The “Training for development and work with web-based GIS platform” was conducted in 1-5 of December, 2014

The training aimed at building the capacity, knowledge and skills of the participants in themes related with: operational compatibility of data and concepts for spatial data infrastructure; Inter-operational web-based services of Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC); GIS software products for provision of geographical data via web-based services. The participation of Mr. Larsen provided the possibility for transfer of the Norwegian experience not only from country based project, but also from the Norwegian experience and partnership abroad. The participants had the chance to enter in free and easy communication with the GIS experts and to receive numerous exhaustive answers to various questions, part of the GIs expert answers were also illustrated by real time online demonstrations.

Special time was also dedicated to the INSPIRE Directive (2007/2/EU) related with the development of spatial data infrastructure in Europe. The latter together with the general topic of the training serve as an incentive for conduction of a discussion related to the theme of sharing of spatial data among governmental institutions and NGOs in Bulgaria. Representatives of several governmental institutions involved in administration of spatial data and its distribution to the wide public (Ministry of Environment and Water, Natura 2000 department of the National Nature Protection Service, Environment Executive Agency, Ministry of regional development) were invited to take part in the discussion that was conducted as part of the training.    The available in the country information systems that also contain GIS as well as the BBF project in the frame of which a web-based GIS platform is being developed were presented during the discussion. 

·         It is necessary to work in the direction of increasing the public awareness for the rights for access to environmental information   and the existing technical solutions that facilitate the access to such information;

·         It is necessary to work for  building the capacity of employees of governmental institutions so they can be aware of the benefits of sharing of data as a way for improvement the efficiency of their work and to increase the number of people who are in favor of such an initiative;

·         It is necessary to continue the work with NGOs, who can lead and guide the further process and development in relation to sharing of spatial data;

·         It is necessary to search for additional funding for the needs of the abovementioned processes.

All the conclusions were discussed with the Norwegian experts – representatives of the partner organization, who took the engagement to communicate the results of the discussion to the decision makers in relation to future possibilities for provision of funding.

All materials used during the training will be available at the project’s website: www.gis.biodiversity.bg

The implementation of the “Training for development and work with web-based GIS platform” is part of the project ”Building Capacity of Non-governmental Organizations, Youths and Citizens for Use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Strengthening  the Monitoring  Skills and Advocacy of Policies for Regional Sustainable Development”, funded by the NGO Program in Bulgaria under the European Economic Area Financial Mechanism 2009-2014.   More information for the NGO Program in Bulgaria under the European Economic Area Financial Mechanism 2009-2014 can be found at: www.ngogrants.bg

This document is created with the financial support of the NGO Program in Bulgaria under the Financial mechanism of the European Economic Area. The Bulgarian Biodiversity Foundation bears the full responsibility for the content of the document and under no circumstances can be assumed that the content of the document reflects the official opinion of the Financial mechanism of the European Economic Area and the Operator of the NGO Program in Bulgaria.