Informed citizen participation in favor of nature

About this project

<p style="text-align: justify"><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;, &quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-size: 12pt">Active citizens</span> <span style="font-size: 12pt">and groups from across the country</span> <span style="font-size: 12pt">seek help from the two</span> <span style="font-size: 12pt">organizations – project partners for various environmental problems</span><span style="font-size: 12pt">. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt">The two organizations</span> <span style="font-size: 12pt">have</span> <span style="font-size: 12pt">excellent expert potential</span> <span style="font-size: 12pt">but no financial resources</span> <span style="font-size: 12pt">to enable them to invest human resources</span> <span style="font-size: 12pt">in helping all the citizens who approached us</span><span style="font-size: 12pt">. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt">The main goal of the project is to raise</span> <span style="font-size: 12pt">civic awareness</span> <span style="font-size: 12pt">and capacity</span> <span style="font-size: 12pt">for protection of the public interest regarding</span> <span style="font-size: 12pt">clean environment</span> <span style="font-size: 12pt">and preserved nature</span> <span style="font-size: 12pt">and provide people with</span> <span style="font-size: 12pt">the opportunity</span> <span style="font-size: 12pt">to be directly involved</span> <span style="font-size: 12pt">in local self-governance</span><span style="font-size: 12pt">.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt"> The project will support active citizens</span> <span style="font-size: 12pt">and groups</span> <span style="font-size: 12pt">for the efficient application of local policies on</span> <span style="font-size: 12pt">environment protection and</span> <span style="font-size: 12pt">spatial development</span><span style="font-size: 12pt">. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt">The main focus will be on the application of the following acts</span><span style="font-size: 12pt">: </span><span style="font-size: 12pt">the Spatial Development Act (SDA)</span><span style="font-size: 12pt">, Act on the </span><span style="font-size: 12pt">S</span><span style="font-size: 12pt">patial </span><span style="font-size: 12pt">D</span><span style="font-size: 12pt">evelopment</span><span style="font-size: 12pt"> of the </span><span style="font-size: 12pt">Black </span><span style="font-size: 12pt">S</span><span style="font-size: 12pt">ea </span><span style="font-size: 12pt">C</span><span style="font-size: 12pt">oast, </span><span style="font-size: 12pt">the Administrative Procedure Code</span><span style="font-size: 12pt">, </span><span style="font-size: 12pt">the </span><span style="font-size: 12pt">Access to Public Information Act, </span><span style="font-size: 12pt">the </span><span style="font-size: 12pt">Direct Citizen Participation in State and Local Government Act, </span><span style="font-size: 12pt">the Environmental Protection Act and</span> <span style="font-size: 12pt">the Biological Diversity Act</span><span style="font-size: 12pt">.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt"> The civic awareness and capacity of active citizens and</span> <span style="font-size: 12pt">civic groups</span> <span style="font-size: 12pt">from</span> <span style="font-size: 12pt">the </span><span style="font-size: 12pt">28</span><span style="font-size: 12pt"> districts across the country will be raised through 36</span> <span style="font-size: 12pt">training sessions</span><span style="font-size: 12pt">.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt"> Local activists will be introduced to</span> <span style="font-size: 12pt">the steps for successful campaigning</span> <span style="font-size: 12pt">and the updated</span> <span style="font-size: 12pt">guide on the application of </span><span style="font-size: 12pt">7 </span><span style="font-size: 12pt">laws at local level</span><span style="font-size: 12pt">.</span> <span style="font-size: 12pt">10 local initiatives related to environment will be supported with expertise and legal aid by means of</span> <span style="font-size: 12pt">support for the planning and organization of campaigns</span><span style="font-size: 12pt">, </span><span style="font-size: 12pt">expert advice</span><span style="font-size: 12pt">, </span><span style="font-size: 12pt">letters and claims and legal aid</span><span style="font-size: 12pt">.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt"> A municipal Ordinance on citizen participation in decision making at local level</span> <span style="font-size: 12pt">will be developed</span> <span style="font-size: 12pt">and an attempt will be made to have it adopted by at least one municipality</span><span style="font-size: 12pt">.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt"> The project will benefit civic activists and organizations from </span><span style="font-size: 12pt">28 </span><span style="font-size: 12pt">districts</span> <span style="font-size: 12pt">and</span><span style="font-size: 12pt"> 10 </span><span style="font-size: 12pt">local communities including the broad public</span><span style="font-size: 12pt">.</span></span></span></p>

Project partners

• BALKANI Wildlife Society Project partner· Bulgaria