News

The Agricultural University conducted training on the topic “Environmentally friendly activities in protected areas of NATURA 2000 and Agroecosystems“

Project partner Agricultural University of Plovdiv (AUP) organised a three-day training course on “Environmentally Friendly Activities in NATURA 2000 Protected Areas and Agroecosystems“, bringing together more than 60 farmers and agricultural professionals from across Bulgaria. Held from 14 to 16 June 2026, the initiative formed part of the project “Professional Training and Acquisition of Knowledge by Agricultural Producers“, funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) under Bulgaria’s Strategic Plan for Agriculture and Rural Development (2023–2027).

The training reflects AUP’s long-standing commitment to strengthening knowledge transfer and supporting the transition towards more sustainable farming systems—an objective closely aligned with the goals of Crop-MATCHING, where the university contributes to building and sharing knowledge on sustainable crop-matching practices for small-scale farms.

Supporting knowledge transfer for sustainable agriculture

Led by Dr Gradimir Gradev, together with experts from the Faculty of Plant Protection and Agroecology, the 18-hour programme explored key topics related to sustainable land management, biodiversity conservation and the implementation of environmentally friendly farming practices within NATURA 2000 protected areas.

Participants also learned about the ecosystem services provided by protected bird species in agricultural landscapes, including the lesser kestrel and the bearded vulture, while successful examples from the Green Balkans LIFE projects illustrated how nature conservation and agricultural production can be effectively integrated.

Building skills for the next generation of resilient farming

The training attracted farmers and agricultural workers from several Bulgarian regions, creating an opportunity to exchange experiences and discuss practical solutions for combining agricultural productivity with environmental protection. The high level of participation and active discussions reflected the growing interest among producers in adopting more sustainable farming practices.

Upon completing the course, all participants received certificates recognising the knowledge and skills acquired during the training. Through initiatives such as this, the Agricultural University of Plovdiv continues to strengthen the link between scientific research and agricultural practice, supporting the uptake of innovative and sustainable approaches that contribute to more resilient farming systems across Europe.

https://au-plovdiv.bg/agroecology