Partners - Environmental & Conservation Cooperation
PAN Parks is an innovative initiative to create a network of Europe’s best wilderness areas stretching from the Arctic to the Mediterranean. Bulgaria’s “Central Balkan” National Park and “Rila” National Park have been included in this network. By implementing an independent quality standard for protected area management and sustainable tourism, the PAN Parks initiative builds strong partnerships between protected area managers, local communities and business partners. This enables you to support, preserve and enjoy Europe’s wilderness. As a certified local PAN Parks partner, Balkan Trek is committed to working together with park managers to provide a quality tourism experience that does not harm the environment. We have undergone an independent assessment to ensure that we meet set standards and criteria relating to sustainable tourism. |
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“Central Balkan” National Park 
Founded
in 1991, the National Park preserves the unique nature of the Central
Stara Planina as well as the traditions and way of life connected
with this region. The National Park has an astonishing variety of
landscapes and life forms, and helps protect a unique natural environment
comprising ecosystems that are representative for Europe. The National
Park authorities comply with the requirements of European law, making
the area suitable for inclusion in the European network of protected
areas under the NATURA 2000 programme. Because of its well-preserved
wild nature, in 2003 the “Central Balkan” National Park
was certified into the European PAN Parks network. Through the building
of partnerships and by encouraging business initiatives, the directorate
of the National Park guarantees the protection of the natural environment,
but also creates favourable conditions for the development of responsible
tourism in the region. |
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Bulgarian Biodiversity Foundation 
The Bulgarian Biodiversity Foundation is a non-profit organisation
active for nature conservation and sustainable development. It is
the successor of the Bulgarian-Swiss Biodiversity Conservation Programme
(BSBCP), a 10 years intergovernmental partnership programme. The
mission of the Foundation is to contribute to the conservation of
the natural heritage of Bulgaria, as well as involving itself in
trans-boundary cooperation and regional activities with neighbouring
south-eastern Europe countries. The Foundation now plays an efficient
and highly-respected role in nature conservation in Bulgaria. |
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Environmental Organisation Rhodope 
The Environmental Organisation Rhodope has for many years been actively
involved in nature conservation and sustainable development in the
Rodopi Mountains. It aims to research, protect and conserve the
unique biodiversity of the Rodopi, to support sustainable development
in the region, and to raise public awareness about nature conservation.
The Organisation has taken an active role in the establishment and
functioning of Information Centres in the Rodopi.
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