PARENZANA II

Project summary

The specific objectives of the project were: the preservation of the old railway track in Slovenia and Croatia, and the simultaneous construction of an additional primary infrastructure for the cycling path, intended for recreation and sport; integration of the present offer of natural, cultural and technical heritage and tourist events, into an integrated tourist product, with a aim to increase the identity of the cross-border area and route; improving the promotion and marketing of the route as an integrated product for the fans of nature and cycling, by the organization and promotion of cultural events in all participating municipalities in Istria; raising the awareness of the importance and development potentials of “Parenzana”; reducing the burden on the road transport and introducing ecologically more acceptable forms of transport, such as walking and cycling. The value added of the project activities referred to the social cohesion of target groups and end-users on either side of the border with regard to the settlement of current political issues between the two countries, concerning the determination of the border line at the Dragonja river. Outputs of the project were: meetings of the cross-border partners within the Management and monitoring committees; reconstructed and regulated unrevitalized sections of “Parenzana”; arrangement of signaling, rest areas and lookout spots; elaboration of the studies on further development of “Parenzana”; study tour for tourist workers from the cross-border area; training course for biking guides; “Bike ranger” pilot project; conduction of a survey in the cross-border area; conferences and workshops; organized ‘info bike points’; extended “Parenzana Museum” at Livade; joint press conferences; published articles on “Parenzana” as a cross-border destination; implemented INFO CORNER system in the cross-border area; organized Board for the definition of management of cross-border destination – “Parenzana”; multilingual promotion materials; organized the opening of the revitalized sections of “Parenazna”; cross-border cycling race; participation of the cross-border partners in the “GREEN WAY” congress.