The Regional Movement Ecosouthwest was founded in September 1994. At the beginning it united the efforts of 232 members from nine human settlements in Southwest Bulgaria. The principal aim was to set up a structure that may protect the common interests of inhabitants and entities of the region with respect to protection of the environment.

The organization is active at the national level on the subjects of Water Management and Genetically Modified Organisms. At the regional level is operates actively also on the issues of Environmental Education and Waste Management.

Southwest Bulgaria is traversed by the rivers Struma and Mesta. These two rivers produce a considerable for the scope of this country annual runoff, but nevertheless the water supply problems of the region are not resolved yet. The situation on Southwest Bulgaria is further complicated as a result of the constructed or planned for construction derivations to transfer water from the rivers Struma and Mesta to the stretches of the rivers Iskar and Maritsa. This construction has been effected without taking clear account of the water demand in the region, without finalized water balances and water-use plans, that has caused considerable discontent among the local population. Immediately upon its creation, Ecosouthwest, in partnership with two other NGOs, organized the largest protests in the history of the region against the construction of the Jerman-Skakavitsa derivation, aimed at transferring water from the region, although it was vitally needed for the local population. The protests included a campaign in the media, public meetings at different locations, not only in the affected human settlements.

The first several years the donations for project implementation were small. Our activities were generally financed with equity funds of the organization. During the period 1995-1997 we conducted annually afforestation activities in the park zones in the city.

Bulgaria is a country featuring rich biodiversity, famous for its extremely tasteful fruits and vegetables. There are conditions for development of intensive agriculture and we wish to safeguard nature the way it was created by God. Bulgaria does not need genetically modified plants on its fields, and that is not just our wish, but the wish of all Bulgarians.