Bulgaria Protected Areas campaign

Save Bulgaria's Treasures!

Bulgaria has some of Europe's most valuable natural areas, but these treasures are being destroyed.

Holiday homes, hotels, villas, ski resorts and ski runs are being built in many of Bulgaria's national and nature parks. They are being built illegally, against existing national laws and regulations.

We need to send a clear message

* To those destroying Bulgaria's natural treasures: that this is not acceptable
* To relevant authorities: to implement existing laws and regulations
* To political decision makers: to take necessary steps to ensure real protection for the country's natural riches


About the campaign

Launched in October 2006, WWF's campaign is part of a broader effort by Bulgarian organisations to focus national attention on the increasing number of illegal activities that are affecting Bulgaria’s protected areas and the authorities’ lack of reaction, involvement and financial support necessary for the management of these areas.

50,000 Bulgarians signed a petition organised by WWF and partner organisations that emphasises Bulgaria's outstanding natural capital, the main threats to it and calls on the authorities to take action before it is too late. The signatures and petition were presented to the Bulgarian President, Prime Minister and Parliament as well as to relevant authorities in February 2007.  In April-May 2007, over 14,000 people from around the world sent messages to the Bulgarian President, Prime Minister and Parliament calling on them to take action on one particular case, Strandzha Nature Park, where a holiday complex has been illegally constructed. Additional letters of concern have been sent to the Bulgarian government by WWF's Director General as well as a number of organisations, including the European Habitats Forum, Eurosite and Europarc.

None of the addressees -- neither the Bulgarian President, Prime Minister, Parliament nor relevant authorities -- have issued any response to the letters and petitions nor has any action been taken.

Nevertheless, the plight of Bulgaria's protected areas has received national and even international attention. Please help us keep up the pressure to save Bulgaria's natural wealth!

 Advertising campaign

An advertising campaign that ran from October to December 2006 included 3 sets of print and electronic advertisements, each featuring a For Sale sign before a well-known protected area (Strandzha Nature Park, Rila and Pirin National Parks). A radio clip featured an auction for one of these protected areas.

The campaign is supported by Ogilvy & Mather Sofia (creatives) and Mindshare Sofia (media work).

Media partners:

The following media partners have provided free space for campaign advertisements in print, internet, radio, outdoor and indoor:

Print media: 24 часа (24 hours), Труд (Work), Телеграф (Telegraf), Политика (Politics), Новинар (Journalist), Авто Труд (Auto Work), Ние (We), жените (Women), Дневник (Diary), За жената (For Women), Мениджър (Manager), Програмата (The Programme), Freestyle, Една седмица в София (One Week in Sofia), Александра (Alexandra), Паралели (Parralels), Digital Magazine, National Geographic Bulgaria, Одисей (Oddysey), Bulgaria Air, Insight, Intro, HiComm, Образование и Кариера (Education and Career), Бакхус, Businessweek Bulgaria, Капитал Light (Capital Light), Лидер (Leader), Auto Bild, Идеален дом (The Ideal Home), Хай Клуб (Hi Club), Ритъм (Rhythm), Happy Weekend, HiFi, На кафе (For Coffee).

Rаdio: БНР-Хоризонт (BNR Horizon), Ретро Радио (Retro Radio), Дарик (Darik), RFI, БГ Радио (Bulgarian Radio), Тангра Мега Рок (Tangra Mega Rock).

Internet: Dir.bg, Нетинфо (Netinfo), Mediapool.bg, 911.bg, fame.bg, Аз-жената, Teentopic

Outdoor advertising: Adv Wall Street, Метрореклама (Metro Advertising), Агенция Имидж (Image Agency), Trendy Vision

Indoor advertising: TransPorta Media Group, Fame Cards

Contact and further information:

Konstantin Ivanov, WWF Danube-Carpathian Programme/Bulgaria, tel. +359 2 8656130