Safeguarding biodiversity and combating poaching

Programme 2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-A Romania-Bulgaria

Date of latest update: 2025-12-03

Description

Description (EN):

The project will be in the benefit of the Programme area and will focus also on the Green Deal objectives in respect to supporting the preservation of biodiversity, safeguarding protected areas and promoting green urban spaces. Poaching and Illegal activities in the Danube river has been a major problem for both Romania and Bulgaria for years. This illegal activities are not only causing economic and environmental damage but is also undermining the efforts of both countries to protect and conserve their biodiversity. The materially outdated base of EAFA from Bg, as well as the morally outdated equipments, require taking measures to improve the way that the institutions that are involved with this project, will work together against illegal activities in the area of interest. Trough the project, both Ro and Bg will work together to address this issue and find ways to support and protect the river’s valuable resources. By developing a joint action plan will increase enforcement of fishing regulations and also, by performing events on raising public awareness of the importance of biodiversity protection will increase the public knowledge and understanding of the issue, its impact and consequences, and how individuals can help in protecting the biodiversity and Danube ecosystem and the protected areas in GR, CL and TR counties and Ruse, Silistra, V. Tarnovo and Pleven districts. Due to his project large area could be considered as semi strategic. The specific objective of the project is the increasing the intervention capacity for the environmental protection, through the development of the training infrastructure and the corresponding endowment of the authorities in charge, by implementing: 1.Joint strategies and joint action plans tackling biodiversity protection and the issue of illegal actions that affect the Danube ecosystem and the protected areas; 2.Development and implementation of conservation and protection measures of Natura2000 sites on the RO side and equivalent natural protected areas on the BG side, according to the EU Nature Restoration Plan and the BG National Framework for Natura 2000 Priority Actions 2021-2027 (applicable for the Bulgarian partner). Following the construction of the Zonal Operational Center will be a proactive step toward enhancing coordination, response capabilities, and resource management against illegal activities that affect biodiversity. We intend to use this ZOC for the training and continuous specialization of the personnel in charge of preventing and combating illegal actions in eligible area, and for the storage of goods confiscated following the actions of institutions in charge, from RO and BG also. After we will finish the investment we have proposed that all the Steering Committee Meetings will take place in the zonal operational center, and also after the project implementation will end, we will like to continue the collaboration with the partners involved in this project. The specialized equipment that the partners PP2+PP3 are going to purchase in the project and the joint training in the field of border management, will deliver a more efficient response to prevent and counter illegal exploitations and poaching in both countries. Also, all the equipment purchased by PP4 under the project will be used in the department "Fisheries and Control - Central Danube" for the regions of Veliko Tarnovo, Pleven, Ruse, and Silistra and will bring benefits and added value to both: Bulgaria and Romania. The investments, the ZOC and special intervention vehicles that can intervene in case of illegal actions that affect the Danube ecosystem and the protected areas in Giurgiu county and Ruse, Silistra, V. Tarnovo and Pleven districts, such as illegal exploitations and poaching, will be an asset for the development of the programme area. All the activities that we want to implement during the project, detailed in the module `Communication and visibility` will lead to an improvement of the intervention capacity of the staff of the institutions with attributions in the field addressed. From the steering committee meetings, the development of a joint action plan and guide, the planning and joint exercise in order to implement the methods and intervention tactics on the Danube river, to training course documents for the joint training sessions, or public awareness, all contribut to the specific objective of the project. We will create a FB page dedicated to the project, where we will promote the activities, the steps during the implementation and the results of the project, we will post purchased equipment and before&after photos. All the activities that we want to implement are detailed in the Communication&visibility module and will lead to an improvement of the intervention capacity of the staff of the institutions with attributions in the field addressed. For the construction of ZOC, 188.491,57 euro(ineligible costs that will be supported from the state budget by LP).

Actual Achievements (EN):

During the reporting period, all project partners initiated key implementation activities in line with the project objectives, focusing on the establishment of implementation teams, coordination structures, communication and visibility, and the preparation of procurement procedures across Work Package 1 (WP1) and Work Package 2 (WP2). At the level of the Lead Partner-Territorial Inspectorate of Border Police Giurgiu, the Chief Commissioner signed the official Disposition establishing the project implementation team on 13th December 2024. Subsequently, on 18th December 2024, the first Project Steering Group meeting was convened with the participation of all project partners. As part of the communication and visibility efforts, on 20th December 2024, a press release and project description, in both Romanian and English, were published on the official website of the Romanian Border Police. Under WP1, the technical team is currently drafting the technical specifications and necessity report for the Zonal Operational Centre. For WP2, all partners have published a brief project description on their respective institutional websites. Preparations are also ongoing for the startup conference, where visibility materials will be distributed, and the project’s pop-up spider display will be presented. Project Partner 2 -Giurgiu County Gendarmerie Inspectorate also formalized its implementation team on 18th December 2024, as per the order signed by the Chief Inspector. Representatives participated in the Project Steering Group meeting held the same day. On 19th December 2024, the press release and project overview were made publicly available in both Romanian and English on the institution’s official website. Technical preparations are underway for the acquisition of surveillance and evidence-gathering equipment, including two thermal vision cameras and two thermal binoculars, with the specifications and necessity report currently under development. Project Partner 3 - Giurgiu County Police Inspectorate designated its project implementation team on 18th December 2024, with representatives also attending the coordination meeting hosted by the Lead Partner. Notably, on 9th December 2024, the institution published the project description and press release in both languages on its official platform. Under WP1, the technical team is working on the specifications and justification documents for the purchase of three thermal imaging binoculars. Additionally, under WP2, a brief overview of the project has been published on the institution’s website. Project Partner 4 EAFA – Bulgaria reported initial delays in launching procurement activities during this period. The technical specifications for equipment planned for purchase under the project are still being refined, with procurement procedures expected to begin in the upcoming reporting period. In parallel, documents for the procurement of 200 visibility materials are being prepared, with the process scheduled for Period 2. EAFA is also in the process of finalizing documentation for signing a contract with the Bulgarian Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works, which will be followed by the submission of an advance payment application. On May 7, 2025, TIBPG gathered project partners and institutional stakeholders including representatives from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Romanian Gendarmerie,Regional Office for Cross-Border Cooperation Calarasi and the Environmental Agency in Giurgiu. The public procurement process for the key infrastructure investment—the construction of an Operational Center for Combating Fish Poaching, comprising a training room and a storage facility for confiscated goods—was launched successfully. Although the initial procedure was cancelled due to a lack of bids, a second tender attracted two offers, which are currently under technical evaluation, with the contract expected to be awarded in September 2025. Two rounds of procurement for surveillance equipment were conducted by the experts of PP2 - GCGI, resulting in the successful acquisition and payment of Night Vision Devices, while revised technical specifications led to a new contract for Thermal Imaging Binoculars signed on 29.07.2025, with delivery and invoicing finalized in early August. Technical experts from PP3 - GCPI are currently developing the specifications and the necessity report for the purchase of the 3 pieces Thermal imaging binoculars. EAFA has not yet initiated full procurement activities due to the pending receipt of the advance payment, although technical specifications are being finalized and preparations for the procurement of 200 visibility materials are underway; meanwhile, EAFA ensured active cross-border cooperation by participating in the Opening Conference.

Project outputs: Elaboration and signing of cooperation cross border agreement on biodiversity prevention measures(EN)
Development of a joint action plan and Raise public awareness campaign (EN)
Website (not verified): https://www.politiadefrontiera.ro/

Thematic information

Urban development Sustainable management of natural resources

Priority: (VI-A_Ro-Bu_P2) A greener region

Priority specific objective: RSO2.7. Enhancing protection and preservation of nature, biodiversity and green infrastructure, including in urban areas, and reducing all forms of pollution

Priority policy objective (Interreg specific objective): PO2 A greener, low-carbon transitioning towards a net zero carbon economy and resilient Europe by promoting clean and fair energy transition, green and blue investment, the circular economy, climate change mitigation and adaptation, risk prevention and management, and sustainable urban mobility

Type of intervention: 079 Nature and biodiversity protection, natural heritage and resources, green and blue infrastructure

Partners (4)

Lead Partner: Inspectoratul Teritorial al Poliției de Frontieră Giurgiu

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 891909472

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 4201295 | - | - (EN)

Address: Mircea cel Bătrân, 080036 Giurgiu, Romania

Department address: Mircea cel Bătrân, 080036 Giurgiu, Romania

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Regional public authority

Website (not verified): https://www.politiadefrontiera.ro/ro/structura-teritoriala-giurgiu/

Total budget: EUR 1 850 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 1 480 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 370 000.00

Contractors:

Name: SC JAUCO CONSULTING SRL
VAT registration or tax identification number: 4201295
Name: TIBPG
VAT registration or tax identification number: 4201295

Изпълнителна Агенция по Рибарство и Аквакултури

Name: Изпълнителна Агенция по Рибарство и Аквакултури

Department: Executive Agency for Fisheries and Aquaculture

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 880748555

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 000649519

Address: Knyaz Aleksandar Batenberg, 8000 Burgas, Bulgaria

Department address: Knyaz Aleksandar Batenberg, 8000 Burgas, Bulgaria

Legal status: public

Organisation type: National public authority

Website: https://iara.government.bg/

Total budget: EUR 749 700.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 599 760.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 149 940.00

Inspectoratul de Politie al Judetului Giurgiu

Name: Inspectoratul de Politie al Judetului Giurgiu

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 944109052

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 5798621 | - | - (EN)

Address: Bd. C.F.R., 080121 Giurgiu, Romania

Department address: Bd. C.F.R., 080121 Giurgiu, Romania

Legal status: public

Organisation type: National public authority

Website: https://gr.politiaromana.ro/

Total budget: EUR 449 930.11

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 359 944.08

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 89 986.03

Inspectoratul de Jandarmi Judetean Giurgiu

Name: Inspectoratul de Jandarmi Judetean Giurgiu

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 880743317

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 11880288 | - | - (EN)

Address: Soseaua București, 080302 Giurgiu, Romania

Department address: Bulevardul București, 080302 Giurgiu, Romania

Legal status: public

Organisation type: National public authority

Website (not verified): https://www.jandarmeriagiurgiu.ro/new/

Total budget: EUR 450 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 360 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 90 000.00

Contractors:

Name: SC MICRONIX PLUS SRL
VAT registration or tax identification number: RO7996366

Partners map

Partners and Projects info

Executive Agency for Fisheries and Aquaculture

Safeguarding biodiversity and combating poaching

Partners and Projects info

Giurgiu County Police Inspectorate

Safeguarding biodiversity and combating poaching

Partners and Projects info

Giurgiu County Gendarmerie Inspectorate

Safeguarding biodiversity and combating poaching

Partners and Projects info

Territorial Inspectorate of Border Police Giurgiu, Romania

Safeguarding biodiversity and combating poaching

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Project name (EN): Safeguarding biodiversity and combating poaching

Project acronym: BioGuard – HARD

Project ID: ROBG00018

Project start date: 2024-12-07

Project end date: 2027-12-06

Project status: ongoing

Relevant linked projects:

“Fishing a cross border touristic opportunity/product and a sustainable use of natural heritage and resources” – FISHNAT ROBG402 financed under Interreg V-A Romania Bulgaria (EN) | Both projects foresee initiatives representing environmental protection and preservation when fishing and includes the same group of fisheries in the eligible area. Bio Guard project will use the base created in FISHNAT project. (EN), Development Strategy Giurgiu County 2021 - 2027 (EN) | Bio Guard project will use the initiative form DSGC at:
11. Environmental protection
11.11. Nature and biodiversity (EN), Environmental Protection Law of Bulgaria (EN) | Bio Guard project will use the initiative form Section V. Conservation and use of biological diversity. (EN)

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 3 499 630.11

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 2 799 704.08

Total EU funding (co-financing rate): 80.00%

Co-financing sources:

ERDF: Amount, EUR 2 799 704.08. Co-financing rate, 80.00%.

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

(bullets are inserted automatically and may be incorrectly placed)

Infrastructure investments:

I1.1 - Zonal Operational Center LP1 - EUR 1 750 000.00 - country: România (RO), town: Giurgiu, street: Șoseaua Prieteniei , 53A, postal_code: 080291, Sud-Muntenia (RO31), Giurgiu (RO314)

Deliverables:

Technical design
The zonal operational center
Mobility equipment (described above)
Monitoring, surveillance&proof gathering equipment (described above)
Mission&public awareness campaigns support equipment
ATV - 8 pieces
Car platform with crane for lifting vehicles
Refrigerated van
Thermal imaging binoculars - 3 pieces
Motor vehicles 4+1 seats - 4 pieces
Open Motorboat for 6 persons - 4 pieces
Closed motorboat - 1 piece
Drone with thermal camera
Service for organisation start-up conference - LP1
Press release at the start up meeting - LP1
Service contract for purchasing visibility materials - LP1
Service contract for purchasing visibility materials - PP4
Close-up conference - LP1
Press release at the close up meeting - LP1
1 workshop organized by LP1
1 workshop organized by PP4 online
Joint action plan for protecting biodiversity in the program area elaborated
PP4 Guideline for protecting biodiversity in the cross border BG-RO program area
1 event for planning the field common exercise - Romania
1 event for planning the field common exercise - PP4 online
Field exercise scenario
1 event for conducting the field common exercise (and feedback) - Romania
Exercise evaluation
Lesson learned report
1 event organized for elaboration the training course documents - in Romania
1 event organized for elaboration the training course documents - PP4 online
Training course documents for the joint training sessions. LP1
Joint training sessions in the field of biodiversity protection, in Romania
PP4 Campaign awareness service for stakeholders
Signing cooperation cross border agreement on biodiversity prevention measures
Implementation of cooperation cross border agreement on biodiversity prevention measures

Contribution to wider strategies and policies:

EUStrategyDanubeRegion Thе Danubе Rеgion Stratеgy addrеssеs a widе rangе of issuеs; thеsе arе dividеd among 4 pillars and 12 priority arеas. Grееn Danubе projеct contributе to PA 6 Biodivеrsity, Landscapеs and Air & Soil Quality:
Targеt 1. Improve management of Natura 2000 sites and other protected areas through transnational cooperation and capacity building
Target 2. Strengthen the efforts to halt the deterioration in the status of species and habitats occurring in the Danube Region and covered by EU nature legislation and in particular to continue the ongoing work and efforts to securing viable populations of Danube sturgeon species
EuropeanGreenDeal Parliamеnt adoptеd thе ЕU Climatе Law on 24 Junе 2021. This movеs thе ЕU closеr to its post-2050 objеctivе of nеgativе еmissions and confirms its lеadеrship in thе global fight against climatе changе. Climatе changе is thе biggеst challеngе of our timеs. And it is an opportunity to build a nеw еconomic modеl. Thе Еuropеan Grееn Dеal sеt thе bluеprint for this transformational changе.
All 27 ЕU Mеmbеr Statеs committеd to turning thе ЕU into thе first climatе nеutral continеnt by 2050. To gеt thеrе, thеy plеdgеd to rеducе еmissions by at lеast 55% by 2030, comparеd to 1990 lеvеls.
Bio Guard projеct contributе to:
- Transforming our еconomy and sociеtiеs via crеatе jobs and growth and improvе our hеalth and wеllbеing.
- Lеading thе third industrial rеvolution via crеating markеts for clеan tеchnologiеs and products.
- Boosting global climatе action via working with our intеrnational partnеrs
Projеct еnsurе thеrе arе opportunitiеs for еvеryonе, supporting vulnеrablе citizеns by tackling inеquality and strеngthеning thе compеtitivеnеss of Еuropеan companiеs.
TerritorialAgenda2030 Bio Guard projеct contributеs to TA2030 on Chaptеrs:
- Pеoplе and placеs drift apart
(26) Quality of lifе:Thе undеrlying objеctivе of all public policiеs should bе to incrеasе citizеns’ wеll-bеing and quality of lifе;
- Sustainablе dеvеlopmеnt and climatе changе
(35) Climatе changе;
(36) Loss of biodivеrsity and land consumption;
(37) Air, soil and watеr quality;
(41) Naturе, landscapе and cultural hеritagе.
- Tеrritorial prioritiеs for Еuropе:
(43) Еnsuring a sustainablе futurе for all placеs and pеoplе in Еuropе rеquirеs actions basеd on coopеration and coordination bеtwееn placеs, lеvеls of govеrnmеnts, policy sеctors and sociеtal groups to addrеss complеx issuеs and utilisе divеrsе potеntial, including through ЕU Cohеsion Policy, Rural Dеvеlopmеnt Policy, Intеrrеg, or othеr tools еnhancing intеgratеd tеrritorial or local dеvеlopmеnt.
Other Nеw Еuropеan Bauhaus / horizontal principlеs
Bio Guard projеct contributеs to all thrее insеparablе valuеs:
- sustainability, from climatе goals to circularity, zеro pollution, and biodivеrsity;
- aеsthеtics, quality of еxpеriеncе and stylе bеyond functionality;
- inclusion, from valuing divеrsity to sеcuring accеssibility and affordability.
Other Grееn procurеmеnt / horizontal principlеs
Bio Guard projеct will apply thе Grееn Procurеmеnt mеasurе, that mеans purchasing products and sеrvicеs that causе minimal advеrsе еnvironmеntal impacts. It incorporatеs human hеalth and еnvironmеntal concеrns into thе sеarch for high quality products and sеrvicеs at compеtitivе pricеs.
Wе will takе into account еnvironmеntal considеrations whеn procuring goods and sеrvicеs, and еncouragе to avoid singlе-usе disposablе itеms, and purchasе products:
- with improvеd rеcyclability, highеr rеcyclеd contеnt, rеducеd packing and grеatеr durability;
- with grеatеr еnеrgy and watеr еfficiеnciеs;
- utilizing clеan tеchnology and/or clеan fuеls;
- which rеsult in rеducеd watеr consumption;
- which еmit fеwеr irritating or toxic substancеs during installation or usе; or
- which rеsult in smallеr production of toxic substancеs, or of lеss toxic substancе, upon disposal.

Deliverable (other than infrastructural investment) areas:

România (RO), GIURGIU, Soseaua Bucuresti, 57, 080302
România, GIURGIU , Bd. C.F.R., 9, 080121
Bulgaria (BG), Ruse, Borisova, 52, 7012

Programme Common Output Indicator:

RCO 084 - Pilot actions developed jointly and implemented in projects, Measurement unit:
RCO 087 - Organisations cooperating across borders, Measurement unit:

Delivered output indicator(s):

(RCO87) Organisations cooperating across borders: 4.0

Programme Common Result Indicator:

RCR 084 - Organisations cooperating across borders after project completion, Measurement unit:
RCR 104 - Solutions taken up or up-scaled by organisations, Measurement unit:

Project part of European Union Macro-Regional or Sea Basin Strategy: EUSDR

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

Financing programme

2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-A Romania-Bulgaria

Last month that data in keep.eu was retrieved from the Programme's website or received from the Programme

2025-12-03

No. of projects in keep.eu / Total no. of projects (% of projects in keep.eu)

33 / 33 (100%)

No. of project partnerships in keep.eu / Total no. of project partnerships (% of project partnerships in keep.eu)

92 / 92 (100%)

Notes on the data

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Safeguarding biodiversity and combating poaching

Description

Thematic information

Partners (4)

Partners map

Summary

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

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