The Bulgarian Wetlands Restoration and Pollution Reduction Project, a pilot initiative under the GEF Black Sea/Danube Strategic Partnership, aims to control nutrient inflow to the Black Sea. The project focuses on wetlands restoration and nature protection, with Persina Nature Park and Kalimok/Brushlen Protected Site as key areas. It received funding from GEF, the World Bank, and other donors, totaling USD 13.28 million. By reconnecting wetlands to the Danube and promoting sustainable land use, the project aims to reduce trans-boundary nutrient loads and restore biodiversity.

The project implements best practices in wetlands restoration and management, aligning with international conventions like the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. It collaborates with local communities, government agencies and NGOs (Green Balkans, WWF and others). The initiative draws on successful experiences from other countries, such as Austria and Hungary, in wetlands restoration along the Danube River.

Restoring wetlands in Persina Nature Park and Kalimok/Brushlen Protected Site has significant environmental impacts, including biodiversity enrichment - new colonies of the Dalmatian Pelican were established at both project sites. The nutrient reduction in the Danube River does not seem to be among the most significant contributions of this project. Socio-culturally, the project fosters community engagement through mostly education and support for the traditional fishing practices.

The project serves as a model for other riparian sites facing similar challenges in biodiversity and wetlands degradation. Its success in Persina Nature Park demonstrates the feasibility of wetlands reconnection to the Danube linked with protected areas management. By sharing best practices and lessons learned, the project contributes to other efforts in the Danube basins to manage wetlands like Kalimok wetlands and Srebarna Lake.

The consultative process in this project has taken place within a relatively limited range of stakeholders. These are state structures and local authorities. No private land or other property was affected in this project, which was a prerequisite for significantly more streamlined procedures. Communication with the local community proved to be very important in securing a positive attitude and support in ensuring the project outcomes.

The establishment of a protected area (Persina Nature Park) and a state administration, which, among other things, is responsible for maintaining and developing the products of this restoration project, has proved to be the key to its successful implementation over the last more than 20 years.