Project acronym: ENJOYHERITAGE (1.038.312,39 EUR ERDF)
Lead Partner: Občina Slovenska Bistrica
Project Partners: Grad Ozalj, Javna ustanova za upravljanje zaštićenim dijelovima prirode Krapinsko-zagorske županije, Javna ustanova „Park prirode Žumberak – Samoborsko gorje“, Općina Vrsar, Zavod za turizem Maribor – Pohorje, Zavod Republike Slovenije za varstvo narave
Associated Partners: Ministrstvo za gospodarski razvoj in tehnologijo (MGRT), Grad Krapina
The project area involves the cross-border area in Slovenia and Croatia with their outstanding natural, cultural and geological history. It represents a connection among the Pannonian, Alpine and coastal world, a unique space, which connects us all since ancient times. In this area began the development of man (Krapina Neanderthal) and Europe (discovered archaeological sites from the period of the genesis of Europe and the migration of nations). This is where the common challenge for the future comes from: man, nature and landscape. The areas are bounded by the considerable similarity of structural features, similar geographic configuration which enable a wide natural and biological diversity, the richness of the water and the rocks as well as the diversity of the cultural landscape. The involved areas have a large part of pristine nature which is unknown and whose potential is unfulfilled. Residents in these areas are mainly farmers, wine producers or people involved in tourism. They are united by a common desire to preserve the settlement of the hinterland and protect natural and cultural resources. They have a common vision about the relationship among the individual dispersed elements of heritage and the diversion of visitors from most visited sights to the ones worth seeing in the hinterland. Fundamental to the preservation and protection of the environment is the raising of public awareness on sustainable natural development. It is important that these skills are learnt at the early stage of life. Throughout the project we will search for ways in which we can invite people especially the youngsters back to nature since precisely they spend less and less of their free time there. We want to inspire them for living in rural areas so they can recognize and exploit potentials for development and new employment opportunities. We want to achieve the set up goals in an innovative way which will build on the existing knowledge and disseminate new approaches broadly.
