Overarching initiative (OI) on Policy

Lobbying for the High Nature Value (HNV) conservation in Bulgaria

Objectives of the project

The main objective of the project is to facilitate and promote policy changes in favor of agro-silvo-pastorals systems at EU and non EU level, their related practices as well as to challenge proposed laws and policies that undermine them. A special focus is placed on the EU Common Agriculture Policy (CAP), the cross cutting matters that will be influential in the CAP debate on pastures and pastoralism as well as other policies that could also have an impact on these systems (e.g. policies related to water, nature and soil regulations). CAP is one of the main drivers for HNVS abandonment/intensification and loss of ecosystems services.  By changing the CAP we could achieve environmental objectives but also ensure the long term future of farming, by protecting natural resources on which agriculture relies on.

The project is part of MAVA Outcome-Action-Plan (OAP) M6 – Loss of biodiversity by abandonment of cultural practices and is implemented by EuroNatur (Germany), Asociación Transhumancia y Naturaleza (Spain), WWF Spain, Med-INA (Greece). The project is running until end of 2020. STEP is working on policy advocacy activities in Bulgaria.

What are our main activities?

Our main activity is policy advocacy for a agro-silvo-pastorals/ HNV farming friendly CAP in Bulgaria., including:

  • Stakeholder analyses – Identification of relevant actors in Bulgaria, which shall be addressed through a policy paper for conn of the HNV farming systems in Bulgaria;
  • Development of a policy paper for Bulgaria for the conservation of the HNV farming systems in Bulgaria;
  • Knowledge exchange and cooperation with Asociación Transhumancia y Naturaleza (Spain), Spain
  • Dissemination and communication activities to spread the position paper and mobilize stakeholders and general public for policy lobbing in favor of HNV systems in Bulgaria.

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