The main objective of the project was to promote the integration of nature conservation principles into sectoral development, with special attention paid to sectors that are particularly important to the development of rural areas in South Eastern Europe (SEE) — namely, agriculture and tourism. The project worked towards this goal by:

• providing a platform for exchanges of information and experience between relevant governmental and non-governmental professional organisations from the countries of the region;
• facilitating communication and cooperation between nature conservation authorities and “the other side” – i.e. governmental bodies and other organisations dealing with agriculture and tourism;
• identifying and presenting case studies on the successful integration of biodiversity principles into agricultural and tourism development, both from within and outside of the region; and
• identifying “priority actions” that reflect the most urgent needs of the countries and the sectors dealt with, and provide concrete possibilities for future cooperation, which will facilitate more sustainable development in the rural areas of SEE.

Three-day regional conferences were organised for both sectors, and comprehensive reports have been produced that summarise the presentations delivered, the discussions among participants and possible future actions identified in small, facilitated working groups.

For more information, please contact:
Mira Mileva
Project Manager
E-mail: mmileva@rec.org
Tel: (36-26) 504-000