Nature and traditions for sustainable development

As a result of the project, we have managed to increase the organizational capacity of 5 protected areas of Romania (Comana Natural Park, Vanăaori Neamt Natural Park, Zarandul de Est Natura 2000 Site, Tara Hategului Dinosaur Geopark and Soveja Natura 2000 Site) in order to facilitate the economic development of the communities located near the protected areas. We have developed and conducted an extensive program of workshops on topics such as “”Community Outreach””, “”Sustainable Economic Development””, “”Marketing and promotion of Traditional Products “”, and personalized mentoring on site.
In parallel with the community outreach component, each protected area has conducted an assessment of the neighboring local communities in order to identify traditional craftsmen and artisans, based on a set of previously developed criteria. We have selected 15 craftsmen to be included in the project’s training program. The selected craftsmen have benefited from a mentoring process on product and service marketing which resulted in a set of actions to undertake in order to boost up their sales.
At the end of the project we have organized a fair called “”Nature and Traditions”” at the “”Sf. Ioan”” square in the historical center of Brașov, with the participation of 21 representatives from the protected areas and 20 artisans at the promotional and selling stands. The fair took the locals on an imaginary trip in seven protected areas, it gave them the opportunity to participate in 13 workshops based on environmental education themes and traditional crafts, a chance to participate in a treasure hunt, a memory taken at the photo booth stand with local objects from rural areas, a photo exhibition, tombola with special prizes for the visitors, and a real size replica of a dinosaur discovered in the Tara Hategului Dinosaur Geopark.

Executive AgencyProPark Foundation for Protected AreasPartnersCoalition Natura2000 RomaniaContract NumberCSM 29ComponentEnvironmentCountyBrașovImplementation areaRegionalThematic areaSustainable rural developmentImplementation period01.04.2016-30.09.2017Budget of the project (CHF)74,816Swiss Contribution (CHF)67,316Project websitepropark.roExecutive Agency websitewww.propark.ro