On February 20, 2020, Information Day was held in the city of Burgas, at the Flora Exhibition Center of the Seaside Park, Hall # 2, on the Call for proposals “Small Grant Scheme for Marine Litter Reduction Measures” under the Outcome 2: “Assessment, Monitoring and Management System of Marine Waters Developed” under the Environment Protection and Climate Change Programme of EEA Financial Mechanism 2014-2021.
Members of the RedMarLitter BSB552 “Innovative Techniques and Methods for Reducing Marine Litter in the Black Sea Coastal Areas” Project team, implemented jointly with Burgas Municipality, University of Constanta-Romania, Tbilisi State University-Georgia and lead partner the Via Pontica Foundation-Bulgaria, attended the event.
Welcoming remarks by Deputy Minister Atanaska Nikolova and Prof. Dr. Sevdalina Turmanova – Chairman of the Municipal Council of Burgas, launched the presentation panel, focusing discussion on the basic concepts, eligible applicants and partners, partnership agreement, budget completion and other specific conditions.
“This year, Bulgaria has focused its efforts on preserving the unique protection of the Black Sea in order to develop quality tourism, fisheries and aquaculture and make our cities cleaner and more attractive. According to the European Commission, between 150 thousand and 500 thousand tons of waste per year fall into the world’s oceans and seas, so the problem is with micro plastics that go into our bodies, so we are targeting local authorities to actively involve citizens in this policy. Be active in the preparation of project proposals, “said Deputy Minister Atanaska Nikolova.
The European Economic Area Financial Mechanism 2014-2021 provides funding from the grants assured by the Kingdom of Norway, the Republic of Iceland and the Principality of Liechtenstein.
The aim is to reduce economic and social disparities in Europe and to strengthen bilateral relations between donor countries and beneficiary countries by financing several priority sectors, including the environment, civil society and others.
The aim of the Small Grant Scheme is to finance projects implementing initiatives for the reduction of the amount of marine litter, including training and awareness-raising regarding marine pollution.
In line with all the measures taken under the RedMarLiter Project and in its desire to enrich and upgrade the established cooperation with other partners under the Black Sea Basin 2014-2020 Operational Program, the Via Pontica Foundation actively pursues all possibilities for solving this problem of international importance.