4 years ago, when Katrin, a young Bulgarian girl came to volunteer for 2 months in Kuterevo bear refuge, we didn’t know that it would be the beginning of a long-term partnership between Kuterevo and Bulgarian environmental projects.

Already in 2013, Katrin came back to Kuterevo with a small group of youngsters from Bulgaria to participate in the Youth Exchange „Bear and people – from myths to reality“. This great experience strengthened our good contact and few months later Katrin contacted us to help her in a project of Eco Center for education and sustainable development in Bulgaria.

Velebitska udruga Kuterevo happily decided to support the initiative, and to play the role of adviser in this project which is supported by EEA grants. That’s how, after long preparations, Katrin came again to Kuterevo in July, with a few members of the project, to visit the bear refuge, share experiences on organizing workshops and running voluntary activities among youth and discuss development of future activities.

At the end of the summer, it was our turn to visit the Bulgarian project, and 2 members of VUK went to Bulgaria to help with the organisation of a Nature School for children in Chiprovtsi. During 5 days, they supported the local team to take care of the children, organise workshops and nature games and other educational activities.

Katrin’s project in now going on, with the development of the center, compost workshop with local community, biodiversity handbook of the region, eco-patrol and others various activities.

Learn more: http://uplanin.chiprovtsi.bg/