Having the opportunity to be part of this project to be honest was prety accident, but I found out the place that is giving me a feeling of harmony. We did many amazing things during this short period, taking care about the environment, we live in, makes me feel free, and gives me motivation to continue my journey. I personally made many friends and met many amazing people with huge experience and love for the eco environment, I saw the power of the small community and this is what which actually gives me some kind of energy to change my lifestyle and start taking care about the nature we live in  more, I even thought about becoming vegetarian for a sec, but as a Georgian it would be impossible for me to deny the culture. I understood that taking care about the nature is not just pollution, there are many harmful ones, we should learn to avoid. The most important part of this project is that, It actually reminds me my hometown, which I think helps a lot to overcome the difficulties of changing the living area.

Vakhtangi CHITASHVILI

As a volunteer in Bulgaria, I am under positive impressions. Because the environment where we live is very comfortable, interesting, unknown to me, which makes it very attractive.

I think that the knowledge and experience gained here will help me a lot in life, for personal growth, and of course I will learn a lot about issues related to environmental protection.

Bulgaria and this project called Eco-Energy besides giving me a chance and opportunity to be independent, knowledgeable and know more about this country. Also, it gives me a chance to get to know the local culture, traditional dishes, new people and make friends from any country in the world and travel.

Finally, I think this project gives me strength and great motivation to do more to be an active volunteer and take care of the environment, as well as to make my small contribution to solve and solve environmental issues, for which I am very grateful. Which will also be useful in my country.

Tako Chkhaidze

Before coming to Bulgaria I searched different things about its culture. It’s my cup of tea to learn something new and interesting about countries and cultures. So as I came in Sofia, first thing I said was “this country has its own soul and charm as well”. People are friendly and helpful here.

I adore museums because when you enter them you can see and feel history and authenticity of the country/city. Well, Bulgaria and especially Kazanlak has the Rose Museum. It’s a unique opportunity to learn about the process of extracting rose oil, which is a significant industry in Kazanlak and the surrounding Rose Valley. The museum left me with a greater appreciation for the role of roses in Bulgarian culture and history, as well as a memorable experience learning about this unique aspect of the region’s identity.

Furthermore, I visited Thracian tomb. Standing in that ancient burial chamber, surrounded by the echoes of history, I couldn’t help but feel a breath of the history.

I must say that Bulgaria has rich history, natural beauty, hospitality and individualism. This project and organization contributes to the eco-friendliness of the country, wich is extremely important for the country and for the earth as well.

I’m sure in the next two months I will have more and more opportunities to learn this interesting country and its culture.

Natia GOJORASHVILI

As a lot of Czech people, I too didn’t think much about Bulgaria. My generation was always told stories of our grandparents going to the Bulgarian sea for vacation. It was the only place they could visit abroad, since they lived under communist government and couldn’t travel.

Maybe for that reason, many people in my country don’t choose Bulgaria as a travel destination. I wouldn’t either if this volunteering opportunity didn’t change my mind. I wanted to try something different and something different did I get. It shocked me there is not even a single shop in the village we live in. I got used to living my city life now, but before that I grew up in a small town close to mountains. But it still doesn’t compare to how cut off the Srednogorovo village is. And how tall the mountains around us are. In more than a week here it still surprises me to see white top of mountains while walking around in a t-shirt.

I would lie if I said I love living in such a detached area. I jump at every chance I get to get a ride to a town. But there is a bright side to this kind of life – it is much slower. You know how you often think ‘Oh what a cool thing, I’m gonna find out more about it when I have time.’ But then you never have time. Well, I have time now. So I’m reading all more books than before, listen to more podcasts about current situation in the world, learning about politics and the inner working of European Union, … just all the things that always fascinated me and I wanted to know more about, but next to my job and hobbies I never had enough energy to study.

So even though the transition isn’t easy, I am happy to have time for the things I always pushed aside. I feel proud of myself to actually use my free time here to study and self-develop. Because you should never stop educating yourself.

Karolina Füllsacková

In today’s world, where environmental concerns are becoming increasingly urgent, volunteering for eco-conscious initiatives has become not just a choice, but a necessity. Recently, I had the privilege of participating in an eco project in Bulgaria, where I immersed myself in activities aimed at promoting recycling and environmental awareness. This journey has been nothing short of transformative, shaping my perspective on sustainability and leaving a lasting impact on the local community.

The eco project I joined in Bulgaria is a beacon of hope in the realm of environmental conservation. With a focus on recycling and waste management, our mission was clear: to foster a culture of sustainability and minimize our ecological footprint. From organizing recycling drives to conducting educational workshops, every activity was a step towards a greener future.

My hands-on experience in the eco project was both enlightening and empowering. I found myself engaged in a variety of tasks, from sorting recyclable materials to collaborating with local communities to implement sustainable practices. Despite facing challenges along the way, such as logistical hurdles and cultural differences, the sense of camaraderie among volunteers kept us motivated and determined to make a difference.

One of the most rewarding aspects of my volunteering experience was witnessing the tangible impact of our efforts. Through our collective actions, we diverted tons of waste from landfills, reduced pollution, and raised awareness about the importance of recycling. Beyond the numbers, it was the smiles on the faces of community members and the newfound enthusiasm for environmental stewardship that truly underscored our success.

As I reflect on my time in Bulgaria, I am reminded of the invaluable lessons learned during this journey. I have gained a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of environmental, social, and economic issues, and the role each of us plays in shaping a sustainable future. Moreover, the friendships forged and the bonds formed with the local community have left an indelible mark on my heart.

In conclusion, my volunteering experience in Bulgaria has been a testament to the power of collective action and the potential for positive change. As I bid farewell to this beautiful country, I am filled with hope and optimism for the future of environmental conservation. May our efforts inspire others to embrace eco-conscious living and join hands in preserving our planet for generations to come.

Nodar KHOMASURIDZE

I applied to this project barely one week before it’s start, I didn’t really thought I would actually be accepted. Once I got accepted, I got a bit scared.

Prior to coming to this project, I had never thought about Bulgaria. I barely knew anything about Bulgaria. The only knowledge I had was that it was a popular destination for people that wanted to travel cheap, that It’s language was a Slavic language and that the flag had the same colours as the Hungarian and Italian flag. Now I would be living in this unknown country for almost two months.

I would have loved to be able to do some research beforehand, but I did not have time. I downloaded Google translate in panic before coming here. My priority when arriving to Sofia, was to get a SIM card to get access to internet to help me out. Luckily, the airport was not too big, and had very clear instructions on how to get to the metro. Additionally the sending organisation had also sent us instructions on how to get to the city center, or to the train and bus station.

My second mission was getting something to eat. I decided to go to a supermarket. I was surprised to found a Billa, a pretty popular Austrian supermarket. Obviously, once inside, it wasn’t as familiar anymore. Even though I could read cyrilic, I could still not understand what was written. Finding products was a bit challenging, as all supermarkets organise they’re products in a different way. In the end I decided to just pick a drink and some snack.

The train from Sofia to Kazanlak lasted about 3 hours. The train I took did not look like it would endure such a long trip. And indeed there were some little problems, that lead to a delay of almost half an hour. During the train ride I followed my itinerary through Google maps. I was really interesting knowing that I was crossing, literally, half of Bulgaria. Like most trains, the railway was a bit further away from cities, so I got to see some of what i think was Bulgarian countryside.

We got picked up at the train station at Kazanlak and had our first proper contact with a Bulgarian person. He brought us to an even more Bulgarian place. When I looked up the place we were going to stay, I saw there were barely more than 200 inhabitants.

The first week was adaptation week. We got the opportunity to meet the other volunteers and more locals, all of which were very friendly and very welcoming.

The weather was also very welcoming. I come from the south of Spain, so I was expecting to be cold coming here, and even thought I was adviced to being spring clothes, I think most of the things I packed are too warm.

I came here with zero expectations and was very pleasantly surprised. I think I will have a very nice time these next two months.

Loane Hoa COCO

After a week of being in Bulgaria as a volunteer for Erasmus project "Eco Bulgaria", my many pre-conceived, seemingly romanticized notions of Bulgaria have evolved. A week maybe is too short to form these impressions, but I have another 7 weeks to think more.

The first thing that impressed me the most while staying in Bulgaria is nature. An area surrounded by mountains, which is also mixed with seaside locations, which I vane’t seen yet. While traveling by subway I saw snowy mountains, cultivated plains and villages covered with forests that were spread in front of us. Here you will come across different types of trees and plants and even birds and I know this from my own experience.

This greenery and nature is more typical for the countryside, but seeing it in the city Kazanlak itself really surprised and pleased me. Green city – thats what I would call Kazanlak. Beautiful parks, a huge green area, cleanliness and orderly garbage system, all this attracted me while I was in the city. The streets are very neat and organized, There are yellow taxis, lots of people on bicycles, beautiful populated areas and so on. Especially I noticed the structure of the houses, which is very different from the structure of the houses in my country. The houses here are smaller and curvier, and the roofs that were characteristic of most of the houses are attractive, with burnt tiles or some other similar material that gives these houses their charm. It is worth noting the yards of these houses, which are also green and planted with flowers. To me, Kazanlak looks like a small and lovely province, like in Belles one from the cartoon quot A beauty and the Beast&quot.

I should also mention the people. They were very warm and open to us. I received a lot of warmth and attention. During our visit to the school, the children energized us, motivated us, engaged us in activities and we had a very fun day together.

We also visited some sights in Kazanlak, which motivated me to learn more about Bulgarian culture and history. I also had the opportunity to listen to traditional Bulgarian music, which gave me great pleasure. I don’t know why, but I expected it to be a little more Russian-style, but for me personally, it was more or less different and original. I hope that I will have a chance to learn more about folk culture.

After all, I have a lot of time ahead to discover more. Now I know why my volunteering project held in Bulgaria and what is the point of it. Bulgaria is a charming country full of old-fashioned character.

Nino liparteliani