What is The New Thracian Gold?
The New Thracian Gold is a project of ARK Nature and Avalon foundations. Till 2014 they work on organic farming, ecotourism and wilderness in the Eastern Rodopes.
Long-term goal is to create a new landscape with a new economy. An economy based on sustainable farming and tourism combined with the development of complete natural ecosystems. In future people and nature live in harmony and have benefit from each other.
In 2014 there will be different organic farms in the region that are producing and selling local organic products; there will be more opportunities for tourist to stay and to spend time and an appealing wilderness has been designated.
All the work will be done with local farmers, entrepreneurs, municipalities and organisations.
In 2014 the Eastern Rodopes will be an inspiring example for other European regions.
Project approach
A different land use will open up new ways of generating income, and will benefit the ecology and quality of the landscape:
Natural grazing and wilderness
Òhe best way to preserve the mosaic landscape is year-round, large-scale grazing by bovines (cattle), horses, deer and other ungulates. Local nature conservation organisations as well as individuals are eager to continue with large-scale natural grazing projects. The project wants to support this.
Organic agriculture
Îrganic farming in combination with ecotourism, will create jobs, increase the standard of living, and help to halt rural depopulation. The project wants to achieve this by investing primarily in knowledge exchange through training, workshops, demonstration farms and facilitating the process.
Alternative tourism
Òhe Rodopi mountains have all the necessary ingredients to become an ecotourism hotspot: stunning landscapes, exceptional plant and animal diversity, a rich cultural heritage. The project wants to support and facilitate tourism initiatives such as traditional farms offering bed & breakfast, horse riding, tourist-friendly cafes and restaurants, etc. by investing in knowledge exchange. Besides that, the project will promote the area to the Western-European tourism industry.
To execute the New Thracian Gold, our Bulgarian team consists of:
Vlado Popov (organic agriculture): vpopov_bg@yahoo.com , tel. +359 887788412
Mihaela Kircheva (alternative tourism): mihaela_kircheva@abv.bg, +359 887831026
Hristo Hristov (natural grazing and wilderness): grifonvul@abv.bg, +359 886059917
For general information about the project please contact:
ARK Nature
Frank Zanderink (Project leader)
00-31-26-3635444
frank.zanderink@ark.eu
Avalon Netherlands
Nico van der Werf (Executive Director)
00-31-515 331955
nico.vanderwerf@avalon.nl
The New Thracian Gold is financially supported by the Dutch National Postcode Lottery! |
