site.bta100 Schools in Bulgaria Apply for Eco Status

This year, 100 Bulgarian schools and kindergartens are actively working to receive the title "Eco School", Stanimir Georgiev, head of the Bulgarian Blue Flag Movement, told BTA. He specified that in 2023 there were 35 applicants, and 34 of them achieved the desired status.

At the moment, only 11 Bulgarian tourism establishments are holders of the Green Key eco-standard, added Georgiev. The figure is completely different compared to neighbouring countries. In Greece, 549 hotels have been awarded the Green Key, in Turkiye - 148, in Slovenia - 200. Georgiev also commented that more and more guests, individual tourists and companies, are looking for accommodation or beaches that are managed in an environmentally-friendly way.

Green Key is the world's leading eco-label for tourism and entertainment establishments, which is awarded to hotels and hostels, small accommodations, campsites, restaurants, conference centers, amusement parks and attractions that meet a set of environmental requirements. To obtain Green Key certification, applicants must go through several steps and meet a list of environmental and social sustainability criteria. Receiving a Green Key proves their responsibility for the environment and society.

The Green Key criteria contribute directly to efforts to achieve the UN's Sustainable Development Goals - to achieve sustainable economic growth, sustainable consumption and production, and sustainable use of resources. Green Key is the largest eco-label with which more than 5,000 establishments in 60 countries have been awarded.