Students from the “Thomas Jefferson” Second English Language School (2nd ELHS) in Sofia were guests to the team of the Water Management Directorate at the Ministry of Environment and Water (MOEW). The young people are participants in the implementation of the civic education project “Drop by Drop” led by Mariana Boshnakova.

The meeting took place in response to their letter to the ministry, in which the students express their belief in the need for active civic support and a visionary approach in the face of serious climate change, as well as urgent solutions to ensure sufficient water resources for today’s and tomorrow’s generations in Bulgaria.

The “Drop by Drop” project aims to raise the awareness of society, administrative bodies, and non-governmental organizations about the responsibilities for water supply in the country and to contribute to the formation of civic attitudes to protect and save water as a priceless natural resource.

In her presentation, the Director of the Water Management Directorate Iliyana Todorova introduced the students to the specificities and legal framework for the management of water as a natural resource. Together with Maria Arangelova, Head of the River Basin Management Department, they answered all questions raised by the students, related to water supply and irrigation in less water-secured areas, the very large water losses in the water supply systems - a total of 60.25%, the management of water abstraction from complex and significant dams, etc.

The students carefully followed the story about the efforts by the Ministry of Environment and Water and the national policies set to implement measures for more effective water management, working with other ministries and institutions in the relevant sectors.

The young team of "Drop by Drop" from 2nd ELHS is about to organize a campaign for the protection and saving of water among their peers and the entire public, for which they received assurances of cooperation and support from the Ministry of Environment and Water.