Completed project “Feasibility Study for Trans-border Biosphere Reserve Osogovo”

Тhe end of the project „Feasibility Study for Trans-border Biosphere Reserve Osogovo", ref. 2007CB16IPO007-2012-3-047, funded by the European Union through IPA Cross-border Cooperation Programme Bulgaria – the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, was marked by a closing event on 12 November 2015.

Presented were the results of the 18-month long collaboration between the project partners Bulgarian Biodiversity Foundation - Belasitsa Branch and Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Food, University Ss. Cyril and Methodius – Skopje, represented by its regional office in Strumica.

Presentations were made by project manager Martina Koleva, Economics expert Dimitar Sabev, Cultural heritage and Sociology expert Stanislava Zahova, the compiler of the Feasibility Study for Trans-border Biosphere Reserve Osogovo Ljubomir Dimovski and the young BBF co-worker Katrin Tomova.

The meeting was attended by about 40 people, including representatives of NGOs, educational institutions and businesses from the project area. During the discussion and the cocktail the participants had the opportunity to express their opinions and exchange ideas to build on the achievements of the project.

The surveys done in the framework of the project in the field of Flora, Fauna, Forestry, Agronomy, Cultural and Historical Heritage, Tourism, Economics and Sociology for the whole territory of Osogovo (Bulgarian and Macedonian part) serve as a basis of a profound analyses about the potential of Osogovo mountain for a Transboundary Biosphere Reserve as an opportunity for sustainable development, raising of the living standard and conservation of valuable nature resources.