Bulgarian Society for Protection of Birds (BSPB)

The Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds (BSPB) is one of the largest national membership NGOs that has been working for over 37 years to preserve Bulgaria’s wild birds and their habitats for the benefit of the people. The BSPB has 14 branches and local groups, operates two Nature Conservation Centers, and four regional offices the work of which focuses on implementing the concept of the Important Bird Areas and establishing a functionally connected network of SPAs — cornerstone of the European Natura 2000 network. The BSPB is the sole national Bulgarian partner of BirdLife International. An important part of BSPB’s work is dedicated to conserving threatened species such as Egyptian vulture, Griffon vulture, Cinereous vulture, Imperial eagle, Saker falcon, Red-breasted goose, White-headed duck, and Dalmatian pelican, through securing long-term protection to their habitats by implementing direct conservation measures and encouraging sustainable development.

Rewilding Rhodopes

Rewilding Rhodopes Foundation is a Bulgarian Foundation, aiming at the greener future for the Rhodopes. The main objective is to develop sustainable initiatives which promote and combine nature conservation, green business and education. Rewilding Rhodopes works for the promotion of the natural grazing, rewilding, and restoration of the essential ecological processes in the Rhodopes. Short term initiatives emphasize the key role for natural grazing and reintroduction of native, wild herbivores. The unique biodiversity of the Rhodopes must remain for the future generations, and raising awareness and involvement of local people has the highest priority. Restoration and sustainable conservation of the wildlife of Rhodopes provides a basis for development of a greener rewilding economy in the region.

Natural Environment and Climate Change Agency (NECCA)

The Natural Environment and Climate Change Agency (NECCA) is a newly established public body governed by private law, operating under the supervision of the Hellenic Ministry of Environment and Energy. It is the sole successor of the National Centre of Environment and Sustainable Development (NCESD) and the former Management Bodies of Protected Areas. NECCA’s mission is the implementation of national environmental policy via the management and governance of protected areas in Greece, biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation and the promotion of sustainable development.

Vulture conservation foundation (VCF)

The VCF is an international foundation committed to the conservation of European vultures. The VCF has extensive experience in captive breeding, reintroduction and protection of vultures in their natural habitats. Thanks to extensive conservation efforts, some vulture species have reached a favourable population status in Europe. Nevertheless, threats such as illegal poisoning, limited food availability and collisions (in wind farms and power lines) and electrocution (in electricity pylons) put the recovery currently observed in some populations at risk.

CALLISTO Wildlife and Nature Conservation Society

“CALLISTO, Wildlife and Nature Conservation Society” is an Environmental NGO with extensive experience in the study, conservation, and management of large carnivores in Greece, South Europe, and the Balkans. The NGO also supports the establishment and operation of Protected Areas and Ecological Networks to preserve biodiversity and the natural and cultural heritage. The NGO has successfully implemented more than 80 environmental projects, most of which had either concrete wildlife conservation or sustainable development and awareness raising components, as well as an international and transboundary character.

Society for the Protection of the Biodiversity of Thrace (SPBT)

The Society for the Protection of Biodiversity of Thrace (SPBT) is an environmental organization of local character that acts in the region of Thrace. Its main purpose is the conservation of the natural environment of Thrace by monitoring birds of prey as key indicators of biodiversity, and at the same time by promoting projects for the harmonious coexistence of human and nature. More specifically, the SPBT aims at the protection of birdlife rare species and the conservation of their natural habitat. This is achieved through projects that reduce farming damages caused by carnivores and in turn the illegal use of poison baits and the degradation of the natural habitat of these birds of prey due to poor administration or energy infrastructure that is found responsible for their killing through collision or electrocution. In addition to that, the SPBT strives to boost the local farming economy through innovative projects to prevent rural depopulation by young people and the preservation of the natural and cultural heritage of Thrace as key factors for social and economic growth. The SPBT is a civil non-profit organization formed in September 2020. It is based in the village of Dadia, part of Soufli municipality in the regional unit of Evros, NE Greece.

Ministry of Environment and Energy (MEEN)

The Ministry of the Environment and Energy (MEEN) is a governmental department of Greece responsible for environmental and energy policy. The regional State Forestry Services are the bodies for the execution and implementation of directions and in general of the forest policy planned by the Central Service (Secretary General of Forests in MEEN), but also for the implementation of the local programs, studies, and constructions. The regional Didymoteicho and Stavroupolis Forestry Services are the operational units of the MEEN that are involved in the implementation of the tasks in the project sites GR1110010 and GR1120004. They are staffed with scientists and forest law enforcement officers.

Grupo de Rehabilitación de la Fauna Autóctona y su Hábitat (GREFA)

GREFA is an NGO founded in 1984 dedicated to nature conservation. Its operational center is the Wildlife Hospital, from which different local, national and international projects are carried out, alone or through agreements with other governmental and non-governmental organizations. In addition, at its headquarters in Majadahonda (Madrid) it has a Captive Breeding Center for different protected species, including the black vulture; and an Environmental Education Center with thousands of visitors every year. Members of the IUCN since 2014. Declared as a Public Utility Entity in Spain since April 2011. GREFA been working for years within the Monachus Project, recovering extinct cinereous vulture colonies in different parts of Spain and Europe, including the Rhodopes Mountains. Creating corridors for the communication of the European populations by means of studied methods of reintroduction.

GOUNARIS N. — KONTOS K. O.E. (HOMEOTECH)

HOMEOTECH is a private environmental management company based in Thessaloniki, Greece, operating since 2001. It offers consulting services to public and private entities in environmental and forestry engineering, as well as natural resource management. With over 15 years of experience in national and EU projects, HOMEOTECH focuses on innovation and providing high-quality services. The company has extensive project management experience, participating in EU LIFE and Horizon 2020 programs, where it takes roles in management, tool development, and scientific support. Through these projects, HOMEOTECH contributes to sustainable development and natural resource protection.

Democritus University of Thrace (DUTH)

Democritus University of Thrace is the first Greek regional multi-campus university. The university ranks among the largest in Greece, with around 42,000 active students across 10 faculties and 28 departments. It is an academic institution engaged in teaching and research, having successfully implemented numerous projects related to environmental protection and sustainable development, such as LIFE NATURE, EU DG-Research, INTERREG IIIB, INTERREG IIIA, and INTERREG Black Sea. Its academic staff has conducted research on wildlife-related issues through the Laboratory of Wildlife Ecology and Management at the Department of Forestry and Natural Environment. The focus has been on birds, mammals, their habitats, and the human dimensions of wildlife management.

2nd Hunting Club of Orestiada (2ND HCO)

The 2nd Hunting Club of Orestiada (2ND HCO) is the association of hunters in Orestiada region in Greece, established in 1977, and it is recognized and cooperating with the Ministry of Environment and Energy. Its main objective is the training of the hunters, the management of the game and the protection of the environment. The 2ND HCO has an institutional role recognized by law and monitors developments related to the environment and hunting (legal framework, scientific studies, monitoring of populations of game and non-game species, etc.) and participates in shaping the local game policy. As an organization, whose main objective is the improvement and protection of the environment, 2ND HCO implements specific actions targeting the natural environment of the Orestiada region for the conservation of wildlife, nature protection, habitat management for the benefit of biodiversity and game species in a sustainable manner under the supervision of the Forest Service.

Hunting Club of Stavroupoli (HCS)

The Hunting Club of Stavroupoli (HCS) is the association of hunters in Stavroupoli region in Greece, established in 1977, and it is recognized and cooperating with the Ministry of Environment and Energy and based in Stavroupoli. Its main objective is the training of the hunters, the management of the game and the protection of the environment. The HCS has an institutional role recognized by law and monitors developments related to the environment and hunting (legal framework, scientific studies, monitoring of populations of game and non-game species, etc.) and participates in shaping the local game policy. As an organization, whose main objective is the improvement and protection of the environment, HCS implements specific actions targeting the natural environment of the Stavroupoli region for the conservation of wildlife, nature protection, habitat management for the benefit of biodiversity and game species in a sustainable manner under the supervision of the Forest Service.

European Union’s LIFE Programme

This project is co-financed by the European Union’s LIFE Programme, which supports innovative solutions to environmental and climate challenges. The LIFE Programme, managed by CINEA, is the EU’s flagship funding instrument dedicated to the environment and climate action, promoting sustainable development across member states.

Rewilding Europe

Rewilding Europe wants to make Europe a wilder place, with much more space for wildlife, wilderness and natural processes. Bringing back the variety of life for us all to enjoy and exploring new ways for people to earn a fair living from the wild. Rewilding Europe presents a vision in which wild nature is recognised as an indispensable part of Europe’s natural and cultural heritage and a necessary building block for a modern, prosperous and healthy society. We aim for an approach to nature conservation in Europe, where the concept of wild nature and natural processes is accepted as one of the main management principles. Rewilding Europe seeks to inspire a broad movement to shape a wilder version of our continent.