62 million BGN have been provided by the Operational Program “Environment 2014 – 2020” (OPE) to improve the environmental protection status of forest natural habitats through afforestation. The funds will be used to fulfill Bulgaria’s key commitment for the EU initiative to plant three billion new trees in fulfillment of the EU 2030 Biodiversity Strategy.

Related activities was launched today by the Minister of Environment and Water Rositsa Karamfilova together with the Minister of Agriculture Yavor Gechev, the deputy ministers respectively of environment Maria Boyadzhiyska and of agriculture Valentin Chambov, the Executive Director of the Forestry Executive Agency Stoyan Toshev, and the head of the governing body for Operational Program “Environment 2014-2020” Galina Simeonova. At a meeting, Minister Karamfilova signed contracts with the directors of three of the state forestry enterprises.

“I am convinced that the actions we are taking are in favor of the environment and a rich biodiversity. With the launch of these important projects, we will not only fulfill a number of key goals for our country, but we will also make our contribution to the mission of forest protection”, said Minister Karamfilova. She defined the initiative as a partnership, but also an ambitious goal.

“The framework at this stage appears to be only on paper. But I am sure that next year those standing in our places will be able to report achieved results”, she added.

The Minister of Agriculture Yavor Gechev noted that even seemingly intractable cases can be easily solved with joint efforts and when the legislation is abided by.

“We can enhance not only good communication, but excellent cooperation between the two ministries, and today’s occasion proves it. This is also the path of partnership to create the right policies,” said Minister Gechev.

Considering the combined activities of the six projects, it is planned that the total area of newly planted forests will be more than 1 300 ha, the produced new saplings - more than 2.5 million, and the planted ones - more than 1 million. The following activities will be funded: afforestation with tree species, cultivation, transportation and storage of planting material, repair and modernization of nurseries, supply of equipment. As a result of the implementation of project activities, the capacity of enterprises for production and planting will be increased by renovating nurseries.

The three contracts signed today for the grant of financial aid under the procedure “Improving the environmental protection status of forest natural habitats and supporting the ecosystem services provided by forests through the application of forestry practices and afforestation” amount to the total value of 30 million BGN.

The funds for the Southwest Enterprise - Blagoevgrad are 12.5 million BGN. Those will be used for the production and planting of over 2.2 million trees on a total area of 330.5 ha.

The South-Eastern Enterprise - Sliven is granted 10 million BGN for afforestation of over 151 hectares and replenishment of areas of over 148 hectares.

8 million BGN have been earmarked for the South-Central Enterprise for afforestation of approximately 154 ha and for the replenishment of forest crops on nearly 41 ha.

With the implementation of the measures under the three projects, the area of forest habitats will increase by nearly 700 ha, while at the same time their nature conservation status will be improved.

By the end of the year, the signing of three more contracts is planned for the provision of grant funding to the North-West, North-Central and North-East state enterprises with a total value of over 30 million BGN, which are to be used to reforest over 600 ha of new forests.

Within the framework of the project of the North-West State Enterprise - Vratsa, for which 10 million BGN are provided, it is planned to carry out afforestation of 3 623 decares with about 680 thousand saplings, cultivation of 19 806 decares of forest crops and 1 355 decares of young plantations.

Also the budget for the North-Central State Enterprise – Gabrovo amounts to 10 million BGN, which will fund the afforestation of new 5 353 decares, natural regeneration and the production of planting material.

The funds of over BGN 11 million, provided to the North-East State Enterprise - Shumen, will contribute to the afforestation of 230 ha, as well as the performance of accompanying activities.

The OPE 2014-2020 procedure reflects the new strategic and planning documents at the European level, and it aims to support the implementation of measures that will contribute to increasing the coverage of forest habitats and improving their environmental status.

The measures aim to achieve the specific objective “Improving the conservation status of species and habitats from the Natura 2000 network” within priority axis 3 of OPE 2014-2020.