14 EcoSan Bulgaria – Seminar (12-13.04.2007, Sofia, Bulgaria)

Alternative for Wise Management of Human Waste and Waste Water

The seminar is an integral part of the long-term effort of WECF – The Netherlands, WASTE – the Netherlands, and Earth Forever – Bulgaria, to raise awareness about ecological sanitation as an alternative for waste water and human waste management for rural areas in Bulgaria.

Based on the demand for improved and safe sanitation, and the obligation of Bulgaria to meet the requirements of the EU Water Framework Directive, the need for development of local capacity has been identified. For the goal of introducing new concepts and eventually scaling-up the efforts made so far, it is important to establish support for policy development and implementation of locally made small scale sanitation systems, including e.g. dry urine-diverting toilet seats.

The seminar will serve as the start of a multistakeholders’ EcoSan forum that will further continue exploring the potential and drawbacks of ecological sanitation in Bulgaria, and a platform at national level that supports implementation of projects on ecological sanitation.

World famous scientists and practitioners are invited as speakers to present their concepts, as well as their successfully implemented projects to develop local capacity for decentralized ecological waste water and sanitation equipment. The topics that will be discussed range from ecological sanitation as concept, European legislation on sanitation and the potential business opportunities. ...more information

13 It Is not a Luxury – It Is a Human Right (2005-2006)

The project addresses a burning issue in Bulgarian schools: ill-maintained and nonfunctioning school toilets

It aims to raise the awareness of school children about their human right to safe and healthy school toilets and hand washing facilities as guaranteed by the Bulgarian legislation through a civic model of “learning-by-doing.” The project will involve children from three schools in Stara Zagora. It will train the young people to act as responsible citizens and encourage the responsible local authorities to take appropriate action. These weekly training workshops will include topics as civic education and responsible citizenship; launching and implementing a public awareness campaign, lobbying for grass roots projects, mobilizing resources for these projects, working with local government to ensure enforcement of school sanitation and hygiene legislation, safe water and sanitation. The program will also raise the awareness of all stakeholders on the necessity to enforce the existing legislation that a healthy school environment is a human right via Teachers-Parents Committees Workshops and a Local Government Workshop for municipal counselors, experts, and administrators. A broad public awareness campaign comprising Regional City Round Table Discussion, Regional School Sanitation Conference, “Wash Your Hands” Campaign, and an Action for Change Campaign mobilizing matching funds from local resources for concrete repair projects in schools will accomplish the activities planned for implementation. ...more information

12 Developing a Model for Sustainable Water and Waste Management for Rural Areas in Bulgaria (2005-2007)

Earth Forever works on the implementation of the project in two villages of Stara Zagora Municipality – Stara Zagora Spa and Sulitsa. All stakeholders (members of the government, local government, experts, young people, villagers, NGOs, etc.) are involved into a multi-stakeholders forum to discuss practical issues of rural water supply, sanitation and solid waste management.

The project aims to provide a forum for open sharing of experience and concerns and looking for solutions to be tested in pilot projects in both villages. This is a model for finding solutions of pressing problems: protection of drinking water sources, safe toilets and safe wastewater treatment, safe domestic solid waste treatment. ...more information