Art.1.

(1) These statutes regulates the establishment, organization and activity of the “Association for Preservation of the Bulgarian Geodiversity””, hereinafter referred to as APBG in accordance with the basic principles and provisions of the Constitution and laws of the Republic of Bulgaria.

(2) APBG is a voluntary association, which is a non-profit legal entity.

(3) APBG is an association for carrying out public benefit activities and is registered as a non-profit legal entity under the Law on Non-Profit Legal Entities (LNPLE).

(4) The Association is an independent and voluntary organization of persons carrying out activities in the field of studying, preserving and popularizing Bulgarian geodiversity.

Art.2.

(1) The name of the association is: "ASSOCIATION FOR PRESERVATION OF THE BULGARIAN GEODIVERSITY", abbreviated APBG.

(2) The name of the association can also be written in English as: Association for Preservation of the Bulgarian Geodiversity, abbreviated APBG.

(3) APBG has its own symbol and seal.

Art.3.

The seat and address of management of APBG is in the city of Sofia, p.c. 1113, SD Slatina district, Geological Institute of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, "Acad. Georgi Bonchev" Str., bl. 24.

Art.4.

APBG is established for an indefinite period.

Art.5.

Each written statement on behalf of the Association shall contain the name, registered office and address of management, as well as a unique identification code /UIC/.

Art.6.

(1) At the time of establishment, the association has no branches.

(2) Upon subsequent establishment of branches, their name shall be formed by adding to the name of the association the indication “branch” and the locality where the registered office of the branch is located. An indication of its subject of activity may also be added to the name of the branch.

Section I.: OBJECTIVES

Art.7. APBG sets the following objectives:

1. To uphold and implement the principles of the International Geoscience and Geoparks Program of UNESCO on the territory of the country;

2. To develop a National Strategy for the Protection of Bulgarian Geodiversity by promoting interdisciplinary geoscientific research and developing perspective territories for the creation of national geoparks;

3. To plan and carry out activities for the protection and promotion of the geological heritage of Bulgaria in accordance with the principles of geoconservation and the sustainable use of rock, fossil, mineral, geomorphological and landscape landmarks in cooperation with scientific institutions and related organizations from the country and abroad;

4. To develop information and educational products on the connection of geodiversity with the historical, cultural and spiritual heritage of the country and its role in improving the socio-economic status of areas with remarkable geological heritage through geotourism and other sustainable forms of tourism;

5. To develop a standard methodology for scientific identification and description of geodiversity in areas with remarkable geological heritage and a program for sustainable management and protection of geotopes in connection with their use for research, educational and tourist purposes;

6. To promote promising regions to potential investors, whose investments in local infrastructure would contribute to raising public awareness in the field of geosciences and improving the socio-economic status of areas with remarkable geological heritage by creating new jobs;

7. To ensure competent representation and protection of the interests of the geological heritage of the Republic of Bulgaria at territorial and central government departments, and international organizations, incl. asserting copyrights for the use of Bulgarian geological phenomena in advertising materials, film productions, etc.;

8. To take action to update the Register and Cadastre of the Bulgarian Geological Phenomena by updating the files of Bulgarian geotopes and adding new ones;

9. To take action to update the cadastral maps and plans of the Black Sea coast through expert definition and mapping of geological formations along the sandy-beach strip;

10. To compile a Register of Glacial Formations in the Bulgarian Alpine Mountains by identifying geotopes of national and international significance;

11. To develop a program for the creation of a National Geopark Network to promote geological and non-geological (cultural, historical, spiritual) heritage in regions with remarkable geological heritage;

12. To assist the Bulgarian Geoparks in raising awareness of the local population in the field of geosciences by providing geo-education programs in local schools and appropriate forms of education for adults;

13. To assist in the protection of the environment on the territory of the Geoparks in accordance with the requirements of the Environmental Protection Act and the regulations of the Ministry of Environment and Waters;

14. To carry out all necessary legal and factual actions for the nomination of the Bulgarian Geoparks of international importance as UNESCO Global Geoparks.

Section II.: MEANS OF ACHIEVING THE GOALS

Art.8.

(1) Means of achieving the goals:

1. Development, application and implementation of projects and programs in the field of tourism, culture, rural development, education, infrastructure, transport, environmental protection and other areas in accordance with the set goals;

2. Lobbying in state and municipal authorities to provide the necessary public resources for the protection and promotion of Bulgarian geodiversity;

3. Establishing contacts and interaction with scientific institutions and related organizations in the country and abroad, as well as with companies and other partners to attract investments in the regions with remarkable geological heritage;

4. Promoting local initiatives related to traditions, customs and holidays dedicated to the tangible and intangible heritage of the regions;

5. Development of strategies and projects for attracting funds to achieve the main goals of the association by organizing scientific conferences, exhibitions, trainings, seminars, publishing activities, etc.;

6. Application for European programs;

7. Implementation of other activities necessary to achieve the main goals, which are not prohibited by the Law.

(2) To implement its goals, the APBG may create specialized structures.

Section III.: SUBJECT OF ACTIVITY

Art.9.

The subject of the main activity is the creation of conditions for improving the socio-economic development of regions with remarkable geological heritage through the establishment and management of geoparks, development, application and implementation of programs and projects to achieve the goals of the Association.

Art.10.

(1) The subject of additional business activity of the Association is any activity permitted by law, related to the main non-profit subject of activity of the Association.

(2) APBG uses the income received only to achieve its goals, specified in Article 7 of these Statutes.