On 10.04.2024, the last of the three planned initiatives to reduce pollution from terrestrial sources of the marine environment took place. The initiative is part of the activities under project BGENVIRONMENT-2.003-0006 "Reduction of marine waste from terrestrial sources in a target water area on the territory of the municipality of Pomorie in one with an educated and informed society regarding the pollution of sea waters", financed under the "Environmental Protection" Program and climate change" of the Financial Mechanism of the European Economic Area 2014-2021, which the Municipality of Pomorie implements, in partnership with the Local Fishery Initiative Group of Pomorie and International Development Norway AS.

The main objective of the project proposal is the implementation in the target water area of the project of 3 initiatives to reduce the amount of waste in the marine environment from terrestrial sources and on this basis, the development and implementation of 2 educational campaigns and 1 national campaign to raise awareness regarding pollution of sea waters.
Initiatives to reduce land-based pollution of the marine environment target wastes that have the ability to float to the surface of the water.
Through the third initiative to reduce the amount of waste in the marine environment from terrestrial sources, the target location - the Aheloy River - was cleaned using high-tech water drones purchased under the project. 1 town and 3 villages are located along the river Aheloy, including the village of Draganovo in the municipality. Burgas; the village of Medovo, the village of Alexandrovo and the town of Aheloy in the municipality. Pomorie, generating waste from terrestrial sources, taken down the river to the Black Sea.
The first two initiatives were implemented in the respective target locations of the project:
- Pomorie Fishing Port and Passenger Port;
- Lake Pomorie - a natural coastal lagoon located north of the city of Pomorie.
Through the special high-tech water drones purchased for the purpose and put into operation, the periodic implementation of initiatives in the target water area on the territory of the Pomorie municipality will continue in the future, to collect waste that has the ability to float on the surface of the water, as well as foreign and harmful vegetation .
The drones have a number of sensors for monitoring water quality, and this feature is of particular importance given the fact that the polluted marine environment, on the one hand, leads to a decrease in the population of marine species inhabiting the Black Sea, and on the other, to destruction of the natural environment of the protected species of Lake Pomorie. The high degree of pollution is also the reason for the decrease in the attractiveness of the region, whose structure-determining economic branch is tourism.
The implementation of the project favors revealing the potential of the territory through the integrated implementation of activities aimed at reducing marine waste.
The innovative technology introduced to reduce pollution from terrestrial sources of the marine environment could also be successfully used for educational purposes, by including children and students in future initiatives with high-tech water drones. Thus, in an attractive and interesting way, the attention and commitment of children and students will be attracted to the topic of environmental pollution and the need to limit waste.
The formation of an educated future generation, with an active civic position on socially significant problems, including the increasingly priority problem of environmental protection and climate change, is extremely important, given the natural features and strategic location of the municipality of Pomorie, giving it its place among the municipalities in Bulgaria with the greatest and richest biodiversity.
The project is implemented in partnership with an organization from the donor countries - International Development Norway AS, which has expertise in the implementation of projects in the field of circular economy, environmental protection, technology and sustainable development.
The experts from International Development Norway AS note that during the implementation of the joint project, they witnessed the scale, dedication and applied innovations to reduce waste from terrestrial sources in a target water area on the territory of Pomorie municipality. The achieved results of the project are a testament to what can be achieved through joint efforts and a shared vision for a cleaner and more sustainable future. The project could be defined as a catalyst for change as it implements new and efficient ways to collect plastic and other types of waste from the water surface.
Limiting the pollution of the world's oceans is a global challenge. Significant steps towards overcoming it could be made by applying innovative thinking and introducing new technologies. This also determines the significance of the realized partnership project.
The evaluation of the partners from International Development Norway AS defines the introduction and successful operation of the water drones for the collection of surface waste as a significant achievement. This tool will also serve as an example to other communities around the world of applied innovation in action.
According to the Norwegian partners, the exchange of experience and ideas is the basis of growth and development. They express confidence that the information exchanged, good practices and the fruitful cooperation achieved within the framework of the project will give rise to further joint actions to build on the progress achieved. The unification of common goals allows there to be no limit in achieving a positive impact on the environment and society.