Via dinarica starigrad

VIA DINARICA

Seminar za ciljani skupine i ključni igraći 18. – 19. 6. 2012

Starigrad Paklenica

WHAT IS VIA DINARICA?

A trail? A range of mountains?

Something else?

A corridor for sustainable development

WHERE DID THE IDEA COME FROM?

In 2010 UNDP county offices discussed possible regional initiatives relating to rural development and environmental protection

WWF initiative “Big Win” resulted in the eventual organization of the the “Dinaric Alps Convention”

New Zealand’s Te Araroa long trail was identified as a best case practice

WWF and UNDP agree to cooperate and work together to develop Via Dinarica

WHAT HAS HAPPENED TILL NOW?

Ongoing discussion between UNDP offices, WWF and others

Initial public discussion in summer 2011 (Žabljak)

Fall-winter 2011 process of detailed project development Specified inputs from UNDP and WWF Initial discussions with RCC Trebinje “partners” meeting

WHAT HAS BEEN DEVELOPED?

Outcomes from Trebinje Agreed initial common overall goals for this project were determined

to be: Branding (define, establish and promote Via Dinarica brand, name, logo,

website etc.) Quality standards and certification (set of quality standards for touristic offer

and outdoor activities service providers, viable and effective system of certification, education, cooperation with institutions)

Establish sustainable and efficient platform for regional cooperation amongst all the different interested parties

Facilitate exchange of knowledge and best practices between the protected areas in the region (with aim to improve quality of protected areas management and their economic utilization for adventure tourism)

Discussions between the partners contributed to determination of initial specific objectives and expected results for the project.

WHAT HAS BEEN DEVELOPED? Specific objectives and expected results for the project.

Overall objectives  Establish regional cooperation towards joint sustainable development

 Specific objective 1. Establish a sustainable mechanism for cooperation between and improved

economic viability of protected areas in the DA region.

 2. Build capacity for regional cooperation, (regional social and economic development)

  3. Establish the region as an internationally recognized outdoor destination

Expected results 1.1 Vibrant network of PA in the DA region established

1.2 Increased contribution to sustainable economic activity of PA in the region

 2.1 Created sustainable platform for cooperation between relevant actors in the region

  2.2 Established development methodology

  2.3 Improved business enabling environment

  3.1 VD Brand made internationally visible

WHAT HAS BEEN DEVELOPED? Possible activities

1.1 Vibrant network of PA in the DA region established 1.1.1 Development and strengthening of PA

network in DA region 1.1.1.1 Selection of PAs per country as VD members in order to 1.1.1.2 Assessment of joint needs to align practices towards EU practices 1.1.1.3 Development of a capacity building plan for the network 1.1.1.4 Implementation of capacity building plan

WHAT HAS BEEN DEVELOPED? Possible activities

1.2 Increased contribution to sustainable economic activity of PA in the region 1.1.2 Improvements of economic sustainability

for PA's 1.1.2.1 Assessment of financial situation 1.1.2.2 Development of "sustainable financing plans" 1.1.2.3 Provision of technical assistance to develop practical implementation of SFP's capacity

WHAT HAS BEEN DEVELOPED? Possible activities

2.1 Created sustainable platform for cooperation between relevant actors in the region 2.1.1 Capacity development for regional cooperation

2.1.1.1 Establishing of regional Via Dinarica coordination structure/commission (including countries’ relevant stakeholders, associations, and other representatives)

2.1.1.1.1. Drafting of agreement for cooperation on regional development

2.1.1.1.2. Verification of regional agreement 2.1.1.2 Development of strategic and action plans for the established VD structure 2.1.1.3 Defining of joint standards for VD products and their alignment with relevant (EU/International) benchmarks 2.1.3.4 Review and assessment of regional management practices 2.1.3.5 organization of knowledge exchange and training to improve management practices 2.1.3.6 Training for "Integrated destination management" 2.1.3.7 Training for event development and management

WHAT HAS BEEN DEVELOPED? Possible activities

2.2 Established development methodology 2.2.1 Establishment of development methodology

2.2.1.1 Review of methodologies 2.2.1.2 Selection of relevant best case practice methods/development of new ones where necessary 2.2.1.3 Technical assistant to relevant stakeholders in implementation of methodologies

WHAT HAS BEEN DEVELOPED? Possible activities

2.3 Improved business enabling environment 2.3.1 Developing business enabling environment

2.3.1.1 Comparative review of current legal and policy structures at local, regional, national and transnational level as opposed to EU 2.3.1.2 Technical assistance to relevant institutions on realignment of problematic structures 2.3.1.3 Technical assistance to businesses to access credit 2.3.1.4 Technical assistance to promote start-ups in the relevant sectors

WHAT HAS BEEN DEVELOPED? Possible activities

3.1 VD Brand made internationally visible 3.1.1 Establishing VD brand

3.1.1.1 Develop a regional communications strategy for the network 3.1.1.2 Develop collaboration with ministries 3.1.1.3 Create a name, a logo and a visual identity 3.1.1.4 establish a media plan 3.1.1.5 Put in place an integrated online presence 3.1.1.6 Publish common printed tools focusing on the network/brand 3.1.1.7 Advertising/dissemination

WHO PROVIDED THE INPUTS THAT LED TO THE CURRENT STUCTURE?

Each partner provided a list of perceived needs UNDP BiH UNDP Croatia UNDP Montenegro UNDP Bratislav (regional UNDP headquarters) WWF CIPRA Hike and Bike Slovenia (National Tourism

Association)

PARTNER INPUTS UNDP BIH

Considerations of what the core specific goals for the effort could be. Build capacity for regional cooperation, (regional

social and economic development) Establish a benchmark for the region in outdoor

development, (education and tourism) Establish a sustainable mechanism for grassroots

management of natural resources and protected areas.

Facilitating improved capacity at the grassroots level for active involvement in environmental protection.

PARTNER INPUTS UNDP CG

Via Dinarica should be a corridor for sustainable development in the area of Dinaric Arc

It should “facilitate local development, job creation, entrepreneurship development and improvement of life of local communities.” Valorization of natural and cultural heritage in

Dinaric eco-region thru development and creation of joint tourism product.

Effective management of protected areas with a goal of sustainable financial management and their integration in the wider social and economic landscape.

PARTNER INPUTS CIPRALevel 1 Priority (must be done)

Connection of all interested parties along Via Dinarica Capacity building for all interested parties Promotion of area Determination of the trail Standardisation of offer along Via Dinarica

Level 2 Priority (highly recommended) Corporate design Promotional material Joint events along the route (thematic) Mobility plans for trail access Interpretational parts of the trail Visitors management plan (on protected areas, touristic areas) Promotion of Mountain culinary (local food products) Establishment of a trademark and stimulating local markets Raising public awareness about nature protection

Level 3 Priority (would like to see) Establishing cover organisation for region (Dinaric CIPRA) Dinaric academy Obtaining of one tourist object and manage it

PARTNER INPUTS WWF Establishment of a regional collaboration network for protected areas management in the

region. Technical support for joint project development between parks in different countries provided. Provide secretariat for the network and establish a mechanism for continued functioning of the

network beyond project duration. Internal communication flow is created, through a selected internal communications tool

(electronic newsletter and/or web section) to generate info exchange and discussions. Communications/promotional materials are created and distributed to build the brand inside the

network and create a sense of pride and common belonging to the same brand (visual identity, branded clothes, stickers, posters, etc).

A capacity building plan for the network, Review of completed protected areas management effectiveness and development of

regional capacity building plan endorsed by all stakeholders. Capacity building activities (trainings, workshops, seminars) on topics to include, but

not limited to: Changing role of protected areas within the context of EU accession; Protected areas’ role in local development and introduction to Economics of

Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB); Quantifying and marketing protected areas benefits; Protected areas and climate change.

PARTNER INPUTS WWF Development of the “Western Balkans/Dinaric Arc Parks”

network brand Develop a regional communications strategy for the parks

network and brand Create a name, a logo and a visual identity for the parks

network to be used on all communications materials Put in place an integrated online presence for the

network/brand Publish common printed tools focusing on the network/brand Develop collaboration with tourism ministries and tourism

sector Implement a media plan to build the profile of the

network/brand. Put in place a regional advertising plan (billboards, printed

media, TV and radio) Prepare an evaluation report based on quantitative and

qualitative analysis of press coverage, web statistics, direct feedback from audiences, social media results, etc

ADDITIONAL INPUTS UNDP BRATISLAV

Via Dinarica should consider the following work packages;

Environmental work package: The objective should be to develop a toolkit to assist eco-village / settlement

representatives or stakeholders to pursue eco-settling. The toolkit will provide a manual / guidelines on the basis of the results from the case studies and the work carried out.

Socio-economic work package: Preparation of an ICT tool on eco-villages sustainability should be performed.

Created ICT tool should be publically promoted.

Evaluation of conditions for developing Eco-village movement could be performed by each PP.

Ministerial level policy recommendations regarding Eco-villages as tool for sustainable rural development should be prepared as well as a Manual on social framework of Eco-villages.

Eco-village Road: Create a network of Eco-villages and a supporting organizatios in the region

ADDITIONAL INPUTS “HIKE AND BIKE” SLOVENIA

There should be connection of Slovenian Dinaric region and existing short trails with a common (with Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro) Via Dinarica trail.

Promotion hiking and natural, cultural heritage, tradition along the whole Dinarica massive and to strengthen all efforts in a quicker development of tourism and other segments along the trail

Via Dinarica should be able to act as a connection symbol among different nationalities, different cultures and unification of standards development.

Development of basic signalisation but with common signs hikers can use as orientation and also to explore surroundings along the different regions.

CONSIDERING THE INITIAL INPUTS

Based upon the initial inputs, the following conclusions were made;

1. The efforts initial overall perspective, the big picture view, foresaw three core areas of the projects goal structure.

2. The effort has clear focus on the one hand, but there is a need to define further what the details of the effort will be.

3. The inputs from the partners demonstrate clear complementariness from an agenda and perceived need standpoint.

4. All of the foreseen activities are complementary in nature while being separately viable as subprojects.

5. Despite the complementary nature of the inputs, more focus must be brought on the efforts outputs so as to ensure the desired impacts.

WHAT NOW?

Public discussion Feedback and inputs

Assets Current Potential Other?

Blockades Legal Physical Administrative Other?

WHAT NEXT?

Elaboration of the project Lobbying and presentation to the

relevant institutions Ministries RCC

Ongoing public contributions Preparation of project documentation Submission of the project

THANKS FOR YOUR

PARTICIPATION Seminar za ciljani skupine i ključni igraći

18. – 19. 6. 2012Starigrad, Paklenica