The project “Sustainable bats conservation in the cross border area” (BatsConserve) is implemented under the European Territorial Cooperation Programme Greece – Bulgaria 2014-2020.
The Cooperation Programme Interreg V-A «Greece-Bulgaria 2014-2020» was launched to improve co-operation on issues of common interest and deal with the challenges of the modern era in a more efficient and effective way. Its ultimate aim is a better everyday life.
The Programme is focused on Northern Greece and in Southern Bulgaria around their common border.
The eligible area covers the regions of Evros, Kavala, Xanthi, Rodopi, Drama, Thessaloniki, Serres in Greece, and Blagoevgrad, Smolyan, Kardzhali, Haskovo in Bulgaria.
Both public and other institutions on both sides of the border can benefit from the programme in a diverse range of activities that fall in the sectors of competitiveness, environment, culture, transportation, health and social issues.
The budget of the Programme is 130.000.000 Euros and is provided by the European Union together with Greece and Bulgaria.
For more information about the Programme please visit the official website: http://www.greece-bulgaria.eu/
The overall objective of the project is improvement of bat population (Chrioptera) along the Mesta (Nestos) River and caves in the region of Momchilgrad – Komotini through joint activities on conservation of significant bat habitats.
The benefits arising from the implementation of project activities can be summarized in the following fine areas:
- The BatsConserve project will improve the state of bat populations (Chrioptera) within the cross border area through joint activities on conservation of bat habitats.
- The project will help overcome national borders and build shared knowledge on bats diversity and transnational ecosystems on the Balkans.
- The Bats Conserve project will support policy and action plans by integrating scientific knowledge into guidance documents.
- The innovative approach will combine nature conservation and technology for the creation of interactive geo portal on bats conservation.
- Through its communication and dissemination activities, it will raise awareness among local population about the importance of bats protection.
Project Partnership
Lead Beneficiary: South-West University “Neofit Rilski”, Faculty of Economics
Project Beneficiary 2: Aristotle University of Thessaloniki – Special account for research funds, Department of forestry and natural environment