A team of Bulgarian scientists and researchers is working on a project for the development of the mountain regions in the country through new policies.

The project is financed by Norwegian grants under the European Economic Area financial mechanism/ Norwegian financial mechanism.

The team includes geographers, environmentalists, and experts on regional policies from the University of Sofia and the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, BAS, who met recently with representatives of the informal academic board of the Center for Volunteer, Academic, Scientific and Educational Tourism (DANO), and representatives of the Norwegian Embassy in Sofia, led by Ambassador Tove Skarstein.

The meeting's agenda included an overview of the project and its results and an account of how the funds have been spent.

DANO was established in May, 2011, with headquarters in the Rhodope village of Momchilovtsi, with Norwegian financing, and with the goal of sustainable development of local natural, cultural, infrastructure and human resources. Priorities include eco-tourism, bio diversity, and preservation of local cultural heritage.

The house where the center is located is called by the residents of Momchilovtsi "The Norwegian House."

The project is supported by the City Hall of the regional center of Smolyan while the funding is part of the EUR 126.6 M grant to Bulgaria from Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein.

Norway alone is granting Bulgaria EUR 48 M under the Norwegian Financial Mechanism, plus a sizable share of the EEA Financial Mechanism grant of EUR 78.6 M.

The funding provided by Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein will be used to support Bulgarian projects in the fields of healthcare, education, cultural and natural heritage, green industry innovations, energy efficiency, renewable energy sources, and cooperation within the Schengen Area.