[Nikolay Vasilev]

The Executive Forest Agency (EFA), Bulgaria, express its interest for joining established partnership for developing nature project proposal under Interreg Euro-MED Call 8 – Thematic Projects, specifically within the Natural Heritage mission and its two eligible thematic areas: Ecosystem Restoration and Biodiversity Resilience. As a public authority with substantial experience in project development and implementation, EFA combines sectoral expertise in forest management, ecosystem protection, biodiversity conservation, protected areas and Natura 2000 with institutional capacity to contribute to the delivery of practical environmental solutions. The Agency’s experience in European, international and national programmes and projects provides a strong basis for cooperation focused on tangible results, effective implementation and lasting environmental benefits.
EFA’s approach is strategic and selective. We aim to support project concepts with clear territorial relevance, a credible implementation pathway and strong potential to generate measurable results. Our intention is to engage where the Agency’s expertise and operational role can add substantial value to both the quality of the application and the successful implementation of the project. EFA is particularly interested in proposals addressing the restoration of degraded terrestrial ecosystems, with a focus on forest ecosystems, habitat condition and long-term ecosystem resilience. EFA also welcomes proposals that strengthen biodiversity conservation and improve the resilience of terrestrial ecosystems through coordinated management, monitoring and evidence-based conservation measures. Across both thematic areas, EFA is interested in projects that move beyond general studies and recommendations towards practical testing, implementation and demonstrable improvements in the participating territories.
EFA contributed, alongside the competent Bulgarian ministries, to the preparation of Bulgaria’s draft National Nature Restoration Plan, submitted to the European Commission on 1 September 2026. Projects can build on this policy process by testing practical restoration approaches, strengthening monitoring and decision-support methodologies, improving ecosystem management and generating transferable evidence that can inform the further development and implementation of national measures. Looking ahead, the forthcoming National and Regional Partnership Plans for the EU’s 2028-2034 budget period also provide a relevant strategic context for linking environmental objectives with territorial investment priorities. While these plans are still part of the EU budget development process, Call 8 projects can help develop practical solutions, implementation experience and cooperation models relevant to future national and regional priorities.
EFA is therefore interested in proposals that establish a clear connection between transnational pilot activities, EU environmental objectives and Bulgaria’s national and territorial needs, while creating opportunities for knowledge transfer and wider application across the Mediterranean.
Given the short implementation period of Call 8, EFA can be focused on proposals that are sufficient to move rapidly from application to implementation.
We invite lead applicants and established consortia with strong proposals in Ecosystem Restoration or Biodiversity Resilience to submit their concepts for consideration. Please provide a concise project outline, the principal challenge addressed, the proposed pilot activities, the partnership structure and the expected results, so that to clarify possible specific contribution from EFA. Our objective is to identify the most appropriate cooperation opportunity and contribute substantive expertise, institutional capacity and implementation commitment to a competitive application and a successful project.
Executive Forest Agency (EFA) – Bulgaria
Website: https://www.iag.bg/
Contact person: Mr. Nikolay Vasilev – head expert (niki.vasilev@gmail.com)

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