Място за Бъдеще

1. Short assessment of the problem/situation/need addressed by the project.

Assessment of the problem/situation addressed by the project:Тhis project has addressed a range of problems in the academic milieu, helping to establish among students a better understanding of the principles of sustainable development, such as an adequate awareness of key concepts and current issues and turning theory into practice. It has covered the problem of inadequate familiarity with civil initiatives’ effective practices and achievements, and the gap between university education and civic action. These problems concern not only academic education, but also the civil initiatives aiming at safeguarding the supremacy of law and preserving the environment.

The project has marked a new stage in the evolution of the existing organizations and projects related to sustainable education and science. Its unique feature has been the core idea to support activists in the university milieu, enabling them to grasp the need for carrying out various purposeful initiatives and events based on sustainable development concepts, and to propose, develop and organize them by themselves and with the support of their university colleagues, in close collaboration with the Project coordinators. Its goal has been the successful establishment of a common space and the development of mechanisms of effective interaction among academic circles, civil initiatives and environmental NGO for the promotion, mediation and support of civil initiatives according to the principles of sustainable development. It has aimed at encouraging and stimulating the network of already existing intra- and inter-university student groups or initiatives tackling various current environmental and sustainable development issues.

Assessment of the need addressed by the project:

The activists with an academic background (mainly students) lacked systematic information about local and national civil initiatives. They used to take part in various such initiatives spontaneously and chaotically, missing the opportunity for further commitment. They now follow them up and have the chance to track the public response. Moreover, lecturers themselves now have become more familiar with the civil movement scope and its driving forces.

1. List your initial objectives and activities and describe what has happened during the project (in addition to the activities, please also refer to publications, studies, video clips and other materials produced within the project and send them together with this report – if they were not previously sent with the interim report).

Initial Objectives:

1. - Informing the academic milieu of the existing civil initiatives for environmental conservation and sustainable development;
2. - Students’ and professors’ commitment to support these civil initiatives;
3. - Creating an academic space for ideas and experience sharing and exchange;
4. - Encouraging and stimulating the network of already existing active university and inter-university student groups; or initiatives tackling with various current environmental protection and sustainable development issues;
5. - Improving civil initiatives’ capacity via sharing effective practices and expert support by professors and NGO experts;
6. - Integration of the core Project’s sustainable development concepts and practices into the students’ curricula and professors’ schedules as internships and traineeships.

Activities aimed at informing and presenting the core concepts, ideas and activities of the Project

1. 1. Carrying out information meetings, lectures, presentations, video screenings in various Departments and Universities aimed at familiarizing the academic environment with the civil initiatives and the issues that triggered them

• Could we Save Bulgaria’s Nature? - debate with the participation of representatives of For the Nature Coalition and partnering Departments at New Bulgarian University /October 23, 2008, New Bulgarian University/

• Nature With no Borders - discussion with David Morand, head of France – Rila Association /October 28, 2008, New Bulgarian University/
• Official presentation of Place for Future Project: aims, core concepts, activities, team members, Project’s partners; screening of a short documentary about the project created and directed by NBU students /October 30, 2008, New Bulgarian University/
• Meeting of the Water club for ecology, speculative fiction and self-awareness, the Human Library foundation and members of Place for Future – organized by the Water club for ecology, speculative fiction and self-awareness /April 25, 2009, Dobrich/
• Communication Strategy and Public Image of For the Nature Coalition and Place for Future Project – meeting-discussion in collaboration with the Department of Mass Communications at NBU, For the Nature Coalition and WWF Danube-Carpathian Programme /June 23, 2009, office of WWF Danube-Carpathian Programme/
• One Academic Year Later – meeting-recapitulation of Place for Future, with the participation of representatives of UNECO University Club, Forum Sofia, UNESCO, Harmonia Civic Group, For the Nature Coalition, Association for Development and Public Control of Student Hostels and Canteens SROKSOS, Citizens for Rila, students from Sofia University /July 6, 2009, Sofia University/

1. 2. Information dissemination via mailing lists and information bulletins on the Place for Future web-site (the Universities campaign), the For the Nature web-site, Bluelink

- see the Project’s web-site, Project’s forum, the NBU forum, the For the Nature Coalition site, Bluelink

- information about all project events has been disseminated via several mailing lists with a current total of ca. 800 individual subscribers and ca. 650 media contacts

- two brochures published /aimed at students and professors/

- radio interviews, broadcasts on TV channels, videos on YouTube

Activities aimed at involving the academic milieu

1. 3. Discussions of various hot issues and topics organized by the students and professors themselves with the participation of representatives of NGOs and civil initiatives. Both students and professors launch and implement actions supported and coordinated by the relevant University coordinator.

• A Place for Future short documentary directed and produced by NBU students Elena Koleva and Grigor Atanasov from the Cinema, Advertising and Show Business Department at NBU; screened at the Official presentation of Place for Future Project /October 30, 2008, New Bulgarian University/

• Involvement of NBU’s Student Council in organizing and logistically supporting Bulgaria – a Country with no Future or а Place for Future photo exhibition (see pt. 6 below)
• Water - screening of The Great Secret of Water, followed by a lecture by Prof. Vassil Simeonov /Sofia University/, a screening of the Place for Future documentary and a discussion, organized in collaboration with UNECO University Club /November 05, 2008, Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski/
• The Future of Studentski Grad – a public debate of problems, the current state of and future plans for urban development of the Student Campus area Studentski grad, organised by a students’ initiative committee, including the Association for Development and Public Control of Student Hostels and Canteens SROKSOS, Harmonia Civic Group and other students NGOs; attended by the Vice-minister of Health Stoyan Stoyanov /December 16, 2008, Seminar Hall of American University, Student Campus area Studentski grad, Sofia/
• Water 2 - screening of The Great Secret of Water ІІ, presentations by students and discussion of the issues of water resources and supply in Bulgaria, organized by UNECO University Club /December 17, 2008, Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski/
• Forest – seminar-discussion organized by UNECO University Club in collaboration with Sofia University and Association of Parks in Bulgaria /April 1, 2009, Sofia University/

The End of Petrol Is Not the End of the World – lecture and public discussion by Tommy Engel organized by the Energy Culture Society /April 2, 2009, Art Club, Sofia/

• The Future of Alternative Tourism in Bulgaria – seminar organized by the Bulgarian Association for Alternative Tourism BAAT in collaboration with NBU /April 14, 2009, office of Bulgarian Association for Alternative Tourism/
• Cloning and Stem Cells from a Legal and Religious Perspective – seminar-discussion organized by Alter-Nativa National Association and UNECO University Club /April 24, 2009, Sofia University/

Birds Never Die By Themselves – seminar-discussion organized by UNECO University Club in collaboration with Sofia University and the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds /April 29, 2009, Sofia University/

Civic Activism in Culture: Does a Literature Underground Exist? – literature reading, performance and discussion organized by Rambo 13 Group for cultural terrorism and verbal aggression in collaboration with the Red House Centre for Culture and Debate and New Bulgarian University /May 5, 2009, Red House Centre for Culture and Debate/

• The Underground Culture in Sofia in the 1980s and 1990s – seminar-discussion, as part of the “Bulgarian Cultural History – Contemporary Times” seminar /May 12, 2009, Sofia University/
• Ethics in Bulgarian Economy – conference organized by the Institute of Philosophical Research at the Bulgarian Academy of Science /June 12, 2009, University of National and World Economy, Sofia/

Day of the Sun – festival of solar energy, organized by the Energy Culture Society /June 22, 2009, John Atanassov Secondary School for Еlectronics, Sofia/

Activities aimed at creating a space for sharing and exchange of ideas and experience

1. 4. Organization and carrying out of inter-departmental and interdisciplinary thematic meetings, seminars and discussions on current hot issues

• Youth in the Green Movement – seminar with the participation of Project team members and students from partnering Departments at NBU – Mass Communications, Economics and Business Administration and Economics and Political Science /October 11, 2008, NBU/

• The BIG Little Choices – lecture by Kalin Nenov and Architect Martin Mikush and discussion with students from various departments at NBU /November 12, 2008, NBU/
• The BIG Little Compost - a workshop demonstrating the construction of a compost container by NBU students; organised and supervised by Martin Mikush, Yuliana Naskova and Kalin Nenov /November 14, 2008, back yard of NBU/
• Planting trees at the Dragoman Marsh, with the participation of students involved in Place for Future; organised and supervised by Georgi Stefanov and partnering NGOs – Balkani Wildlife Society and the Centre for Environmental Information and Education /December 06, 2008, Dragoman/
• My Vitosha - seminar-discussion about Vitosha Nature Park with the participation of partnering NGOs /Katerina Rakovska /WWF Danube-Carpathian Programme/, Aleksander Dunchev /Association of Parks in Bulgaria/, Nadezhda Maksimova /For the Nature Coalition/, UNECO University Club and students /December 11, 2008, Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski/
• Sofia – a City for People – a round table about civil participation in the Sofia Municipality Council and topical problems of Sofia, with the participation of representatives of civil initiatives related to various urban issues /December 18, 2008, NBU/

  My Rights in the European Union – public discussion organized in collaboration with UNECO University Club, Green Advocates, Harmonia Civic Group, Bulgarian Center for Not-for-Profit Law, Balkan Assist – association for partnership and citizens activities, Center of Women’s Studies and Policies, NC Future Now /January 22, 2009, Sofia University/

• Free Energy and Politics – Part I – screening of Free Energy: the Race to Zero Point, followed by discussion /January 22, 2009, NBU/
• Find the Differences and the Similarities Between the Amendments of the Sofia City Plan and the Sofia City Plan – Press-conference with participants from For the Nature Coalition, Community of Sofia Civil Associations and Citizens for Green Sofia initiative, For Knyazhevo Association, Committee for Protecting People’s Health and Life, Suhodol Committee, etc. /February 10, 2009, Bulgarian Telegraph Agency/
• Energy Culture Society – presentation as part of the Political Debates seminar /February 17, 2009, NBU/
• PR Tactics in the Activities of Environmental NGOs – meeting and discussion with students from the Public Relations Master Programme at the Department of Mass Communications, organized in collaboration with For the Nature Coalition, WWF Danube-Carpathian Programme and NBU /February 26, 2009, NBU/
• The draft for the Direct Civic Participation in Governance Act – Is Civic Participation Possible? – public discussion organized in collaboration with the Red House Centre for Culture and Debate, Balkan Assist – association for partnership and citizens activities, New Bulgarian University and the Bulgarian Center for Not-for-Profit Law /March 5, 2009, Red House Centre for Culture and Debate/
• Meeting of civil initiatives and civic groups from Sofia and representatives of For the Nature Coalition – organized in collaboration with members of For the Nature Coalition and Biodiversity Foundation, with the participation of representatives from For the Nature Coalition, Harmonia Civic Group, For Knyazhevo Association, Community of Sofia Civil Associations and Citizens for Green Sofia initiative /March 9, 2009, Bulgarian Biodiversity Foundation/
• Free Energy and Politics – Part II – meeting and discussion with Bulgarian scientists and researchers developing technologies for using non-conventional clean energy sources, organized in collaboration with the Bulgarian Academy of Science /March 23, 2009, NBU/
• Planting Trees Workshop – in collaboration with Faculty of Philosophy, Department of Cultural Studies, Faculty of Biology at Sofia University, Balkani Wildlife Society, WWF – Danube-Carpathian Programme, Centre for Environmental Information and Education (CEIE), Sofia University and NBU /April 10-12, 2009, the park at the Faculty of Philosophy, Department of Cultural Studies, New Bulgarian University, the Dragoman Marsh, the park by the National Library, Vitosha Mountain/
• Green School – seminar and student workshop on planting trees and perma-culture – part of the students traineeship at Sofia University, Faculty of Philosophy, Department of Cultural Studies, organized in collaboration with CVS-Bulgaria /April 11-12, 2009, the village of Vlahi in the Kresna Municipality/
• My Rights in the European Union – Part II – public discussion organized in collaboration with the Open Society Institute – Sofia, Green Advocates, Association for Development and Public Control of Student Hostels and Canteens SROKSOS, Bulgarian Helsinki Committee, Student Club of Political Scientists at SU /April 23, 2009, Sofia University/
• The Bulgarian Phoenix Bird in the Countryside – travelling seminar for students of Cultural Studies, organized in collaboration with CVS – Bulgaria, Balkani Wildlife Society, Sofia University /April 30-May 2, 2009, the village of Vlahi/
• The Memory of the Protest – screening of the documentary Statute of Limitations by Malina Petrova, followed by discussion; organized in collaboration with New Bulgarian University /April 28, 2009, NBU/
• Initiation of a Legislative Mechanism for Effective Advocacy of Public (Civic) Interest – seminar organized with the participation of representatives from Save Irakli Campaign, Veloevolution Association, Za Zemiata Environmental Association, Green Advocates, Harmonia Civic Group, Community of Sofia Civil Associations and Citizens for Green Sofia initiative, Vitosha Nature Park, Bluelink, Institute for Sustainable Development, Association of Parks in Bulgaria, etc. /May 28, 2009, office of WWF: Danube-Carpathian Programme/
• Church and Civil Society in Bulgaria – round table organized in collaboration with the Institute of Philosophical Studies at the Bulgarian Academy of Science, with the participation of representatives from UNESCO and Sofia University /June 4, 2009, Institute for Philosophical Research at BAS/
• The Environmental Policy of the Next Government – discussion with candidates from the major political parties, organized in collaboration with For the Nature Coalition, NBU and Association of Parks in Bulgaria /June 16, 2009, NBU/
• Strategies for Sustainable Tourism in Western Stara Planina – discussion in collaboration with Sofia University, NBU, Place fоr Future internal traineeship /June 29, 2009, Sofia University/

1. 5. Creation of A Place for Future web-site integrated into the www.forthenature.org web platform, along with an information bulletin and forum with two sections: 1) an academic virtual space for ideas and experience sharing and exchange; 2) a platform for referring citizens to NGO counseling experts and academic specialists; both forums are administered by students themselves

- see Project’s web-site, esp. the Diary category, and the integrated Place for Future module on www.forthenature.org; see subforum Information, Knowledge, Wisdom at the Project’s forum

1. 6. Organizing and promoting mobile exhibitions in Universities

Bulgaria – a Country with no Future or a Place for Future photo exhibition, in collaboration with NBU’s Student Council /October 30-November 7, 2008, Small Aula, NBU/

Activities aimed at encouraging the already existing students initiatives network

1. 7. Supporting civil and students’ initiatives and actions, incl. students’ workshops (atelies) in partnering Organizations (Universities and NGOs)

- see the events and activities listed in pt. 3

Will We Live Better after the Amendments of the Sofia City Plan? - press-conference organized by the Community of Sofia Civil Associations and Citizens for Green Sofia initiative /February 12, 2009, Bulgarian Telegraph Agency/

The Proposed Amendments of the Sofia City Plan and the Environmental Impact Assessment of These Amendments by the Sofia Municipality – public discussion organized by the Community of Sofia Civil Associations and Citizens for Green Sofia initiative /February 12, 2009, University of Architecture, Construction and Geodesy, Sofia/

Strategic meeting of Citizens for Rila – organized by Citizens for Rila and For the Nature Coalition, with participation of students from Veliko Tarnovo University /March 2, 2009, Nomads Hostel, Veliko Tarnovo/

The Earth Hour in Sofia – organized by the WWF Danube-Carpathian Programme /March 20-28, 2009, National Theater Square & NBU & Sofia University – events and workshops/

The Day of the Earth – exhibition and concert organized by Bulgarian Biodiversity Foundation and For the Nature Coalition /April 22, 2009, St. Alexander Nevski Square, Sofia/

1. 8. Encouraging of timely and effective students’ actions supporting the civil initiatives via funds from a designated Emergency Resource Fund

- see the events and activities listed in pt. 3

Planiniada for Vitosha – organized by For the Nature Coalition and clubs for winter sports /March 15, 2009, Vitosha/

1. 9. Compilation, publication and distribution of Place for Future: One Year Later (Sofia, September 2009, ISBN: 978-954-92486-1-6): a compendium describing the Project’s results and impact; printed on 100% recycled paper

Activities aimed at strengthening and enhancing civil initiatives’  capacity

1. 10. Securing experts’ support depending on various problems and specific needs: barristers’ office, drafting project proposals, experts statements, assessments, etc, regarding sustainable development plans as well as strategic vision and development plans, including urban design charette, with design proposals, presentations of sustainable architectural design, strategies for cultural and ecological tourism.

• Bulgarian Centre for Not-for-Profit Law - counseling on NGO law

1. 11. On-spot research of a current problematic issue and summarizing of findings

A survey measuring awareness about civil organizations and initiatives and civic culture among academic circles; some 200 quizzes collected, processed, analyzed and summarized

An online poll serving as an independent gauge of the pre-election attitudes of the Bulgarian public from April to July 2009

Activities aiming at sustainable development concepts and practices integration into curricula

Culture of the Future – Projects and Practices for Sustainable Development – a BA course at Sofia University, Department of Cultural Studies; director and chief lecturer of the Course: Petar Kanev, PhD in Philosophy. Within this course there were nine lectures held with different guest lecturers – experts in various spheres concerning topics such as: Cultural heritage and alternative tourism; The civic rights of Bulgarian university students; Civil solidarity; The culture of sustainable development as a virtual and media vision; The new science; Spontaneous civil initiatives; Civil participation in the Sofia Municipality Council; Global climate changes and policies for sustainable development.

Non-governmental Organizations and Management – a module within International Affairs and Comparative Politics Masters Programme at the Political Science Department, NBU /Building 2, NBU/; director and lecturer of the Module: Ass. Prof. Radosveta Krestanova. Within this module there was a lecture concerning the role of the For the Nature Coalition and civil initiatives as a factor in management of national environmental policies.

European Projects – a module within the Comparative Politics and International Affairs Masters Programme at Political Science Department, NBU /in various institutions and organizations involved in the implementation of EU Operational Programs’ projects/; director and lecturer of the Module: Ass. Prof. Radosveta Krestanova. Within this module, there were four lectures on the following topics: How to plan, write and submit a European Fund project proposal; Projects for development of Bulgarian regions; Review and implementation of European funds, projects and Framework Programmes for sustainable development; Participation of the Sofia Municipality in European projects for sustainable development.

Travelling seminar Belogradchik - Chiprovtsi – Varshets - Zhelen /May 15-18, 2009/

In collaboration with Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski, Faculty of Philosophy, Department of Cultural Studies, Chiprovtsi Municipality, Centre for Environmental Information and Education, New Bulgarian University. Ca. 40 students from NBU and SU took part in the seminar.

Place for Future summer traineeship at Chiprovtsi Municipality /July 12-17, 2009/. Implemented in collaboration with Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski, Faculty of Philosophy, Department of Cultural Studies, Students Council at SU, Chiprovtsi Municipality, Centre for Environmental Information and Education, New Bulgarian University and Trinoga Association. There were ca. 30 students from NBU and SU. The main goal was to design an alternative tourism strategy by an interdisciplinary team of students and professors, tailored to the characteristics of the selected area which is then to be integrated into the Strategic Plan for Regional Development of the Municipality.

Student internships in partnering NGO

• - Martin Valchev, a Cultural Studies student, did an internship at Bulgarian Biodiversity Foundation
• - Gabriela Petrova, Gergana Kosturkova, Violeta Krusteva – Cultural Studies students, did an internship at Shtastlivetsa Sofia Civil Association

Judging both from the results achieved during this one year and by the positive feedback received from our students and partners regarding the relevance of the issues addressed and the efficiency of the methodology used, the project’s objectives and activities seem to have adequately tackled the identified problem.

1. What are the main achievements of the project - short term, immediate results and long term? What is the change produced by your project at the level of the country/community/beneficiaries/other groups involved or focused by the project/public policies/legislation (as appropriate)?

Main achievements of the project:

Largely owing to the Emergency Resource Fund of the Place for Future project, we were able to support several major initiatives such as:

1. Foundation of the White Shore /Beliat Briag/ Civil Association in Balchik

2. Foundation of the Starling /Skoretz/ Student Club in the Faculty of Biology at Sofia University

3. Financial and logistic support for the Save Irakli Campaign

4. Successful integration of project activities into the curricula: Culture of the Future – Projects and Practices for Sustainable Development course at SU; a summer traineeship and the establishment of the Environmental Management Masters Programme at NBU.

5. Enhancing the interest and the active participation of students concerned with the problems of the environment, sustainable development

6. Ongoing negotiations with Vitosha Nature Park for implementing a joint traineeship in 2010

7. All outputs and practices developed during the project are shared with other similar projects.

8. The created intra- and inter-university groups of student volunteers continue to feed spontaneous activist initiatives with mobilized participants, ideas, projects and practices; the expanded university education promotes sustainable development principles and support for civil initiatives.

9. The established contacts and partnerships among the civil initiatives and Universities continue after the Project’s termination.

10. Lecturers, researchers, scientists, university administration and activists became more familiar with the principles and values of sustainable development and civil involvement, along with the outputs and practices developed during the campaign. They are now able to apply their new know-how adapting it to the specific requirements of their environment.

11. Student traineeships and internships at environmental NGO are likely to continue after the Project’s termination.

What is the change produced by your project at the level of the country/community/beneficiaries/other groups involved or focused by the project/public policies/legislation?

Enhancing the interest and active participation in various activities of students concerned with environmental issues and sustainable development

One of the drawbacks of Place for Future was the lack of funding for office space, as independent space is crucial for efficient work.

Another drawback was our failure to involve in our activities some of the partners we initially planned to work with – for example the Urban Planning Programme at the University of Architecture, Construction and Geodesy.

It became evident that sometimes it is easier to work and collaborate with students than with environmental activists and NGOs.

We often failed to effectively support and work with civil groups and initiatives at the municipality/local level. Some of our partners did not understand why we have to collaborate with and support such groups.

1. Short assessment of the problem/situation/need addressed by the project.

Assessment of the problem/situation addressed by the project:Тhis project has addressed a range of problems in the academic milieu, helping to establish among students a better understanding of the principles of sustainable development, such as an adequate awareness of key concepts and current issues and turning theory into practice. It has covered the problem of inadequate familiarity with civil initiatives’ effective practices and achievements, and the gap between university education and civic action. These problems concern not only academic education, but also the civil initiatives aiming at safeguarding the supremacy of law and preserving the environment.

The project has marked a new stage in the evolution of the existing organizations and projects related to sustainable education and science. Its unique feature has been the core idea to support activists in the university milieu, enabling them to grasp the need for carrying out various purposeful initiatives and events based on sustainable development concepts, and to propose, develop and organize them by themselves and with the support of their university colleagues, in close collaboration with the Project coordinators. Its goal has been the successful establishment of a common space and the development of mechanisms of effective interaction among academic circles, civil initiatives and environmental NGO for the promotion, mediation and support of civil initiatives according to the principles of sustainable development. It has aimed at encouraging and stimulating the network of already existing intra- and inter-university student groups or initiatives tackling various current environmental and sustainable development issues.

Assessment of the need addressed by the project:

The activists with an academic background (mainly students) lacked systematic information about local and national civil initiatives. They used to take part in various such initiatives spontaneously and chaotically, missing the opportunity for further commitment. They now follow them up and have the chance to track the public response. Moreover, lecturers themselves now have become more familiar with the civil movement scope and its driving forces.

1. List your initial objectives and activities and describe what has happened during the project (in addition to the activities, please also refer to publications, studies, video clips and other materials produced within the project and send them together with this report – if they were not previously sent with the interim report).

Initial Objectives:

1. - Informing the academic milieu of the existing civil initiatives for environmental conservation and sustainable development;
2. - Students’ and professors’ commitment to support these civil initiatives;
3. - Creating an academic space for ideas and experience sharing and exchange;
4. - Encouraging and stimulating the network of already existing active university and inter-university student groups; or initiatives tackling with various current environmental protection and sustainable development issues;
5. - Improving civil initiatives’ capacity via sharing effective practices and expert support by professors and NGO experts;
6. - Integration of the core Project’s sustainable development concepts and practices into the students’ curricula and professors’ schedules as internships and traineeships.

Activities aimed at informing and presenting the core concepts, ideas and activities of the Project

1. 1. Carrying out information meetings, lectures, presentations, video screenings in various Departments and Universities aimed at familiarizing the academic environment with the civil initiatives and the issues that triggered them

• Could we Save Bulgaria’s Nature? - debate with the participation of representatives of For the Nature Coalition and partnering Departments at New Bulgarian University /October 23, 2008, New Bulgarian University/

• Nature With no Borders - discussion with David Morand, head of France – Rila Association /October 28, 2008, New Bulgarian University/
• Official presentation of Place for Future Project: aims, core concepts, activities, team members, Project’s partners; screening of a short documentary about the project created and directed by NBU students /October 30, 2008, New Bulgarian University/
• Meeting of the Water club for ecology, speculative fiction and self-awareness, the Human Library foundation and members of Place for Future – organized by the Water club for ecology, speculative fiction and self-awareness /April 25, 2009, Dobrich/
• Communication Strategy and Public Image of For the Nature Coalition and Place for Future Project – meeting-discussion in collaboration with the Department of Mass Communications at NBU, For the Nature Coalition and WWF Danube-Carpathian Programme /June 23, 2009, office of WWF Danube-Carpathian Programme/
• One Academic Year Later – meeting-recapitulation of Place for Future, with the participation of representatives of UNECO University Club, Forum Sofia, UNESCO, Harmonia Civic Group, For the Nature Coalition, Association for Development and Public Control of Student Hostels and Canteens SROKSOS, Citizens for Rila, students from Sofia University /July 6, 2009, Sofia University/

1. 2. Information dissemination via mailing lists and information bulletins on the Place for Future web-site (the Universities campaign), the For the Nature web-site, Bluelink

- see the Project’s web-site, Project’s forum, the NBU forum, the For the Nature Coalition site, Bluelink

- information about all project events has been disseminated via several mailing lists with a current total of ca. 800 individual subscribers and ca. 650 media contacts

- two brochures published /aimed at students and professors/

- radio interviews, broadcasts on TV channels, videos on YouTube

Activities aimed at involving the academic milieu

1. 3. Discussions of various hot issues and topics organized by the students and professors themselves with the participation of representatives of NGOs and civil initiatives. Both students and professors launch and implement actions supported and coordinated by the relevant University coordinator.

• A Place for Future short documentary directed and produced by NBU students Elena Koleva and Grigor Atanasov from the Cinema, Advertising and Show Business Department at NBU; screened at the Official presentation of Place for Future Project /October 30, 2008, New Bulgarian University/

• Involvement of NBU’s Student Council in organizing and logistically supporting Bulgaria – a Country with no Future or а Place for Future photo exhibition (see pt. 6 below)
• Water - screening of The Great Secret of Water, followed by a lecture by Prof. Vassil Simeonov /Sofia University/, a screening of the Place for Future documentary and a discussion, organized in collaboration with UNECO University Club /November 05, 2008, Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski/
• The Future of Studentski Grad – a public debate of problems, the current state of and future plans for urban development of the Student Campus area Studentski grad, organised by a students’ initiative committee, including the Association for Development and Public Control of Student Hostels and Canteens SROKSOS, Harmonia Civic Group and other students NGOs; attended by the Vice-minister of Health Stoyan Stoyanov /December 16, 2008, Seminar Hall of American University, Student Campus area Studentski grad, Sofia/
• Water 2 - screening of The Great Secret of Water ІІ, presentations by students and discussion of the issues of water resources and supply in Bulgaria, organized by UNECO University Club /December 17, 2008, Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski/
• Forest – seminar-discussion organized by UNECO University Club in collaboration with Sofia University and Association of Parks in Bulgaria /April 1, 2009, Sofia University/

The End of Petrol Is Not the End of the World – lecture and public discussion by Tommy Engel organized by the Energy Culture Society /April 2, 2009, Art Club, Sofia/

• The Future of Alternative Tourism in Bulgaria – seminar organized by the Bulgarian Association for Alternative Tourism BAAT in collaboration with NBU /April 14, 2009, office of Bulgarian Association for Alternative Tourism/
• Cloning and Stem Cells from a Legal and Religious Perspective – seminar-discussion organized by Alter-Nativa National Association and UNECO University Club /April 24, 2009, Sofia University/

Birds Never Die By Themselves – seminar-discussion organized by UNECO University Club in collaboration with Sofia University and the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds /April 29, 2009, Sofia University/

Civic Activism in Culture: Does a Literature Underground Exist? – literature reading, performance and discussion organized by Rambo 13 Group for cultural terrorism and verbal aggression in collaboration with the Red House Centre for Culture and Debate and New Bulgarian University /May 5, 2009, Red House Centre for Culture and Debate/

• The Underground Culture in Sofia in the 1980s and 1990s – seminar-discussion, as part of the “Bulgarian Cultural History – Contemporary Times” seminar /May 12, 2009, Sofia University/
• Ethics in Bulgarian Economy – conference organized by the Institute of Philosophical Research at the Bulgarian Academy of Science /June 12, 2009, University of National and World Economy, Sofia/

Day of the Sun – festival of solar energy, organized by the Energy Culture Society /June 22, 2009, John Atanassov Secondary School for Еlectronics, Sofia/

Activities aimed at creating a space for sharing and exchange of ideas and experience

1. 4. Organization and carrying out of inter-departmental and interdisciplinary thematic meetings, seminars and discussions on current hot issues

• Youth in the Green Movement – seminar with the participation of Project team members and students from partnering Departments at NBU – Mass Communications, Economics and Business Administration and Economics and Political Science /October 11, 2008, NBU/

• The BIG Little Choices – lecture by Kalin Nenov and Architect Martin Mikush and discussion with students from various departments at NBU /November 12, 2008, NBU/
• The BIG Little Compost - a workshop demonstrating the construction of a compost container by NBU students; organised and supervised by Martin Mikush, Yuliana Naskova and Kalin Nenov /November 14, 2008, back yard of NBU/
• Planting trees at the Dragoman Marsh, with the participation of students involved in Place for Future; organised and supervised by Georgi Stefanov and partnering NGOs – Balkani Wildlife Society and the Centre for Environmental Information and Education /December 06, 2008, Dragoman/
• My Vitosha - seminar-discussion about Vitosha Nature Park with the participation of partnering NGOs /Katerina Rakovska /WWF Danube-Carpathian Programme/, Aleksander Dunchev /Association of Parks in Bulgaria/, Nadezhda Maksimova /For the Nature Coalition/, UNECO University Club and students /December 11, 2008, Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski/
• Sofia – a City for People – a round table about civil participation in the Sofia Municipality Council and topical problems of Sofia, with the participation of representatives of civil initiatives related to various urban issues /December 18, 2008, NBU/

  My Rights in the European Union – public discussion organized in collaboration with UNECO University Club, Green Advocates, Harmonia Civic Group, Bulgarian Center for Not-for-Profit Law, Balkan Assist – association for partnership and citizens activities, Center of Women’s Studies and Policies, NC Future Now /January 22, 2009, Sofia University/

• Free Energy and Politics – Part I – screening of Free Energy: the Race to Zero Point, followed by discussion /January 22, 2009, NBU/
• Find the Differences and the Similarities Between the Amendments of the Sofia City Plan and the Sofia City Plan – Press-conference with participants from For the Nature Coalition, Community of Sofia Civil Associations and Citizens for Green Sofia initiative, For Knyazhevo Association, Committee for Protecting People’s Health and Life, Suhodol Committee, etc. /February 10, 2009, Bulgarian Telegraph Agency/
• Energy Culture Society – presentation as part of the Political Debates seminar /February 17, 2009, NBU/
• PR Tactics in the Activities of Environmental NGOs – meeting and discussion with students from the Public Relations Master Programme at the Department of Mass Communications, organized in collaboration with For the Nature Coalition, WWF Danube-Carpathian Programme and NBU /February 26, 2009, NBU/
• The draft for the Direct Civic Participation in Governance Act – Is Civic Participation Possible? – public discussion organized in collaboration with the Red House Centre for Culture and Debate, Balkan Assist – association for partnership and citizens activities, New Bulgarian University and the Bulgarian Center for Not-for-Profit Law /March 5, 2009, Red House Centre for Culture and Debate/
• Meeting of civil initiatives and civic groups from Sofia and representatives of For the Nature Coalition – organized in collaboration with members of For the Nature Coalition and Biodiversity Foundation, with the participation of representatives from For the Nature Coalition, Harmonia Civic Group, For Knyazhevo Association, Community of Sofia Civil Associations and Citizens for Green Sofia initiative /March 9, 2009, Bulgarian Biodiversity Foundation/
• Free Energy and Politics – Part II – meeting and discussion with Bulgarian scientists and researchers developing technologies for using non-conventional clean energy sources, organized in collaboration with the Bulgarian Academy of Science /March 23, 2009, NBU/
• Planting Trees Workshop – in collaboration with Faculty of Philosophy, Department of Cultural Studies, Faculty of Biology at Sofia University, Balkani Wildlife Society, WWF – Danube-Carpathian Programme, Centre for Environmental Information and Education (CEIE), Sofia University and NBU /April 10-12, 2009, the park at the Faculty of Philosophy, Department of Cultural Studies, New Bulgarian University, the Dragoman Marsh, the park by the National Library, Vitosha Mountain/
• Green School – seminar and student workshop on planting trees and perma-culture – part of the students traineeship at Sofia University, Faculty of Philosophy, Department of Cultural Studies, organized in collaboration with CVS-Bulgaria /April 11-12, 2009, the village of Vlahi in the Kresna Municipality/
• My Rights in the European Union – Part II – public discussion organized in collaboration with the Open Society Institute – Sofia, Green Advocates, Association for Development and Public Control of Student Hostels and Canteens SROKSOS, Bulgarian Helsinki Committee, Student Club of Political Scientists at SU /April 23, 2009, Sofia University/
• The Bulgarian Phoenix Bird in the Countryside – travelling seminar for students of Cultural Studies, organized in collaboration with CVS – Bulgaria, Balkani Wildlife Society, Sofia University /April 30-May 2, 2009, the village of Vlahi/
• The Memory of the Protest – screening of the documentary Statute of Limitations by Malina Petrova, followed by discussion; organized in collaboration with New Bulgarian University /April 28, 2009, NBU/
• Initiation of a Legislative Mechanism for Effective Advocacy of Public (Civic) Interest – seminar organized with the participation of representatives from Save Irakli Campaign, Veloevolution Association, Za Zemiata Environmental Association, Green Advocates, Harmonia Civic Group, Community of Sofia Civil Associations and Citizens for Green Sofia initiative, Vitosha Nature Park, Bluelink, Institute for Sustainable Development, Association of Parks in Bulgaria, etc. /May 28, 2009, office of WWF: Danube-Carpathian Programme/
• Church and Civil Society in Bulgaria – round table organized in collaboration with the Institute of Philosophical Studies at the Bulgarian Academy of Science, with the participation of representatives from UNESCO and Sofia University /June 4, 2009, Institute for Philosophical Research at BAS/
• The Environmental Policy of the Next Government – discussion with candidates from the major political parties, organized in collaboration with For the Nature Coalition, NBU and Association of Parks in Bulgaria /June 16, 2009, NBU/
• Strategies for Sustainable Tourism in Western Stara Planina – discussion in collaboration with Sofia University, NBU, Place fоr Future internal traineeship /June 29, 2009, Sofia University/

1. 5. Creation of A Place for Future web-site integrated into the www.forthenature.org web platform, along with an information bulletin and forum with two sections: 1) an academic virtual space for ideas and experience sharing and exchange; 2) a platform for referring citizens to NGO counseling experts and academic specialists; both forums are administered by students themselves

- see Project’s web-site, esp. the Diary category, and the integrated Place for Future module on www.forthenature.org; see subforum Information, Knowledge, Wisdom at the Project’s forum

1. 6. Organizing and promoting mobile exhibitions in Universities

Bulgaria – a Country with no Future or a Place for Future photo exhibition, in collaboration with NBU’s Student Council /October 30-November 7, 2008, Small Aula, NBU/

Activities aimed at encouraging the already existing students initiatives network

1. 7. Supporting civil and students’ initiatives and actions, incl. students’ workshops (atelies) in partnering Organizations (Universities and NGOs)

- see the events and activities listed in pt. 3

Will We Live Better after the Amendments of the Sofia City Plan? - press-conference organized by the Community of Sofia Civil Associations and Citizens for Green Sofia initiative /February 12, 2009, Bulgarian Telegraph Agency/

The Proposed Amendments of the Sofia City Plan and the Environmental Impact Assessment of These Amendments by the Sofia Municipality – public discussion organized by the Community of Sofia Civil Associations and Citizens for Green Sofia initiative /February 12, 2009, University of Architecture, Construction and Geodesy, Sofia/

Strategic meeting of Citizens for Rila – organized by Citizens for Rila and For the Nature Coalition, with participation of students from Veliko Tarnovo University /March 2, 2009, Nomads Hostel, Veliko Tarnovo/

The Earth Hour in Sofia – organized by the WWF Danube-Carpathian Programme /March 20-28, 2009, National Theater Square & NBU & Sofia University – events and workshops/

The Day of the Earth – exhibition and concert organized by Bulgarian Biodiversity Foundation and For the Nature Coalition /April 22, 2009, St. Alexander Nevski Square, Sofia/

1. 8. Encouraging of timely and effective students’ actions supporting the civil initiatives via funds from a designated Emergency Resource Fund

- see the events and activities listed in pt. 3

Planiniada for Vitosha – organized by For the Nature Coalition and clubs for winter sports /March 15, 2009, Vitosha/

1. 9. Compilation, publication and distribution of Place for Future: One Year Later (Sofia, September 2009, ISBN: 978-954-92486-1-6): a compendium describing the Project’s results and impact; printed on 100% recycled paper

Activities aimed at strengthening and enhancing civil initiatives’  capacity

1. 10. Securing experts’ support depending on various problems and specific needs: barristers’ office, drafting project proposals, experts statements, assessments, etc, regarding sustainable development plans as well as strategic vision and development plans, including urban design charette, with design proposals, presentations of sustainable architectural design, strategies for cultural and ecological tourism.

• Bulgarian Centre for Not-for-Profit Law - counseling on NGO law

1. 11. On-spot research of a current problematic issue and summarizing of findings

A survey measuring awareness about civil organizations and initiatives and civic culture among academic circles; some 200 quizzes collected, processed, analyzed and summarized

An online poll serving as an independent gauge of the pre-election attitudes of the Bulgarian public from April to July 2009

Activities aiming at sustainable development concepts and practices integration into curricula

Culture of the Future – Projects and Practices for Sustainable Development – a BA course at Sofia University, Department of Cultural Studies; director and chief lecturer of the Course: Petar Kanev, PhD in Philosophy. Within this course there were nine lectures held with different guest lecturers – experts in various spheres concerning topics such as: Cultural heritage and alternative tourism; The civic rights of Bulgarian university students; Civil solidarity; The culture of sustainable development as a virtual and media vision; The new science; Spontaneous civil initiatives; Civil participation in the Sofia Municipality Council; Global climate changes and policies for sustainable development.

Non-governmental Organizations and Management – a module within International Affairs and Comparative Politics Masters Programme at the Political Science Department, NBU /Building 2, NBU/; director and lecturer of the Module: Ass. Prof. Radosveta Krestanova. Within this module there was a lecture concerning the role of the For the Nature Coalition and civil initiatives as a factor in management of national environmental policies.

European Projects – a module within the Comparative Politics and International Affairs Masters Programme at Political Science Department, NBU /in various institutions and organizations involved in the implementation of EU Operational Programs’ projects/; director and lecturer of the Module: Ass. Prof. Radosveta Krestanova. Within this module, there were four lectures on the following topics: How to plan, write and submit a European Fund project proposal; Projects for development of Bulgarian regions; Review and implementation of European funds, projects and Framework Programmes for sustainable development; Participation of the Sofia Municipality in European projects for sustainable development.

Travelling seminar Belogradchik - Chiprovtsi – Varshets - Zhelen /May 15-18, 2009/

In collaboration with Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski, Faculty of Philosophy, Department of Cultural Studies, Chiprovtsi Municipality, Centre for Environmental Information and Education, New Bulgarian University. Ca. 40 students from NBU and SU took part in the seminar.

Place for Future summer traineeship at Chiprovtsi Municipality /July 12-17, 2009/. Implemented in collaboration with Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski, Faculty of Philosophy, Department of Cultural Studies, Students Council at SU, Chiprovtsi Municipality, Centre for Environmental Information and Education, New Bulgarian University and Trinoga Association. There were ca. 30 students from NBU and SU. The main goal was to design an alternative tourism strategy by an interdisciplinary team of students and professors, tailored to the characteristics of the selected area which is then to be integrated into the Strategic Plan for Regional Development of the Municipality.

Student internships in partnering NGO

• - Martin Valchev, a Cultural Studies student, did an internship at Bulgarian Biodiversity Foundation
• - Gabriela Petrova, Gergana Kosturkova, Violeta Krusteva – Cultural Studies students, did an internship at Shtastlivetsa Sofia Civil Association

Judging both from the results achieved during this one year and by the positive feedback received from our students and partners regarding the relevance of the issues addressed and the efficiency of the methodology used, the project’s objectives and activities seem to have adequately tackled the identified problem.

1. What are the main achievements of the project - short term, immediate results and long term? What is the change produced by your project at the level of the country/community/beneficiaries/other groups involved or focused by the project/public policies/legislation (as appropriate)?

Main achievements of the project:

Largely owing to the Emergency Resource Fund of the Place for Future project, we were able to support several major initiatives such as:

1. Foundation of the White Shore /Beliat Briag/ Civil Association in Balchik

2. Foundation of the Starling /Skoretz/ Student Club in the Faculty of Biology at Sofia University

3. Financial and logistic support for the Save Irakli Campaign

4. Successful integration of project activities into the curricula: Culture of the Future – Projects and Practices for Sustainable Development course at SU; a summer traineeship and the establishment of the Environmental Management Masters Programme at NBU.

5. Enhancing the interest and the active participation of students concerned with the problems of the environment, sustainable development

6. Ongoing negotiations with Vitosha Nature Park for implementing a joint traineeship in 2010

7. All outputs and practices developed during the project are shared with other similar projects.

8. The created intra- and inter-university groups of student volunteers continue to feed spontaneous activist initiatives with mobilized participants, ideas, projects and practices; the expanded university education promotes sustainable development principles and support for civil initiatives.

9. The established contacts and partnerships among the civil initiatives and Universities continue after the Project’s termination.

10. Lecturers, researchers, scientists, university administration and activists became more familiar with the principles and values of sustainable development and civil involvement, along with the outputs and practices developed during the campaign. They are now able to apply their new know-how adapting it to the specific requirements of their environment.

11. Student traineeships and internships at environmental NGO are likely to continue after the Project’s termination.

What is the change produced by your project at the level of the country/community/beneficiaries/other groups involved or focused by the project/public policies/legislation?

Enhancing the interest and active participation in various activities of students concerned with environmental issues and sustainable development

One of the drawbacks of Place for Future was the lack of funding for office space, as independent space is crucial for efficient work.

Another drawback was our failure to involve in our activities some of the partners we initially planned to work with – for example the Urban Planning Programme at the University of Architecture, Construction and Geodesy.

It became evident that sometimes it is easier to work and collaborate with students than with environmental activists and NGOs.

We often failed to effectively support and work with civil groups and initiatives at the municipality/local level. Some of our partners did not understand why we have to collaborate with and support such groups.

1. Short assessment of the problem/situation/need addressed by the project.

Assessment of the problem/situation addressed by the project:Тhis project has addressed a range of problems in the academic milieu, helping to establish among students a better understanding of the principles of sustainable development, such as an adequate awareness of key concepts and current issues and turning theory into practice. It has covered the problem of inadequate familiarity with civil initiatives’ effective practices and achievements, and the gap between university education and civic action. These problems concern not only academic education, but also the civil initiatives aiming at safeguarding the supremacy of law and preserving the environment.

The project has marked a new stage in the evolution of the existing organizations and projects related to sustainable education and science. Its unique feature has been the core idea to support activists in the university milieu, enabling them to grasp the need for carrying out various purposeful initiatives and events based on sustainable development concepts, and to propose, develop and organize them by themselves and with the support of their university colleagues, in close collaboration with the Project coordinators. Its goal has been the successful establishment of a common space and the development of mechanisms of effective interaction among academic circles, civil initiatives and environmental NGO for the promotion, mediation and support of civil initiatives according to the principles of sustainable development. It has aimed at encouraging and stimulating the network of already existing intra- and inter-university student groups or initiatives tackling various current environmental and sustainable development issues.

Assessment of the need addressed by the project:

The activists with an academic background (mainly students) lacked systematic information about local and national civil initiatives. They used to take part in various such initiatives spontaneously and chaotically, missing the opportunity for further commitment. They now follow them up and have the chance to track the public response. Moreover, lecturers themselves now have become more familiar with the civil movement scope and its driving forces.

1. List your initial objectives and activities and describe what has happened during the project (in addition to the activities, please also refer to publications, studies, video clips and other materials produced within the project and send them together with this report – if they were not previously sent with the interim report).

Initial Objectives:

1. - Informing the academic milieu of the existing civil initiatives for environmental conservation and sustainable development;
2. - Students’ and professors’ commitment to support these civil initiatives;
3. - Creating an academic space for ideas and experience sharing and exchange;
4. - Encouraging and stimulating the network of already existing active university and inter-university student groups; or initiatives tackling with various current environmental protection and sustainable development issues;
5. - Improving civil initiatives’ capacity via sharing effective practices and expert support by professors and NGO experts;
6. - Integration of the core Project’s sustainable development concepts and practices into the students’ curricula and professors’ schedules as internships and traineeships.

Activities aimed at informing and presenting the core concepts, ideas and activities of the Project

1. 1. Carrying out information meetings, lectures, presentations, video screenings in various Departments and Universities aimed at familiarizing the academic environment with the civil initiatives and the issues that triggered them

• Could we Save Bulgaria’s Nature? - debate with the participation of representatives of For the Nature Coalition and partnering Departments at New Bulgarian University /October 23, 2008, New Bulgarian University/

• Nature With no Borders - discussion with David Morand, head of France – Rila Association /October 28, 2008, New Bulgarian University/
• Official presentation of Place for Future Project: aims, core concepts, activities, team members, Project’s partners; screening of a short documentary about the project created and directed by NBU students /October 30, 2008, New Bulgarian University/
• Meeting of the Water club for ecology, speculative fiction and self-awareness, the Human Library foundation and members of Place for Future – organized by the Water club for ecology, speculative fiction and self-awareness /April 25, 2009, Dobrich/
• Communication Strategy and Public Image of For the Nature Coalition and Place for Future Project – meeting-discussion in collaboration with the Department of Mass Communications at NBU, For the Nature Coalition and WWF Danube-Carpathian Programme /June 23, 2009, office of WWF Danube-Carpathian Programme/
• One Academic Year Later – meeting-recapitulation of Place for Future, with the participation of representatives of UNECO University Club, Forum Sofia, UNESCO, Harmonia Civic Group, For the Nature Coalition, Association for Development and Public Control of Student Hostels and Canteens SROKSOS, Citizens for Rila, students from Sofia University /July 6, 2009, Sofia University/

1. 2. Information dissemination via mailing lists and information bulletins on the Place for Future web-site (the Universities campaign), the For the Nature web-site, Bluelink

- see the Project’s web-site, Project’s forum, the NBU forum, the For the Nature Coalition site, Bluelink

- information about all project events has been disseminated via several mailing lists with a current total of ca. 800 individual subscribers and ca. 650 media contacts

- two brochures published /aimed at students and professors/

- radio interviews, broadcasts on TV channels, videos on YouTube

Activities aimed at involving the academic milieu

1. 3. Discussions of various hot issues and topics organized by the students and professors themselves with the participation of representatives of NGOs and civil initiatives. Both students and professors launch and implement actions supported and coordinated by the relevant University coordinator.

• A Place for Future short documentary directed and produced by NBU students Elena Koleva and Grigor Atanasov from the Cinema, Advertising and Show Business Department at NBU; screened at the Official presentation of Place for Future Project /October 30, 2008, New Bulgarian University/

• Involvement of NBU’s Student Council in organizing and logistically supporting Bulgaria – a Country with no Future or а Place for Future photo exhibition (see pt. 6 below)
• Water - screening of The Great Secret of Water, followed by a lecture by Prof. Vassil Simeonov /Sofia University/, a screening of the Place for Future documentary and a discussion, organized in collaboration with UNECO University Club /November 05, 2008, Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski/
• The Future of Studentski Grad – a public debate of problems, the current state of and future plans for urban development of the Student Campus area Studentski grad, organised by a students’ initiative committee, including the Association for Development and Public Control of Student Hostels and Canteens SROKSOS, Harmonia Civic Group and other students NGOs; attended by the Vice-minister of Health Stoyan Stoyanov /December 16, 2008, Seminar Hall of American University, Student Campus area Studentski grad, Sofia/
• Water 2 - screening of The Great Secret of Water ІІ, presentations by students and discussion of the issues of water resources and supply in Bulgaria, organized by UNECO University Club /December 17, 2008, Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski/
• Forest – seminar-discussion organized by UNECO University Club in collaboration with Sofia University and Association of Parks in Bulgaria /April 1, 2009, Sofia University/

The End of Petrol Is Not the End of the World – lecture and public discussion by Tommy Engel organized by the Energy Culture Society /April 2, 2009, Art Club, Sofia/

• The Future of Alternative Tourism in Bulgaria – seminar organized by the Bulgarian Association for Alternative Tourism BAAT in collaboration with NBU /April 14, 2009, office of Bulgarian Association for Alternative Tourism/
• Cloning and Stem Cells from a Legal and Religious Perspective – seminar-discussion organized by Alter-Nativa National Association and UNECO University Club /April 24, 2009, Sofia University/

Birds Never Die By Themselves – seminar-discussion organized by UNECO University Club in collaboration with Sofia University and the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds /April 29, 2009, Sofia University/

Civic Activism in Culture: Does a Literature Underground Exist? – literature reading, performance and discussion organized by Rambo 13 Group for cultural terrorism and verbal aggression in collaboration with the Red House Centre for Culture and Debate and New Bulgarian University /May 5, 2009, Red House Centre for Culture and Debate/

• The Underground Culture in Sofia in the 1980s and 1990s – seminar-discussion, as part of the “Bulgarian Cultural History – Contemporary Times” seminar /May 12, 2009, Sofia University/
• Ethics in Bulgarian Economy – conference organized by the Institute of Philosophical Research at the Bulgarian Academy of Science /June 12, 2009, University of National and World Economy, Sofia/

Day of the Sun – festival of solar energy, organized by the Energy Culture Society /June 22, 2009, John Atanassov Secondary School for Еlectronics, Sofia/

Activities aimed at creating a space for sharing and exchange of ideas and experience

1. 4. Organization and carrying out of inter-departmental and interdisciplinary thematic meetings, seminars and discussions on current hot issues

• Youth in the Green Movement – seminar with the participation of Project team members and students from partnering Departments at NBU – Mass Communications, Economics and Business Administration and Economics and Political Science /October 11, 2008, NBU/

• The BIG Little Choices – lecture by Kalin Nenov and Architect Martin Mikush and discussion with students from various departments at NBU /November 12, 2008, NBU/
• The BIG Little Compost - a workshop demonstrating the construction of a compost container by NBU students; organised and supervised by Martin Mikush, Yuliana Naskova and Kalin Nenov /November 14, 2008, back yard of NBU/
• Planting trees at the Dragoman Marsh, with the participation of students involved in Place for Future; organised and supervised by Georgi Stefanov and partnering NGOs – Balkani Wildlife Society and the Centre for Environmental Information and Education /December 06, 2008, Dragoman/
• My Vitosha - seminar-discussion about Vitosha Nature Park with the participation of partnering NGOs /Katerina Rakovska /WWF Danube-Carpathian Programme/, Aleksander Dunchev /Association of Parks in Bulgaria/, Nadezhda Maksimova /For the Nature Coalition/, UNECO University Club and students /December 11, 2008, Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski/
• Sofia – a City for People – a round table about civil participation in the Sofia Municipality Council and topical problems of Sofia, with the participation of representatives of civil initiatives related to various urban issues /December 18, 2008, NBU/

  My Rights in the European Union – public discussion organized in collaboration with UNECO University Club, Green Advocates, Harmonia Civic Group, Bulgarian Center for Not-for-Profit Law, Balkan Assist – association for partnership and citizens activities, Center of Women’s Studies and Policies, NC Future Now /January 22, 2009, Sofia University/

• Free Energy and Politics – Part I – screening of Free Energy: the Race to Zero Point, followed by discussion /January 22, 2009, NBU/
• Find the Differences and the Similarities Between the Amendments of the Sofia City Plan and the Sofia City Plan – Press-conference with participants from For the Nature Coalition, Community of Sofia Civil Associations and Citizens for Green Sofia initiative, For Knyazhevo Association, Committee for Protecting People’s Health and Life, Suhodol Committee, etc. /February 10, 2009, Bulgarian Telegraph Agency/
• Energy Culture Society – presentation as part of the Political Debates seminar /February 17, 2009, NBU/
• PR Tactics in the Activities of Environmental NGOs – meeting and discussion with students from the Public Relations Master Programme at the Department of Mass Communications, organized in collaboration with For the Nature Coalition, WWF Danube-Carpathian Programme and NBU /February 26, 2009, NBU/
• The draft for the Direct Civic Participation in Governance Act – Is Civic Participation Possible? – public discussion organized in collaboration with the Red House Centre for Culture and Debate, Balkan Assist – association for partnership and citizens activities, New Bulgarian University and the Bulgarian Center for Not-for-Profit Law /March 5, 2009, Red House Centre for Culture and Debate/
• Meeting of civil initiatives and civic groups from Sofia and representatives of For the Nature Coalition – organized in collaboration with members of For the Nature Coalition and Biodiversity Foundation, with the participation of representatives from For the Nature Coalition, Harmonia Civic Group, For Knyazhevo Association, Community of Sofia Civil Associations and Citizens for Green Sofia initiative /March 9, 2009, Bulgarian Biodiversity Foundation/
• Free Energy and Politics – Part II – meeting and discussion with Bulgarian scientists and researchers developing technologies for using non-conventional clean energy sources, organized in collaboration with the Bulgarian Academy of Science /March 23, 2009, NBU/
• Planting Trees Workshop – in collaboration with Faculty of Philosophy, Department of Cultural Studies, Faculty of Biology at Sofia University, Balkani Wildlife Society, WWF – Danube-Carpathian Programme, Centre for Environmental Information and Education (CEIE), Sofia University and NBU /April 10-12, 2009, the park at the Faculty of Philosophy, Department of Cultural Studies, New Bulgarian University, the Dragoman Marsh, the park by the National Library, Vitosha Mountain/
• Green School – seminar and student workshop on planting trees and perma-culture – part of the students traineeship at Sofia University, Faculty of Philosophy, Department of Cultural Studies, organized in collaboration with CVS-Bulgaria /April 11-12, 2009, the village of Vlahi in the Kresna Municipality/
• My Rights in the European Union – Part II – public discussion organized in collaboration with the Open Society Institute – Sofia, Green Advocates, Association for Development and Public Control of Student Hostels and Canteens SROKSOS, Bulgarian Helsinki Committee, Student Club of Political Scientists at SU /April 23, 2009, Sofia University/
• The Bulgarian Phoenix Bird in the Countryside – travelling seminar for students of Cultural Studies, organized in collaboration with CVS – Bulgaria, Balkani Wildlife Society, Sofia University /April 30-May 2, 2009, the village of Vlahi/
• The Memory of the Protest – screening of the documentary Statute of Limitations by Malina Petrova, followed by discussion; organized in collaboration with New Bulgarian University /April 28, 2009, NBU/
• Initiation of a Legislative Mechanism for Effective Advocacy of Public (Civic) Interest – seminar organized with the participation of representatives from Save Irakli Campaign, Veloevolution Association, Za Zemiata Environmental Association, Green Advocates, Harmonia Civic Group, Community of Sofia Civil Associations and Citizens for Green Sofia initiative, Vitosha Nature Park, Bluelink, Institute for Sustainable Development, Association of Parks in Bulgaria, etc. /May 28, 2009, office of WWF: Danube-Carpathian Programme/
• Church and Civil Society in Bulgaria – round table organized in collaboration with the Institute of Philosophical Studies at the Bulgarian Academy of Science, with the participation of representatives from UNESCO and Sofia University /June 4, 2009, Institute for Philosophical Research at BAS/
• The Environmental Policy of the Next Government – discussion with candidates from the major political parties, organized in collaboration with For the Nature Coalition, NBU and Association of Parks in Bulgaria /June 16, 2009, NBU/
• Strategies for Sustainable Tourism in Western Stara Planina – discussion in collaboration with Sofia University, NBU, Place fоr Future internal traineeship /June 29, 2009, Sofia University/

1. 5. Creation of A Place for Future web-site integrated into the www.forthenature.org web platform, along with an information bulletin and forum with two sections: 1) an academic virtual space for ideas and experience sharing and exchange; 2) a platform for referring citizens to NGO counseling experts and academic specialists; both forums are administered by students themselves

- see Project’s web-site, esp. the Diary category, and the integrated Place for Future module on www.forthenature.org; see subforum Information, Knowledge, Wisdom at the Project’s forum

1. 6. Organizing and promoting mobile exhibitions in Universities

Bulgaria – a Country with no Future or a Place for Future photo exhibition, in collaboration with NBU’s Student Council /October 30-November 7, 2008, Small Aula, NBU/

Activities aimed at encouraging the already existing students initiatives network

1. 7. Supporting civil and students’ initiatives and actions, incl. students’ workshops (atelies) in partnering Organizations (Universities and NGOs)

- see the events and activities listed in pt. 3

Will We Live Better after the Amendments of the Sofia City Plan? - press-conference organized by the Community of Sofia Civil Associations and Citizens for Green Sofia initiative /February 12, 2009, Bulgarian Telegraph Agency/

The Proposed Amendments of the Sofia City Plan and the Environmental Impact Assessment of These Amendments by the Sofia Municipality – public discussion organized by the Community of Sofia Civil Associations and Citizens for Green Sofia initiative /February 12, 2009, University of Architecture, Construction and Geodesy, Sofia/

Strategic meeting of Citizens for Rila – organized by Citizens for Rila and For the Nature Coalition, with participation of students from Veliko Tarnovo University /March 2, 2009, Nomads Hostel, Veliko Tarnovo/

The Earth Hour in Sofia – organized by the WWF Danube-Carpathian Programme /March 20-28, 2009, National Theater Square & NBU & Sofia University – events and workshops/

The Day of the Earth – exhibition and concert organized by Bulgarian Biodiversity Foundation and For the Nature Coalition /April 22, 2009, St. Alexander Nevski Square, Sofia/

1. 8. Encouraging of timely and effective students’ actions supporting the civil initiatives via funds from a designated Emergency Resource Fund

- see the events and activities listed in pt. 3

Planiniada for Vitosha – organized by For the Nature Coalition and clubs for winter sports /March 15, 2009, Vitosha/

1. 9. Compilation, publication and distribution of Place for Future: One Year Later (Sofia, September 2009, ISBN: 978-954-92486-1-6): a compendium describing the Project’s results and impact; printed on 100% recycled paper

Activities aimed at strengthening and enhancing civil initiatives’  capacity

1. 10. Securing experts’ support depending on various problems and specific needs: barristers’ office, drafting project proposals, experts statements, assessments, etc, regarding sustainable development plans as well as strategic vision and development plans, including urban design charette, with design proposals, presentations of sustainable architectural design, strategies for cultural and ecological tourism.

• Bulgarian Centre for Not-for-Profit Law - counseling on NGO law

1. 11. On-spot research of a current problematic issue and summarizing of findings

A survey measuring awareness about civil organizations and initiatives and civic culture among academic circles; some 200 quizzes collected, processed, analyzed and summarized

An online poll serving as an independent gauge of the pre-election attitudes of the Bulgarian public from April to July 2009

Activities aiming at sustainable development concepts and practices integration into curricula

Culture of the Future – Projects and Practices for Sustainable Development – a BA course at Sofia University, Department of Cultural Studies; director and chief lecturer of the Course: Petar Kanev, PhD in Philosophy. Within this course there were nine lectures held with different guest lecturers – experts in various spheres concerning topics such as: Cultural heritage and alternative tourism; The civic rights of Bulgarian university students; Civil solidarity; The culture of sustainable development as a virtual and media vision; The new science; Spontaneous civil initiatives; Civil participation in the Sofia Municipality Council; Global climate changes and policies for sustainable development.

Non-governmental Organizations and Management – a module within International Affairs and Comparative Politics Masters Programme at the Political Science Department, NBU /Building 2, NBU/; director and lecturer of the Module: Ass. Prof. Radosveta Krestanova. Within this module there was a lecture concerning the role of the For the Nature Coalition and civil initiatives as a factor in management of national environmental policies.

European Projects – a module within the Comparative Politics and International Affairs Masters Programme at Political Science Department, NBU /in various institutions and organizations involved in the implementation of EU Operational Programs’ projects/; director and lecturer of the Module: Ass. Prof. Radosveta Krestanova. Within this module, there were four lectures on the following topics: How to plan, write and submit a European Fund project proposal; Projects for development of Bulgarian regions; Review and implementation of European funds, projects and Framework Programmes for sustainable development; Participation of the Sofia Municipality in European projects for sustainable development.

Travelling seminar Belogradchik - Chiprovtsi – Varshets - Zhelen /May 15-18, 2009/

In collaboration with Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski, Faculty of Philosophy, Department of Cultural Studies, Chiprovtsi Municipality, Centre for Environmental Information and Education, New Bulgarian University. Ca. 40 students from NBU and SU took part in the seminar.

Place for Future summer traineeship at Chiprovtsi Municipality /July 12-17, 2009/. Implemented in collaboration with Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski, Faculty of Philosophy, Department of Cultural Studies, Students Council at SU, Chiprovtsi Municipality, Centre for Environmental Information and Education, New Bulgarian University and Trinoga Association. There were ca. 30 students from NBU and SU. The main goal was to design an alternative tourism strategy by an interdisciplinary team of students and professors, tailored to the characteristics of the selected area which is then to be integrated into the Strategic Plan for Regional Development of the Municipality.

Student internships in partnering NGO

• - Martin Valchev, a Cultural Studies student, did an internship at Bulgarian Biodiversity Foundation
• - Gabriela Petrova, Gergana Kosturkova, Violeta Krusteva – Cultural Studies students, did an internship at Shtastlivetsa Sofia Civil Association

Judging both from the results achieved during this one year and by the positive feedback received from our students and partners regarding the relevance of the issues addressed and the efficiency of the methodology used, the project’s objectives and activities seem to have adequately tackled the identified problem.

1. What are the main achievements of the project - short term, immediate results and long term? What is the change produced by your project at the level of the country/community/beneficiaries/other groups involved or focused by the project/public policies/legislation (as appropriate)?

Main achievements of the project:

Largely owing to the Emergency Resource Fund of the Place for Future project, we were able to support several major initiatives such as:

1. Foundation of the White Shore /Beliat Briag/ Civil Association in Balchik

2. Foundation of the Starling /Skoretz/ Student Club in the Faculty of Biology at Sofia University

3. Financial and logistic support for the Save Irakli Campaign

4. Successful integration of project activities into the curricula: Culture of the Future – Projects and Practices for Sustainable Development course at SU; a summer traineeship and the establishment of the Environmental Management Masters Programme at NBU.

5. Enhancing the interest and the active participation of students concerned with the problems of the environment, sustainable development

6. Ongoing negotiations with Vitosha Nature Park for implementing a joint traineeship in 2010

7. All outputs and practices developed during the project are shared with other similar projects.

8. The created intra- and inter-university groups of student volunteers continue to feed spontaneous activist initiatives with mobilized participants, ideas, projects and practices; the expanded university education promotes sustainable development principles and support for civil initiatives.

9. The established contacts and partnerships among the civil initiatives and Universities continue after the Project’s termination.

10. Lecturers, researchers, scientists, university administration and activists became more familiar with the principles and values of sustainable development and civil involvement, along with the outputs and practices developed during the campaign. They are now able to apply their new know-how adapting it to the specific requirements of their environment.

11. Student traineeships and internships at environmental NGO are likely to continue after the Project’s termination.

What is the change produced by your project at the level of the country/community/beneficiaries/other groups involved or focused by the project/public policies/legislation?

Enhancing the interest and active participation in various activities of students concerned with environmental issues and sustainable development

One of the drawbacks of Place for Future was the lack of funding for office space, as independent space is crucial for efficient work.

Another drawback was our failure to involve in our activities some of the partners we initially planned to work with – for example the Urban Planning Programme at the University of Architecture, Construction and Geodesy.

It became evident that sometimes it is easier to work and collaborate with students than with environmental activists and NGOs.

We often failed to effectively support and work with civil groups and initiatives at the municipality/local level. Some of our partners did not understand why we have to collaborate with and support such groups.