On September 2 and 3, the Dechko Stoev City Art Gallery in Pomorie became a hub for representatives from Italy, Greece, Malta, and Montenegro. The international workshop was held under the auspices of the RECIRCLE MED project, the primary goal of which is "Support for the implementation of blue and circular tourism in the Mediterranean." This is the second time the municipality has hosted such a forum in its capacity as an associated partner, with the National Association of Municipalities in the Republic of Bulgaria serving as the event organizer.
At the heart of the RECIRCLE MED initiative is the concept of sustainable transformation for coastal regions, with the University of Thessaly in Greece serving as the project's lead partner. During their two-day visit, the guests learned about local efforts to implement sustainable models, visited various cultural sites, and held a specialized internal meeting to exchange experience and best practices.
The Mayor of Pomorie Municipality, Ivan Alexiev, opened the discussions, emphasizing the balance between tourism sector growth, the protection of the urban environment, and the preservation of local identity. A wide range of participants joined the talks, including representatives from local institutions, the business community, and pilot territories involved in the project, who discussed together how to turn the region's natural and cultural wealth into meaningful tourist experiences.
The work program focused on specific directions for future development, including:
- more efficient management of energy and water resources;
- reducing the volume of waste;
- development of sustainable mobility.