#IMakeTheDistrictGreen is an initiative to plant 435 trees in the center of Varna with the support of citizens. It was initiated by the mayor of the Odessos district, Yanislava Shopova. Some of the planting spots are vacant (previously occupied by trees), while 208 spots have tree stumps that require mechanical removal.

The district administration has prepared a list of addresses of the cut-down trees, as well as the species that were previously planted there. An interactive map with the coordinates of the planting spots has also been created. To implement the planting, the Odessos district has proposed in a report to the chairman of the Municipal Council that additional funds amounting to 25,500 euros be allocated in the district budget for planting material and another 9,000 euros for materials to secure them.

The quality and species composition of the seedlings used in such urban tree planting are always a subject of dispute between citizens and the administration. To facilitate the dialogue process between stakeholders, experts from the Public Center for Environment and Sustainable Development (PCESD) will participate in the initiative on a voluntary basis. The association will invite independent experts and media during the public discussion organized by the Odessos district on August 25 at 3:00 PM in the Varna Hall of Varna Municipality.

The invitation to PCESD to participate in the process came from Yanislava Shopova during one of the association’s public events at the end of May. During the event, children from the Odessos district participating in the “The Neighborhood – My Classroom” project presented their vision for a greener neighborhood around their school to the district mayor, teachers, and parents.

The topic of Varna’s green system and citizen participation in its formation, maintenance, and control periodically engages the Public Center for Environment and Sustainable Development.

Exactly a year ago, Ecovarna.info gave a voice to citizens who raised the alarm about the cutting down of five linden trees on Bdin Street. Local residents insisted on the removal of the stumps and assured that they were ready to cover the costs of planting new trees and take care of them.

Last year, PCESD supported a citizen tree-planting initiative in the Alen Mak area near Varna Free University. After a year and a half of efforts and letters to Varna Municipality, citizens managed to plant 10 trees.

Three years earlier, PCESD proposed to Varna Municipality to allow tree planting on one of several suburban plots where tree felling was planned, using species specified by the administration. After receiving no permission, in the spring of 2024, together with volunteers from the association, they created a linden alley in the courtyard of St. Marina University Hospital.

The topic of Varna’s green system and citizen participation in its formation, maintenance, and control periodically engages the Public Center for Environment and Sustainable Development.

The planting was carried out after the association, using the Access to Public Information Act, uncovered alarming data—namely, that in 2022 and 2023, not a single decare of urbanized territory was planted with trees in Varna Municipality.

#IMakeTheDistrictGreen is a natural continuation of PCESD’s mission to turn environmental protection into everyone’s personal interest. You can support our efforts here.