Abstract:

Introduction:
The question of the potentials of the green economy includes the holistic vision of how to move humanity forward. The real contribution to the practice of a green economy can be reflected through several tools and principles, such as those of sustainable development or they can be reflected in the framework of the Global Green Economy Index for example. Presentation: A deeper look in this problematic area provides comparison between real green growth and the actual size of a given economic ecosystem. This paper follows a similar approach and analyzes existing green economy practices currently included by various business representatives and entrepreneurs in Bulgaria.

Aims of the research:
Having in mind that the concept of the green economy is also subject to new technologies, achievements, and high efficiencies, the aim of this research is to examine potentials of green growth and to rethink them as principles of learning and knowledge transfer. In this regard and to contribute to the state-of-art of the green economy this report presents results of a two-level research analysis. Firstly, the potential areas for local green economy in Bulgaria are presented since Bulgaria remains one of most energy-intensive economies in the EU, spending 3.6 times more energy resources per unit of GDP than the average energy consumption in the EU. The paper further suggests one specific solution of this problem. Along with leading components of green economy policy as energy efficiency, green buildings, labor market, green infrastructure, sustainable transport, sustainable agriculture, green businesses, a modern challenge (including in times of pandemics) is to find and expand opportunities for the agriculture in rural areas. Consequently, the second purpose of this study is to examine the perspective of a green economy as a reassessment and inclusion of good practices from the traditional livelihood of local communities in Bulgaria.

The research methodology includes three main scientific methods. At the beginning the critical-historical approach is used to trace the development of selected livelihood practices, operating in the green economy. Then the methods of the in-depth interviewing and the synthesis approach are utilized. Based on this applied methodology, the authors’ thesis is examined regarding the stationary analysis of green practices in rural areas and small settlements that combine culture, and innovation, on the one hand, and are prospective to learning and education, as well.

Conclusion:
The systematized results confirm the potential for incorporation of good practices from the traditional livelihood in the development of the green economy. The analysis of the nine in-depth interviews shows that the revival of livelihood practices and cultural traditions provide an opportunity for expanding the possible of the green economy on the local level in Bulgaria, for encouraging change in the way consumption and production of traditional local products are established. The thesis for the need of an inclusive approach for the promotion in green economy is therefore confirmed. Producers of local products in Bulgaria are owners of shared knowledge, which is also an advantage for the unconscious green economy thinking and a tool for learning and non-formal education.

Keywords:

traditional livelihoods, Bulgaria, green economy, regional development, occupation.