
1 G.Benkovski St
Emel Rujdieva
NPD "Persina", Eco-agriculture
persina@thezonebg.com
specialist
0658 22684
Belene,
1 G.Benkovski St
Ani Peizanova
NPD "Persina", Public relations
persina@thezonebg.com
specialist
0658 22684; 088 7242690
36
Belene,
1 G.Benkovski St
Tihomira Lazarova
NPD "Persina", Temp. Director
persina@thezonebg.com
0658 22684
Belene,
1 G.Benkovski St
Rumiana Kondrova
Belene municipality, Senior
ruslav@abv.bg
Environmental Specialist
0658 21061
Belene,
35 Bulgaria St.
Desislava Dimitrova
Belene municipality, Specialist
0658 21061
Belene,
35 Bulgaria St.
Tihomir Alexandrov
BABP Svishtov Regional Office,
svishtov@bspb.bg
Education coordinator
0631 64014
Svishtov,
15 Dragan Tzankov St.
Ofelia Ivanova
"Hristo Botev-97"
0658 26996
Belene, Organizer
Belene
1 Bulgaria St.
Pavel Koev
Hunting and Fishing Association
0658 22928
"Persina" Belene, Manager
Belene,
1 R. Kniagina
Stefka Popova
Svishtov Municipality, Senior Expert
0631 60741
Belene
35 Bulgaria St.
Margarita Pernikova
Belene municipality, Senior Expert
0658 21061
Education and Culture
Svishtov,
2 C.Cerovski St.
Marieta Stoimenova
PMU WRPR Project, Coordinator
Kalimok/ Brushlen Protected Site
List of Participants
Name Organization
Contacts
Desislava Angelova
Ethnografic Museum "Danube fishing 5 Transmariska Str
and boat-construction",
Toutrakan 7600
Toutrakan
0857 5235
Emil Petkov
Historical Museum
1 Souvorov Str.
Toutrakan
Toutrakan
tnmuseum@mbox.infotel.bg
0857 3345
Daniela Ivanova
Historical Museum
1 Souvorov Str.
Toutrakan
Toutrakan
tnmuseum@mbox.infotel.bg
Kamelia Zlatanova
Primari School Hristo Botev
Toutrakan
0857 2028; 2069
Elena Nikolova
Secondary School Y. Yovkov
15 P.R. Slaveikov Str.
Toutrakan
0857 3563
Angel Angelov
Staro Selo
Staro Selo
37
5 Kamchiya Str.
08572 254, 201, 245
Aneliya Kaldareva
Municipal children Complex
Transmariska Str
Toutrakan
odk_tutrakan2001@abv.bg
0857 2278
Biserka Simeonova
Secondary School Y. Yovkov
Toutrakan
Valentin Georgiev
Babovo
08135 253
Violeta Dinkova
RIE - MoE - Sisistra
75 Shar Planina Str
Silistra
marinov@ccpro.com
086 28712
Gabriela Ivanova
Municipal children Complex
Transmariska Str
Toutrakan
odk_tutrakan2001@abv.bg
0857 2278
Georgi Golemanski
Municipality Slivo Pole
Slivo Pole
1 Democracy Sq.
slivopole@infotel.bg
08131 2795
Georgi Georgiev
Municipality Toutrakan
31 Transmariska Str.
Toutrakan
Tutrakan@mbox.infotel.bg
0857 3021
Georgi Yordanov
Ryahovo
Ryahovo
9 Han Asparuh Str.
08133 2280
Darina Ivanova
Municipality Toutrakan
31 Transmariska Str.
Toutrakan
Tutrakan@mbox.infotel.bg
0857 2116
Dimitar Rainov
RIE - MoE - Rousse
Rousse
082 823342
Elena Boncheva
Registered Agricultural Producer
Nova Cherna
Eliana Ivanova
Teacher, Primary School "St. St. Cyril 12 Han Asparuh Str.
and Methody", Nova Cherna
Nova Cherna
08534 803
Elka Goranova
Lawyers Association Silistra;
10 Transmariska Str.
Toutrakan
e_goranova@yahoo.com
Irena Raeva
Kalimok / Brushlen NGO
31 Transmariska Str.
Toutrakan
raeva@abv.bg
0857 2251
Yordan Koucarov
Kalimok / Brushlen NGO
1 31 Transmariska Str.
Toutrakan
kallimok@yahoo.com
0857 2251
Kalina Grancharova
Radio Shoumen
15 Geo Milev Str., Entr. A, fl 2
Toutrakan
kalina60@abv.bg
Kamelia Zlatanova
Municipal Association for Tourism
31 Transmariska Str.
Toutrakan
38
Tutrakan@mbox.infotel.bg
0857 2432
Kamen Zmeev
Secondary School Hristo Botev,
Toutrakan
Toutrakan
Mehmed Umer
Tcar Samuil
Tcar Samuil
08535 227
Milen Filipov
PMU - MoEW
1 Transmariska Str.
Toutrakan
0857 2251
Nedka Panayotova
Hristo Botev 92, Toutrakan
66 Anna Ventoura Str.
Toutrakan
0857 2329
Nenat Usmen
Nova Cherna
12 Angel Kanchev Str.
Nova cherna
08534 227, 240, 248, 238
Petar Boichev
Historical Museum, Toutrakan
Toutrakan
0857 5235
Plamen Penkov
Babovo
12 Shipka Str.
Babovo
253
Rady Radev
Brashlen
6 Pirin Str.
Brashlen
08138 280
Radka Ivanova
Nova Cherna
8 Al. Stamboliiski Str.
Nova Cherna
08534 376
Reihan Albekim
Golyamo Vranovo
Golyamo Vranovo
rablekim@yahoo.com
rablekim@mail.bg
Reneta Kostadinova
Municipal Administration Silistra
7500 Silistra
27 Dobrudja Str.
rkostadinova@net1.cc
governor@net1.cc
086 820790
Rumen Lipkov
Municipal Administration Silistra
7500 Silistra
27 Dobrudja Str.
r.lipkov@net1.cc
governor@net1.cc
086 820790
Sali Saliev
Municipality Slivo Pole
1 Democracy Sq.
Slivo Pole
sunny55@gbg.bg
083131 2121
Svetlana Ivanova
RIEW - Rousse
20 Pridunavski Blvd. .. 26
Rousse
riosv@ruse.bg
082 820 774
Hristina Nikolova
PMU - MoEW
31 Transmariska Str.
Toutrakan
chris3bg@yahoo.com
0857 2251
39
Appendix 3
Project Progress Activities
PERSINA NATURE PARK ACTIVITIES 2002-2003
In the Persina Nature Park, activities primarily focused on (i) educational programs and
competitions; (ii) public relations and awareness campaigns; (iii) biodiversity and (iv) eco-
agriculture.
1. Educational programs and competitions
These activities were mainly addressed to kindergarten and elementary school children. In
the town of Belene there are three kindergartens and one elementary school. Children are
usually engaged in open air games, drawing contests, as well as short lessons on the nature in
the protected area, its birds, and the forest. The director and teachers of biology at the local
elementary school have been collaborating successfully with the Park staff in designing
lectures for the children.
Drawing competitions always attract interest and are welcomed with enthusiasm by both the
students and the local community. Contests are used as a playful educational tool to inform
the students about the existence and the value of the nature park. In 2002, for example, a
lecture on the Persina Nature Park was organized together with the Bulgarian Society for
Protection of Birds to celebrate the two year anniversary of the establishment of the nature
park by the Ministry of Environment and Water. Children from elementary to high school
were involved, along with the principals of the three schools in Belene, the Deputy Mayor of
the town, and members of the Bulgarian Society for Protection of Birds. This event proved a
big success, and included games, and a fashion contest that required using recycled materials.
The event was broadcasted on the local news and reported in local newspapers.
Drawing contests and games, as well as field trips, are often planned around special
environmental events such as the Week of Environmental Protection, the Forest Week, the
World Fishery Day, the Earth Day, and Water Day. These events offer the opportunity to the
two Park directorates to get together and coordinate their activities. For World Fishery Day,
for example, an amateur fishing contest was organized with the intent of promoting this
traditional economic activity while respecting the nature in the protected area. The event was
well advertised on TV and on local newspapers and invitations were sent out to several
official guests: the Mayor, the Prison Director, the Commander of the Military Brigade, the
project preparation unit, the chitalishte, or local culture centers, the Regional Forestry
Services in Nikopol and Svishtov, and the Director of the Regional Fishing Control
Directorate in Pleven. About 20 people took part in the contest, while many more people
watched the event. During the contest, Park brochures were distributed along with
informational leaflets about the Fishery Day. In addition, a questionnaire was distributed to
all participants to survey (i) local interest in future contests, (ii) level of knowledge about the
40
nature park and its functions, and (iii) feed back impressions about the creation of a picnic
area on the Park premises. The event concluded with an award winning ceremony, a cook out
and entertaining traditional songs. In September 2003, a similar event entitled "Young
Fisherman" was held during the traditional Fair in the town of Belene. This time the
competition took place on a private breeding pond and was presided by the Mayor of Belene.
Park information brochures and the Park bulletin were distributed to all participants. This
initiative represents a successful example of potential collaboration among the Park
administration, the local authorities and the private sector.
Educational activities also include open-air lessons at the picnic area in the Persina Park with
children from the biology circle at the local elementary school, and the ecology circle, a study
group from the Municipal Children Complex. These groups have participated in bird
watching activities and, recently, contributed to the cleaning of the Danube riverbanks and the
picnic area, an initiative of the Park directorate.
In August 2003, the Persina Park Directorate met with the Regional Inspectorate for
Education in Pleven to discuss the educational programs for the academic year 2003-04 in a
sign of renewed collaboration between the two institutions.
2. Public awareness and public relations campaigns
In the last two years, a wide range of public awareness initiatives has taken place to promote
the existence and functions of the Persina Nature Park. A Park logo is now available and is
accompanying all sort of advertising materials, such as stickers, brochures, badges, key
holders, pens and postcards. In addition, information signs have been made and placed at the
picnic area with a list of forbidden activities on the picnic ground; wall clocks have been
produced in the form of a heron; and a billboard with the sign "Welcome to Persina Nature
Park," and its logo was placed at the entrance of the town. A recent storm, though, broke it
and it has not yet been repaired.
The Park administration has organized a series of meetings with, among others,
representatives from the Kaizerslautern Municipality in Germany, the German Ambassador,
the American Deputy Ambassador, as well as a representative from the EU. These meetings
included boat tours of the Belene Danube Archipelago and an official presentation of the
Persina Nature Park and the Wetland Restoration Project. These events have been amply
publicized.
To celebrate the second anniversary of the park designation, a cocktail party was held in town
and was broadcasted by EVROKOM National Network in the national news that same
evening. In general, events and activities sponsored by the Park administration have been
broadcasted on the local cable channel, Videostat and TVCom Belene. A database with the
names and contacts of the local TVs and newspapers the park administration has developed a
relationship with was created and is currently maintained and updated as necessary.
The Park administration has also made an effort to participate in all the special events
organized by the municipality and the town of Belene in 2002 and 2003. The Park
representatives, for example, took part in the celebration of the Bulgarian National holiday on
March 3rd, as well as in the commemoration of Bulgarian heroes who died for the
Independence on June 2nd. Last June, another interesting initiative has involved the
41
celebration of the 25th anniversary of one of the kindergartens in Belene. Together with the
Board of Trustees, the Park administration organized a party for the children and offered a
cake shaped as a heron, the symbol of the Persina Nature Park.
All the events the Park administration has participated in have been covered by the cable news
and accompanied by articles published in municipal bulletins and regional newspapers.
Promotional materials were also developed for distributions at all public events sponsored by
the park administration.
Over the summer 2003, the Park administration was involved in the design of a tourist map
and a brochure of the Persina Park; it also gathered offers for promotional materials such as
T-shirts and hats; and met with representatives of the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of
Birds to prepare a shared plan for future activities to be conducted on biodiversity
conservation on the territory of the Park. The Park staff attended several workshops on
ecotourism forests management and conservation issues. The Park administration also met
with representatives from the Bulgarian Tourist Union to start planning the activities of the
48th edition of the international Danube Regatta.
The Danube Regatta that took place in August 2003 gathered approximately 200 participants
from different nationalities and gave the opportunity to the Park staff to use the event not only
as a promotional tool for the protection of nature on the Danube riverbanks, but also as a
successful initiative in support of Bulgarian cultural heritage as a whole. Traditional
Wallachian dishes were provided by the Park administration, while folk singers and dancers
from the Chitaliste ensembles entertained people with Wallachian songs and dances. Last
year and during the Eastern picnic in Persina Park Catholic traditions and culture were
promoted instead. On the theme of cultural heritage and inter-faith dialogue, in September
2003, a brief publication entitled "Belene The Language of the Catholics," was published
including some general information about the Park and the role played by the Catholic
community in its preservation.2 The book was positively welcomed by the Catholic
population in Belene.
On the scientific side, the Park staff worked out a plan for the autumn migration of birds in
collaboration with the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds, and it also published the
first edition of Persina, the information bulletin of Persina Nature Park Directorate.
3. Partnerships for the management of the protected area
Between 2002 and 2003, several activities were organized, often together with the Bulgarian
Society for the Protection of Birds, which included winter water birds counting, as well as
autumn migration and monitoring of a wide variety of birds: a mix colony of cormorans and
herons, in particular of a new heron colony in Kaikusha, white-tailed eagle and their nests
(numbered and loaded), and heron colonies in the Belene Danube Archipelago. In addition,
observations were carried out on the water level of the marshes, the conditions of its
vegetation, number and species of the nesting birds in the Persina marshes Supported Reserve
and in the Protected Area of Persin-Iztok. Finally, observations were performed on the flora
and fauna of Goliama Burzina Island in order to maintain the database updated. Monthly
2 This information is based on a conversation held with Ms. Annie Peizanova, Public Relations Officer at Persina
Nature Park Directorate, in September 2003. This information needs source confirmation.
42
monitoring of the ornitho fauna were also conducted. Mapping of the summer snowflake
(Leucolum Aestivum) habitat within the territory of the Persina Park took place in the first half
of 2003.
A study about the flora and fauna conditions in "Kaikusha" Protected Area was conducted in
June 2003 along with a study on the Glycherruza glabra condition in "Plavala" Protected
Area. In July 2003, efforts were also undertaken for encircling the Protected Areas in the
Municipality of Nikopol by marking their boundaries and putting signs.
4. Consulting in the area of agriculture
Several activities were conducted in order to promote sustainable agriculture on the protected
area. Information was gathered, for example, to initiate a database for agricultural farmers in
the Municipality of Nikopol. In order to familiarize themselves with the growing of
alternative crops, a study tour was organized for the park staff to visit a rose plantation for
saplings and a dog rose (Rosa canina) plantation.
Between July and August 2003, the database for the stock-breeders on the territory of Persina
Nature Park was updated and information was gathered on the uses of herbs and ethereal
oily crops. At the same time, information was gathered on maize, wheat, barley, and oats
yields from the Regional Advisory Service for Agriculture.
In September 2003, the Persina staff participated in a Seminar entitled "Production of Cereals
Can't Go Without Science."
43
KALIMOK-BRUHLEN PROTECTED AREA ACTIVITIES 2003
In the Kalimok-Brushlen Protected Site, activities for 2002 and 2003 primarily focused on
(i) educational programs and competitions; (ii) public relations and awareness campaigns; (iii)
biodiversity and (iv) eco-agriculture.
1. Educational programs and competitions
Approximately ten educational trips were organized with children from local schools in the
Tutrakan area. Children were offered guided tours of the Danube protected site by boat
followed by recreational activities, such as picnics and fish cook out in the marshes.
Open air lectures were offered throughout the summer at the KBPS. Children from the
kindergarten, elementary and high schools in Tutrakan participated and learnt about the role
and importance of wetlands and biodiversity in the protected site.
In addition, the Park administration in Tutrakan has actively participated in a series of local
festivals and traditional events such as "Earth Day," a "Day at the River," and the "European
Day of the Bird." A brochure of the marshes was prepared and distributed among local
people.
Nature camps, expeditions and field trips for school children have been regularly organized in
2003 and park brochures, as well as advertising materials for these events distributed to the
children and their teachers.
It is also the intention of the Park administration to further develop "green groups" or "green
schools" open to children who have a special interest for nature. These associations of
students include children with an interest for biology and nature in general. The Park
administration would provide educational materials to the schools participating in the project
and the Park biodiversity expert would assist the local teachers in including conservation
elements and biodiversity lessons in their school manuals.
A collaborative relationship between the Park administration and local schools has been
successfully established and has been working for quite some time. During the summer 2003,
for example, a few schools in the Tutrakan area worked in close contact with KBPS in
preparing green projects that won the first prize at a local drawing competition. In addition,
exchange projects with both local and foreign schools were organized involving an
expedition, a green project, as well as lectures on the protection of local nature. For each
project the park administration offered its full support and technical collaboration.
As in Belene, the Kalimok/Brushlen Park administration is lacking finances to successfully
expand its activities. Recently, efforts have been undertaken to raise funds by applying to
multiple grants from various international sources. The Ford Foundation, the British
organization BirdLife UK, as well as the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds were
contacted for small grant program applications.
To face the lack of funds and personnel for the Park management, the Park director
temporarily hired a few fishermen currently out of job to work on the Park premises. This
44
initiative of hiring unemployed fishermen was promoted by the Ministry of Social Affairs
through the Municipality of Tutrakan and has proven successful.
Finally, chitalishte, or culture houses, are quite active in the Tutrakan area where the
fishermen tradition is ancient and a local pride. A museum of fishery and a local history
museum are open to the public in the center of the town. The Park administration has
expressed some interest in collaborating with these well established institutions by combining
the protection of the marshes with their ancient fishing activities.
2. Public awareness and public relations campaigns
The local press and broadcasting channel in Tutrakan has covered several KBPS sponsored
initiatives throughout 2003. During the celebration of Wetlands Day and the Earth Day, the
local TV channel aired a piece on the role and functions of KBPS. In addition, the Park
administration provided information and consultancy services for the production of a
Bulgarian movie called "The Price of Birds."
In early 2003, an article appeared in the national business newspaper "Factor" which
explained the positive relationship between wetlands, their conservation and the fishermen
profession. Finally, two reportages were aired on radio Shumen, a local radio station for
North East Bulgaria about the Wetlands Restoration and Pollution Reduction Project
(WRPRP) and the potentials for eco-agriculture around the Kalimok-Brushlen protected site.
The park administration also participated in a round table in Russe with representatives of the
media for the launch of WRPRP.
During the summer 2003, two Park brochures were designed by the Director of KBPS. One
provides general information about the values and functions of wetlands, the second deals
with detailed information about the park's biodiversity habitat. The latter is almost completed
and can be printed soon. The Park administration also worked on the design of small and big
signboards for KBPS. The project is still pending because of lack of financial resources to
produce the signboards. Finally, technical support was provided to the Tutrakan municipality
for the preparation of posters for the project "Beautiful Bulgaria."
Several promotional initiatives involved fishermen. In August 2003, representatives from
KBPS participated in the event "A Holiday at the River." A brochure was prepared; a boat
competition was held and a short video was made about the event. In addition, a few
meetings with several groups of tourists were held during the summer 2003 within the
program entitled "A Weekend with Danube Fishermen" and a brochure was designed for the
program.
The Park administration spent time traveling to other regional visitors centers such as the ones
in Poda and Ropotamo. The KBPS management also participated in the opening of the
information center at the "Rusenski lom" Nature Park.
The park administration also participated in several ecotourism workshops where the national
strategy and action plan for ecotourism in the country was presented and discussed. In
addition, the Park Director attended a few WWF sponsored workshops presenting the WWF
Danube project in Tutrakan. The Director of KBPS also participated in the preparation of a
project on cultural tourism in the Tutrakan municipality.
45
3. Partnerships for biodiversity conservation
The major activities KBPS organized in this field were (i) workshop lectures; (ii) mid winter
birds counting and monitoring of migrating birds in the Kalmok-Brushlen marshes; (iii)
monitoring of birds nesting in collaboration with the Bulgarian Society of Protected Birds
(BSPB) for the publication of an "Atlas of Nesting Birds in Bulgaria;" (iv) monitoring of
birds in the Tutrakan municipality; and (v) monitoring of the nesting Aegipeus monachus
together with BSPB. In addition, a study of the butterflies of KBPS was undertaken.
Another activity that attracted some interest was fishing boat tours accompanied by local
professional fishermen who worked for the Park administration under the social program
sponsored by the Ministry of Social Affairs through the Municipality of Tutrakan.
Finally, a field visit was paid to the Plovdiv area where the population of the marsh snowdrop
was recently restored, and discussions were initiated to launch a database for biodiversity on
the premises of KBPS.
4. Consulting in the area of eco-agriculture
In the first half of 2003, the Park administration participated in a workshop in Russe on
"Biological Agriculture Requirements and Certification of Products." No additional
activities have been planned or carried out in the field of sustainable agriculture.
46