Stambolovo Municipality in Haskovo Region is building a transborder center for green tourism in a project between Bulgaria and Greece under Phare Crossborder Cooperation program. The Greek partner in the project is the Association of Producers and Merchants in the town of Orestiada, the local administration in Stambolovo said.

The Phare funding for the project totals 300,000 euros while the municipality of Stambolovo provides about 125,000 euros.

The green tourism centre will be housed in a reconstructed mountain chalet near the village of Tunkovo. A road stretch of 2.3 km between Tunkovo and the chalet will be rehabilitated. A ski run will be built which will have snow guns.

A transborder network of NGOs, local powers and environmentalists called Arda River Valley will be set up as part of the project. The members of the network will promote the protection of the biodiversity and sustainable tourism along the Arda River on both sides of the border. The network will also signpost three trekking paths which will be maintained by volunteers in the area.

The project is to be completed by November 2008.