Various trainings were carried out in Bulgaria (in Sliven), and in France for technicians of the Val d’Adour. 
  

 
Training of Sliven’s environmental technicians
The city of Sliven and the different associated municipalities have environmental technicians in charge of the protection and preservation of the environment on the territory of the Municipality.

A series of trainings was conducted in 2002 in Sliven by three river technicians from the Val d’Adour territory for these Bulgarian technicians (10 to 15 individuals depending on sessions). These trainings covered theoretical elements related to the knowledge of the habitat and the dynamic of rivers, as well as the methodology for a diagnostic of the status of rivers.

The objective is to provide to environmental technicians a methodology and practical tools that will enable them to conduct a river diagnostic. Such a diagnostic is the preliminary stage required to implement progressively a collective and shared management of the Toundja River, following the model of the “River Contract”.

To start this process, the Municipality of Sliven has contacted relevant local, regional, and national participants.

This approach is now strongly supported at the national level, which should materialise in the next few months in the creation of a local office of the regional agency of the “Toundja-Maritza-Arda” sub-catchment. The “River Contract” approach of the Municipality of Sliven could be launched soon, following the implementation of a Bulgarian law on water, which will lead to the availability of the corresponding financing.
 
  

 
Training of “river technicians” and “green rangers” in Val d'Adour
French technicians (“river technicians” and “green rangers”) of the Val d’Adour territory were specifically trained in 2001 to river maintenance and rehabilitation techniques.

These trainings included theoretical and practical (on site) courses regarding river management through techniques harmless to the natural habitat and the dynamic of rivers.

Over ten technicians attended the first training session. Then, four technicians (team leaders) attended a more specialised session.