Wetlands Restoration and Pollution Reduction Project GEF TF 050706 BUL Ministry of Environment and Water – Project Coordination Unit Presented by Marieta Stoimenova Project Manager 24 September 2003

Development objective of the Wetlands Restoration and Pollution Reduction Project Local communities and local authorities in the Persina Nature Park and the Kalimok–Brushlen Protected Site areas adopt sustainable natural resources management practices.

Project Components Component 1 - Wetlands Restoration: The Project will help restore critical priority wetlands in the Danube River basin to demonstrate the use of the wetlands as nutrient sinks.

Project Components Component 2 - Protected Areas Management: This component will support the next step towards the sustainable resource management and protection within the two protected sites, Persina Nature Park (22000 ha) and Kalimok– Brushlen Protected Site (6000 ha). Starting with the preparation of protected areas management plans at the two sites, the component will then move on to support the implementation of priority actions identified within the management plan framework

Incentive measures within the frames of the Project To encourage the conservation and sustainable use of the natural resources, the following incentive measures are provided within the frames of the Project: Farmer Transition Support Fund - assist farmers in transitioning to environmentally-friendly agricultural practices and to change the cropping patterns where necessary (GEF); Biodiversity Conservation Small Grants Program - support activities that promote biodiversity conservation (GEF);

Where will be the Project be Located?

Wetlands Restoration vis-à-vis Protected Areas

COMPONENT C: PROJECT MANAGEMENT, COORDINATION AND MONITORING Project coordination and management Project monitoring and evaluation

What will be the Benefits from the Project? Benefits at the local level reduced nutrient load increased species diversity established and developed environmentally- friendly economic activities Benefits at the global level reduced transboundary load increased biodiversity

Institutional and Implementation Arrangements Project Steering Committee Functions: Provides overall oversight, advice and supports coordination Chair: Minister or authorized Deputy Minister (MoEW) Members: MoEW, MoJ, MoE, MoJ, MoH, MoLSP, MoRDPW, Muns, NGOs Project Coordinators (MoEW) Functions: Reports to Chair of PSC on project progress. Members: Head Water Department and Head National Nature Protection Services. Project Liaison Group Functions: Facilitates coordination and supports implementation. Members: Junior Specialists Water Department and National Nature Protection Services, MoEW; National Forestry Board, MoAF. Project Coordination Unit (Under supervision of MoEW) Functions: Handles day-to-day coordination and management of overall project and administrates GEF grant. Location: Sofia with substantial physical presence in project sites Staff: Project Manager, Accountant, Financial Management Specialist, Procurement Specialist, Database Management Specialist, Technical Experts, Grants Program Officer, Liaison Officers (2), Administrative Assistance, Driver. PHARE Unit (MoEW) Ruse Business Support Center

Institutional and Implementation Arrangements Project Coordination Unit Sofia Office Grants Officer Local Liaison Officer Grants Officer Local Liaison Officer Kalimok/Brushlen Protected Site Association Persina Nature Park Directorate Regional Environmental Inspectorate Ruse Regional Environmental Inspectorate Pleven

Thank you for the attention