Project acronym: NATURE&WILDLIFE (835.290,12 ERDF)
Lead Partner: RRA Zeleni kras, d.o.o.
Project Partners: Občina Pivka, Javni zavod za kulturo, turizem in medgeneracijsko sodelovanje Snežnik, Jezerski hram, Zavod za ohranjanje naravne in kulturne dediščine, Cerknica, Javna ustanova Nacionalni park Risnjak, Lokalna razvojna agencija PINS d.o.o., Riječka razvojna agencija PORIN d.o.o.
The aim of the project is a tourist product for experiencing nature and wild animals in the cross-border areas of the Dinaric karst. The area is an undivided forest on both sides of the border that is a part of the northern Dinarides. It is the only area in Europe where all three large predator species (bear,lynx and wolf) are still preserved. It is an important environmental and marketing advantage, which can be used in this cross-border cooperation. Three protected areas (Risnjak,Pivka intermittent lakes,Zeleni vir) take part. They offer an exceptional natural heritage, connected to the forest area and typical karst phenomena, as well as knowledge of nature conservation which represents a rich source for designing an attractive sustainable tourist product. With a wider, but thematically niche product and joint marketing operations, it will be easier to direct foreign visitors seeking a specific green product from tourist centres into the hinterland. The project will thus contribute to better conditions for smart growth as one of the key common challenges of PO.
The main project goal is active preservance of joint natural heritage in the project area. This will be achieved by means of sustainable tourism with enhancement of situation in participating heritage areas, increasing content attractiveness, encouragement of green economy and with raising awareness and knowledge of local SMEs and area inhabitants. The main direct effects of the project will be the design of new crossborder green products/programs, the increase of the number of people with enhanced competences and the encouragement of vistiation of areas and natural heritage points, included in the project.
Organized promotion and marketing shall increase the number of visitors by 10%. We will use the partnership to integrate the competencies of development organizations and park managers. During the setup of visitor infrastructure, we will apply the know-how of various experts to better pursue our active nature conservation approach. We will implement the ideas and skills of local stakeholders, and use targeted stimulation of visitors’ interests. The project will help increase the visibility of PP, improve the green infrastructure within and outside the parks, contribute to a better positioning of the two regions as green destinations and thus increase the number of tourists. There will be actual benefits for the participating groups: the interpretation of the heritage (huntsmen, guides, providers); business integration of providers of tourist services and an increased economic benefit for the local area.
