Dicon Group has many years of experience in coordinating and managing the full range of consulting services in the field of project management and business development in the following areas: biodiversity and Natura 2000, implementation of the Water Framework Directive, environment assessments and analyses and capacity building.
We build teams of experts for each individual project, providing the necessary competencies and experience. We perceive our clients as partners and follow steadfastly high standards of work in the respective field. We rely on wide international expertise to ensure the implementation of the best European practices. All this allows us to inplement complex and large-scale projects, the results of which are highly appreciated by our clients.
Among the projects, implemented by the company are:
According to the requirements of Art. 6.3 of the Habitats Directive, it is necessary to assess the consequences of each plan or project in relation to the conservation objectives of the Natura 2000 site, either individually or in interaction with other plans or projects. The conclusions should enable the competent authorities to determine whether the plan or project will have an adverse impact on the integrity of the site concerned. Therefore, the assessment is aimed specifically at the species and/or habitats for which the site is designated as a Natura 2000 site.
In 2017, by his decision, the Minister of Environment and Water approved the implementation of the investment proposal "Improvement of the route of Lot 3.2 of "Struma" Highway", eastern option Г10.50. In 2023, additional optimizations of the conceptual project were carried out. In this regard, it is necessary to assess to what extent the changes made may increase the negative impacts of the project on the specific objectives of the two Natura 2000 sites. This task was assigned by the Road Infrastructure Agency (RIA) to Dicon Group. The assessment elements include:
Water is essential to human health, the environment and the economy. The Water Framework Directive (WFD) recognizes this importance by promoting the sustainable use of water resources to ensure that aquatic ecosystems are in good status and that water is clean and healthy for people, animals and plants. Water protection and management transcend national borders, that's why the WFD establishes a legal framework for the protection and restoration of clean water in the EU in order to ensure its long-term and sustainable consumption.
Hydropower is the largest source of renewable electricity worldwide and is expected to grow further in the coming decades.
Hydropower Association commissioned Dicon Group to provide environmental expertise regarding the requirements of the WFD and good practices in its implementation, with a focus on determining the environmental flow and measures to maintain it.
For this purpose, practices were analysed in a number of countries comparable to Bulgaria in terms of the amount of energy produced by hydropower plants and the characteristics of the landscape, as well as those with significant experience in developing methods for determining ecological flow.
The team that prepared the analyses includes Bulgarian and international experts.
In connection with the commitments of the Republic of Bulgaria and in the implementation of National Prioritized Action Framework (NPAF) on “Natura 2000” for the period 2014-2020 under Art. 8 of the Habitats Directive, the Ministry of Environment and Water (MoEW) has developed and adopted a new approach for management of the “Natura 2000” network in Bulgaria, through which to create conditions for coordinated, efficient and lawful management of the network. The approach envisages the establishment of an effective management structure, based on national and regional level, an obligation to develop management plans for “Natura 2000” sites, and in this regard - active communication with all stakeholders.
In addition, the introduction of the new management approach necessitates the updating of the NPAF, in order to achieve compliance of the measures set in it with the real financing needs.
In 2018 the Ministry of Environment and Water assigned to Dicon Group Ltd. To organize and conduct three national campaigns on the following topics:
The campaigns include both events at the national level and the conducting regional events, aimed at the specific communication needs at the regional level. These needs are conditioned by the necessaty for the management plans of the “Natura 2000” sites to be based on clear priorities and to include measures, the implementation of which will lead to the improvement/maintenance of the favourable status of the target species and natural habitats. In this regard, before the campaigns, “Natura 2000” objectives were defined at the biogeographic level, national level and site level, and a subsequent update of the NPAF 2014-2020 was carried out, where these objectives were taken into account.
In fulfilment of the requirements of the Water Framework Directive, Member States should develop criteria for identifying significant pollution from diffuse sources of surface waters, as well as carry out a quantitative assessment of their impact.
In 2019, the World Bank assigned to Umweltbundesamt GmbH (Federal Environment Agency of Austria), in partnership with Dicon Group (Bulgaria) and Deltares (The Netherlands), to develop criteria for identifying significant pollution from diffuse sources of surface waters, as well as to select and apply appropriate models for quantitative assessment of the impact, on the scale of the river basins in Bulgaria.
The Birds@Farmland (B@F) Initiative of the European Commission was launched in 2020 with the aim to support 10 Member States (Austria, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Germany, Spain, Finland, France, Hungary, Italy and Portugal) in conserving farmland birds. Putting in place effective measures to conserve farmland birds, in Natura 2000 sites and outside, is an obligation under the Birds Directive. Such measures can benefit both farmers and society as a whole since they lead to manufacture of more healthy food and conservation of key ecosystem services such as pollination and protection of water purity. This initiative is essential to the success of the EU Green Deal, the Biodiversity Strategy 2030 and the Farm to Fork Strategy of the European Commission.
Within the Birds@Farmland initiative the contracted consortium developed 22 farmland bird conservation schemes (CSs) together with the participation of stakeholders and interested experts in 10 Member States. The schemes were presented to the attention of the ministries of agriculture for inclusion into the national Strategic Plans (SPs) under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) of the European Union. Using the available tools under the new CAP the schemes follow both traditional and novel approaches, such as Agri-environmental schemes (AES) under the Second pillar of the CAP, eco-schemes under First pillar, improvement of the agricultural advisory services, as well as some result-based payments. Given the bleak state of farmland bird populations across Europe, the proposed CSs include measures both for conservation and restoration of the populations. It was up to the participating stakeholders at each Member State to choose the agricultural systems and/or flagship species on which to focus based on their status and most urgent needs.
For Bulgaria the team of Dicon Group, as a partner in the consortium, developed two farmland birds conservation schemes:
Within the framework of the two new eco-schemes, activities and measures are foreseen to lead to the improvement of the environmental conditions in agricultural lands in the specified agricultural systems, both in terms of the diversity and abundance of food resources, and to ensure suitable habitats for nesting, sheltering and/or resting of the bird species that inhabit them in the different seasons of the year.
The overall approach of the initiative is based on several guiding principles: scientific justification of conservation measures; pragmatism and flexibility in applying and implementing them; good awareness of farmers and agriculture advisory services.
More information on the bird conservation schemes is available on the web page of the European Commission: Circa BC here.
Among the tangible outputs of the B@F Initiative are the full technical reports and a set of summary factsheets for the prepared Bird Conservation Schemes, the characteristics of the selected Agricultural Systems and Flagship Species. The materials have been developed with a scientific approach to serve as a guide for stakeholders in understanding the content of the schemes.
Floodings are a natural phenomenon that cannot be prevented. Some human activities (growth of settlements and economic activities in floodplains, as well as the reduction of the natural capacity of the soil to retain water caused by land use) and climate change contribute to an increase in the probability of floods and their adverse consequences. The good preparation of the population, in turn, guarantees the reduction of the consequences of floods, the limitation of possible damages and victims, as well as helps the quick and accurate response in the event of a disaster situation.
In 2017, the General Directorate “Fire Safety and Civil Protection” at the Ministry of Interior (GD FSCP-MoI) assigned to Dicon Group, in partnership with the Bulgarian Red Cross, to organize and conduct trainings for preparation of the population for actions in case of floods and subsequent crises. In addition, the capacity of 700 employees of GD FSCP-MoI has been built to continue this process over time, participating in specialized training teams at the six training centers created, according to the project of the Contracting Authority. The developed training plans, programs, materials, manuals represent a complete methodological package of tools to ensure the training process in the future.
We have been conducted more than 4 200 trainings, in which participated:
This is the largest effort in Bulgaria to prepare the population for flood response.
We provided support to the World Bank and the Ministry of Environment and Water of Republic of Bulgaria for the assessment of the ecological status and ecological potential of all surface water bodies in Bulgaria, for the purpose of developing the third River Basin Management Plans (RBMP).
In accordance with the requirements of the Water Framework Directive, the ecological status of surface water bodies in Bulgaria is assessed typically, in accordance with the specific reference conditions and the classification system for biological quality elements, and the main physico-chemical quality elements supporting them for each of the surface water categories – rivers, lakes, transitional waters and coastal sea waters. For the heavily modified and artificial water bodies, the status is defined as ecological potential.
In 2022 the World Bank assigned to Dicon Group Ltd. to perform a biological classification of the surface water bodies of the categories “river”. “lake” and “transitional waters” in Bulgaria, as a basis for an assessment of the ecological status and ecological potential within the framework of development of the third River Basin Management Plans (RBMP). This task is a part of a larger project, implemented by the World Bank under an agreement with the Bulgarian Government “Support for preparation of River Basins Plans and Flood Risk Management” (RAS project).
The assessment of the ecological status and ecological potential has been implemented by active communication with the teams of the World Bank, the Ministry of Environment and Water and the Basin Directorates.
The framework for prioritised actions (PAF) represent a set of instruments for strategical multiannual planning, which purpose it to provide a comprehensive overview of the needed measures for building the “Natura 2000” network throughout the EU and associated to it ecological infrastructure, specifying the funding needs for these measures, and linking them to the corresponding EU funding programmes. In accordance with the objectives of the EU Habitats Directive, on which the “Natura 2000” network was founded, the measures that should be determined in the PAF are foreseen mainly for conservation or restoration of the favourable conservation status of the natural habitats and species of EU interest, as at the same time the economic, social, and cultural requirements, as well as the regional and local characteristics are taken into account.
The legal basis for the PAF is Article 8, para. 1 of the Habitats Directive, according to which the Member States are obliged to transmit to the Commission also their assessments about the financial contribution of the European Union which they consider necessary to fulfill the following obligations in relation to “Natura 2000” network:
The prioritised action framework is therefore aimed at identifying the financial needs and priorities that are directly related to the specific conservation measures established for the “Natura 2000” sites, so as to achieve the conservation objectives at the level of the site for the relevant species and habitat types for which the sites are designated (as required under Article 6, para1 of the Habitats Directive). Given the fact that the “Natura 2000” network also includes the Special Protection Areas (SPAs) defined under Directive 2009/147/EEC (the Birds Directive), financial needs and priority measures in relation to bird species in the SPA are also taken into account here.
In 2019, the Ministry of Environment and Water assigned to Dicon Group Ltd. to develop a National Framework for Prioritized Actions for Bulgaria, for the period 2021-2027.
The National Framework for Prioritized Actions was approved by the European Commission and the measures in it were included in the funding programs.
The Birds Directive refers to all naturally occurring wild birds within the European Community and deals with the protection, management and control of these species, and establishes rules for their use. The regulations apply to birds, their eggs, nests and habitats.
According to Article 10 of the Birds Directive, the Member States must: "encourage the study and activity necessary for the conservation, management and utilization of populations of all species of birds listed in Article 1." Therefore, bird monitoring is a major aspect of the work. Member States are also required to prepare a report on the implementation of the Directive every 6 years.
In 2019 the Executive Environment Agency (ExEA) assigned to Dicon Group Ltd., in partnership with Particip GmbH (Germany) the development of the comprehensive methodological approach for monitoring and assessing the status of bird species, subject to reporting under Art. 12 of the Birds Directive, collecting field data and information, as well as preparing the reporting under Art. 12 of the Birds Directive for the period 2013-2018.
All reports from the implementation of the activities can be found at the web page of the ExEA here.
We provided support to the World Bank and the Ministry of Environment and Water for the fulfilment of Bulgaria's commitments to two of the key elements of the Common Implementation Strategy (CIS) of the Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC in the process of development of the third River Basin Management Plans (RBMP):
Pursuant to the requirements of Commission Decision (EU) 2018/229, (Para. 7) “...in order to close the gaps and improve the compatibility of the intercalibration results in time for the third river basin management plans due in 2021,” (Para. 10) “…Member States should apply the results of the intercalibration exercise to their national classification systems in order to set the boundaries between high and good status and between good and moderate status for all their national types,” and (Para. 9)“… to derive their good ecological potential, taking into account their physical modifications and their associated water use.”
In 2020, the World Bank assigned to Dicon Group, in partnership with Umweltbundesamt GmbH (Austrian Environment Agency) and Deltares (The Netherlands), to conduct the process of validation of the typology and the classification system for the assessment of the ecological status / ecological potential in Bulgaria, so that the results achieved to be used for the preparation of the third RBMP.
The validation of the typology and the classification system for the assessment of the ecological status / ecological potential in Bulgaria has been performed by active communication with the teams of the World Bank, the Ministry of Environment and Water and the Basin Directorates.
Pursuant to Art. 4, para. 4 of the Habitats Directive, each EU Member State determines priorities according to significance of each “Natura 2000” network site for protection or restoration to favourable conservation status of the natural habitats from Annex I or of the species of Annex II of the Habitats Directive, and for the coherence of the “Natura 2000” network, in view of the threat of damage or destruction of those territories. Establishment of these priorities means that the site-specific conservation objectives are defined. These objectives are the ground for determining the conservation measures and they should be based on scientific knowledge and qualitative information for the status of the relevant site, species and natural habitats, subject to conservation in it, as well as the main pressure and threats that can affect on them.
We provided support to the Ministry of Environment and Water (MoEW) for developing specific objectives for species and natural habitats under Habitats Directive and Birds Directive, in two pilot sites in the Bulgarian “Natura 2000” ecological network. When setting the objectives, the guidelines contained in the "Commission's note on setting conservation objectives for “Natura 2000” sites" were taken into account, in relation to information from the institutions, bodies, offices and agencies of the European Union, European Commission, "Management of sites under Natura 2000", The provisions of Article 6 of the Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC".
Specific objectives were developed for:
In the course of development of the specific objectives the recommendations of international experts, defined by the EC, were taken into account, who’s participation were to support the process of finalizing of the objectives so that they correspond to the greatest extent to the requirements of the EC.
The specific objectives are approved by the MoEW.
The developed specific objectives can be found here.
CCP implements a complex of measures for increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of the services provided for the Bulgarian enterprises. This includes: conducting a survey to determine the needs and limitations of the Bulgarian enterprises in the field of consumer protection; study of the experience and good practices of EU and EEA Member States regarding the services provided to economic operators; training of the members of the Conciliation Commissions and the representatives of the target groups; ensuring conditions for normal work of Conciliation Commissions, including furnishing and equipping premises in which to sit and work; creation of mobile groups for prevention and assistance to Bulgarian enterprises in matters related to consumer protection; running a broad campaign to promote alternative dispute resolution methods; introduction of ICT-solutions in the work of CCP with the economic operators, etc. These measures are implemented under a project financed under the Operational Program "Innovations and Competitiveness 2014-2020".
We provided support to CCP, by organizing and conducting 14 one-day trainings for 494 individuals, business representatives, on working with CCP Conciliation Commissions, for alternative dispute resolution, as well as regarding legislation and consumer protection issues. A vision of the necessary follow-up actions after the completion of the contract.
CCP implements a complex of measures for increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of the services provided for the Bulgarian enterprises. This includes: conducting a survey to determine the needs and limitations of the Bulgarian enterprises in the field of consumer protection; study of the experience and good practices of EU and EEA Member States regarding the services provided to economic operators; training of the members of the Conciliation Commissions and the representatives of the target groups; ensuring conditions for normal work of Conciliation Commissions, including furnishing and equipping premises in which to sit and work; creation of mobile groups for prevention and assistance to Bulgarian enterprises in matters related to consumer protection; running a broad campaign to promote alternative dispute resolution methods; introduction of ICT-solutions in the work of CCP with the economic operators, etc. These measures are implemented under a project financed under the Operational Program "Innovations and Competitiveness 2014-2020".
We provided support to CCP through organising and conducting the following trainings:
We have provided support to the Managing authority of Operational Programme “Innovation and competitiveness” 2014-2020 to strengthen the capacity of OPIC applicants and beneficiaries to participate in the implementation of the program and more efficient use of its financial resources.
In 2016, the Ministry of Economy assigned to Dicon Group, in partnership with Consulting house Solutions Ltd., the conduction of specific trainings of applicants and beneficiaries of Operational Programme “Innovation and competitiveness” 2014-2020.
In this regard we:
Natura 2000 is a Pan-European network of sites for protection (protected areas) in Europe, aiming to provide the long-term conservation of the most valuable and threatened species and natural habitat types. The Natura 2000 sites falling into the ecological network are designated in accordance with the Habitats Directive and the Birds Directive.
As a member state of the EU, Bulgaria is obligated to ensure the management of the Natura 2000 sites, by determining and implementing the needed measures for the protection of the species and natural habitat types. This requires effective and efficient management of the Natura 2000 network.
In 2016 the Ministry of environment and water assigned to Dicon Group Ltd., in partnership with the Federal Environment Agency of Austria, to develop a management approach for Natura 2000 network in Bulgaria, by building and developing management models at the national level and for the Natura 2000 sites.
The development of the management model has been realized by an active communication with the stakeholders – different ministries and their regional structures, non-profit organizations, professional and business associations, scientific organizations.
The introduction of the management models is related to changes in the Bulgarian legislation, which the MoEW proposed to the Bulgarian National Assembly.
Annex V of the Water Framework Directive 2000/60/ЕС (WFD) introduced unified system for assessing the status of surface waters. In order to ensure comparability between the results of the ecological status assessments, which are carried out according to nationally developed and approved methodologies, each of the EU Member States participates in the so-called "intercalibration" process. The successful participation of the Member States in this process is a guarantee that the assessments of the ecological status of the water bodies according to the biological quality elements (BQE) have the necessary credibility and are comparable to the assessments carried out in the other Member States. Therefore, each EU Member State is obliged to intercalibrate the nationally developed BQE analysis methods.
The intercalibration (IC) process is conducted for all surface water types identified as common by two or more countries implementing WFD. For this purpose, in 2004 the European Commission (EC) launched the so-called "intercalibration exercise".
In 2013, the Ministry of the Environment and Water (MoEW) assigned to Dicon Group, in partnership with Umweltbundesamt GmbH (Federal Environment Agency of Austria), to intercalibrate the methods for the analysis of biological quality elements (BQE) for surface water types on the territory of Bulgaria corresponding to certain common European types in the geographical groups for intercalibration.
All the results of the IC process were presented by our team to the European structures (JRC, WGA ECOSTAT), and the developed methods were included in the EC Decision as follows:
Developed methods for analysis of the following BQE:
Adapted methods for analysis of the following BQE:
A successful intercalibration of methods for analysis of BQE has been achieved within common types in categories “river”, “lake” and “coastal water”.
