This initiative is part of the VODIM long-term programme for clean water from the spring to the tap, launched this autumn by equipping five schools with smart filtering machines.

The next step of the long-term VODIM programme from the spring to the tap of UBB and Mastercard is the renovation of three fountains and micro wetlands in Vitosha Nature Park. The first constructed mountain fountain was officially opened on 3rd November at the Beli Brezi Children’s Green Recreation Facility together with the partners under the initiative — the Bulgarian Biodiversity Foundation and Vitosha Nature Park. This project not only aims at ensuring access to clean water for thousands of tourists in the mountain, but also at creating micro wetlands that are a natural habitat of various plants and animals.

„Through the VODIM programme we work for the preservation of one of the most valuable resource – water. We start from Vitosha Nature Park, in order to show that the care for clean water should start from the spring – from the places where nature and people meet .“, shared the Chief Executive Officer of UBB, Christof De Mil during the event in the mountain.

The first newly-built water oasis is in close proximity to the Beli Brezi Children’s Green Recreation Facility“. Within the programme a fountain near Planinets Chalet has also been fully renovated, and it already welcomes tourists along one of the most popular routes in the nature park, while in the spring of 2026 a third fountain is to be renovated – in the vicinity of Belite Brezi Chalet. Locations have been selected by a team of UBB in partnership with the Bulgarian Biodiversity Foundation and experts in zoology and botanics, so that they could simultaneously be useful for tourists and in support of the natural balance of the mountain. Every fountain is a source of life – it creates a micro wetland, where plants and animals find coolness and shelter during periods of drought. For example, in the vicinity of the Beli Brezi Children’s Green Recreation Facility the new micro wetland will support the growth of over 25 embryophyte species and many fauna representatives.

„Sofianites are happy to live one step away from true wilderness. Vitosha Nature park is home to hundreds of plant and animal species for which water is vital – from the protected yellow-bellied toad, considered a bio indicator for water cleanliness, to hydrophilic plants and mason bees, that use mud to build their nests. Every fountain and every wetland support this fragile but astonishing bond between human beings and nature. And it is our responsibility to take care of it and to preserve it.“, told Yordanka Slavova, Executive Director of the Bulgarian Biodiversity Foundation.

Earlier this September the VODIM programme also made its first steps in the activities of ensuring access to clean drinkable water for more than 4 500 pupils in 5 schools in Sofia. „Education and the

active involvement of the society in activities dedicated to the preservation of natural resources are the road to a healthier and more sustainable future .”, shared Vanya Manova, Country Manager of Mastercard for Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Albania and Kosovo. „Over slightly more than a month, pupils have drunk over 12 000 litres of water from the smart HYDRASTATION dispensers, thus saving nature the pollution with plastic bottles. And it is this fact that inspires us to further develop the programme since with the right partners we can make a big difference.” In 2026 plans are the scope of the VODIM programme to be further expanded with even more filtering systems in educational establishments, restoration of public fountains in regions, prone to drought and other activities in protection of water resources