ABOUT US
Local Action Group – Elhovo is established in 2010 as a public-private partnership and is an independent voluntary organization of local officials, businesses and non-economic sector based on the principles of equality and mutual assistance. The association implemented successfully Local Development Strategy in the period 2010 – 2013. At the present LAG – Elhovo – Bolyarovo implement Strategy for Community Led Local Development under Rural Development Programme 2014 – 2020 of Bulgaria.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Local Action Group – Elhovo operates on the municipalities of Elhovo and Bolyarovo, district Yambol, Republic of Bulgaria. The territory of LAG – Elhovo covers 1369,9 sq.km and includes all 42 settlements with total population about 20 000 inhabitants.
The territory is located in the southeastern part of Bulgaria and includes lands from the middle reaches of the Tundzha river. The south border of the territory coincides with the border of the Republic of Bulgaria with Turkey.
The plain and plain-hilly terrain prevails. The main river system on the territory of the LAG is the Tundzha. On the territory of the village of Stefan Karadjovo there is a mineral water spring, which has rich healing prophylactic properties.
The climate in the region is continental-Mediterranean, which creates excellent conditions for the development of agriculture and livestock breeding, self-cleaning of the air, energy from renewable sources, as well as the development of alternative tourism. Unfavorable can be the inadequate rainfall and the relatively high number of days with fog, the occurrence of forest fires, humidity deficiency.
The territory of the LAG - Elhovo - Bolyarovo has a significant agro-climatic potential for the development of all sub-branches of crop growing - cereal, etheric-oil crops, vegetable and fruits crops and perennias.
Biodiversity: There are two protected areas on the territory - the reserves of Dolna Topchia and Balabana with significant biodiversity. On the territory of the LAG - Elhovo - Bolyarovo are designated 10 protected areas under the NATURA 2000 (Birds and Habitats Directives).
The advantages of the location are related to the transport infrastructure – roads part of a strategically important transport corridor Turkey - Bulgaria - Romania.
The additional advantages of the territory are related to the fact that the distance from the industrial centers has contributed to the preservation of the natural and at the present stage the territory of the LAG - Elhovo - Bolyarovo has a rich natural capital allowing the development of organic farming.
ECONOMY
The specifics of the economic development on the territory of the LAG - Elhovo - Bolyarovo reflect the influence of many factors of different nature - location to big cities - growth centers, peculiarities of the natural resource potential, traditions of the local population, degree of construction of different types of infrastructure etc. There are no big companies on the territory, micro-enterprises and SMEs are in the sphere of machine building, knitwear and clothing industry.
The economy of the territory of the LAG - Elhovo - Bolyarovo is characterized by a pronounced agricultural specialization, followed by the service sector and industry.
AGRICULTURE
The agricultural sector occupies a leading position in the structure of economy on the territory of the LAG - Elhovo - Bolyarovo.
• Main crops:
- grain and oilseed crops are among the main species grown on the territory of the LAG - Elhovo - Bolyarovo.
- the group of herbs, etheric-oil crops and medicinal plants are a promising and high added value sector, there has been a significant increase in sown areas in recent years - including lavender, mint, salvia and others.
- Vegetable production and fruit production is growing relatively well, growing tomatoes, cucumbers and pepper, and fruit areas have grown six times over the past 5 years.
• Livestock breeding
The traditions and needs of the local population are at the heart of the development of livestock breeding, mainly cattle, sheep, goats, beekeeping. Main sectors are dairy sheep and dairy cattle.
• Hunting and fishing:
The hunting economy of the territory is well developed, being an attractive place for hunting tourism for Bulgarian and foreign hunters. Several dams, including the Malko Sharkovo dam (on the territory of Bolyarovo Municipality), have been built on the territory, creating excellent conditions for the development of sport fishing.
INDUSTRY
A major share in the economic structure has the light industry, represented by tailoring enterprises and enterprises for production and trade of knitwear.
In the food processing industry, there are companies working in dairy, bakery and sausage. The mechanical engineering in the municipality is represented by 2 companies - production of connecting elements for plumbing installations, metal casting and production of inventory for agricultural machinery.
Services and trade
The trade, services for the population, transport, construction and communications services in the past years show steady growth and occupy the top position in the economy.
TOURISM AND TOURIST POTENTIAL
On the territory of the Local Action Group - Elhovo - Bolyarovo, tourism develops in accordance with the natural and historical circumstances with a general trend of growth. For the creation of high quality and demanded tourism products, a purposeful and effective policy of affirmation and popularization of the territorial identity is needed, combining the advantages of the natural and cultural and historical heritage with the specific products of the territory.
There is a serious potential to develop tourism based on the resources on the territory of the LAG - Elhovo - Bolyarovo:
- The Tundja River - an important resource and potential that is not fully used
- The springs of mineral water - resource with potential for development of spa and spa tourism.
- Preserved nature and rich biodiversity - preconditions for the development of eco, hunting, historic and adventure tourism.
- Rich cultural and historical heritage - an opportunity for the development of historical, archeological (students and archaeologists involved in excavations on the territory) and cultural tourism.
- The realized investments in sport infrastructure also allow for sport tourism (for training of athletes for competitions).
All listed resources represent real potential for the development of integrated tourism, including eco, spa, historical, cognitive, rural, sports and other forms.
STRATEGY FOR COMMUNITY LED LOCAL DEVELOPMENT
of the Local Action Group - Elhovo - Bolyarovo under the RDP 2014-2020
The Strategy for CLLD of LAG of Elhovo - Bolyarovo and its objectives, priorities and measures are based on the identified potentials and needs for development of the territory as well as on the basis of the study of the specific needs of the sectors and groups of stakeholders identified on the territory.
Association „Local Action Group – Elhovo – Bolyarovo”
Kaloyan str. No 13
8600 Elhovo
Tel: +359 879 802 806
e-mail: elhovo_lider@abv.bg