Regional Industrial Association - Smolyan, in partnership with several Greek and Bulgarian partners, implements a project with the acronym WILD LIFE FOR EVER - "Conservation of biodiversity through sustainable management and protection of rare species and habitats along the rivers Arda and Mesta and the Rhodope Mountains." One of the project activities includes stimulating local businesses and organisations that meet specific minimum environmental protection and biodiversity requirements. Such companies and organizations will receive a Quality Label Certificate in three degrees - gold, silver and bronze, depending on their activity level.
For this purpose, until the end of September 2021, a study is conducted related to environmental protection and biodiversity among companies and organizations operating in the region of Smolyan. Therefore, candidates for the awards must fill in a specially developed form, answering specific questions in 3 categories:
- Covering essential criteria for environmental protection and biodiversity and increasing resource efficiency - 25 questions.
- Degree of application of environmental management systems and introduction of elements of the circular economy - 25 questions.
- Level of implementation of the principles of the green economy - 20 questions.
The companies from Smolyan and the region can fill in the questionnaire. It takes about 45 minutes. After reviewing the answers, the Regional Industrial Association - Smolyan may make additional contact for clarification or obtain documentary evidence to confirm their validity. All forms will be evaluated by a special commission appointed by the project.
The presentation of the certificates to the companies and organizations that have received a Quality Label ("bronze", "silver", or "gold") will take place during an official event, which will take place in Smolyan in October 2021.
The quality label was developed under the project №B2.6d.04 / 10.11.2017 "Conservation of biodiversity through sustainable management and protection of rare species and habitats along the Arda and Mesta rivers and the Rhodope Mountains" (Wild Life For Ever), funded by the INTERREG VA Cross-border Cooperation Program "Greece-Bulgaria 2014-2020", co-financed by the ERDF and nationally co-financed by the participating countries.
