1. VIA DINARICA
Seminar za ciljani skupine i ključni igraći
18. – 19. 6. 2012
Starigrad Paklenica

2. WHAT IS VIA DINARICA?
A trail?
 A range of mountains?
 Something else?
 A corridor for sustainable development

3. WHERE DID THE IDEA COME FROM?
 In 2010 UNDP county offices discussed
possible regional initiatives relating to rural
development and environmental protection
 WWF initiative “Big Win” resulted in the eventual
organization of the the “Dinaric Alps
Convention”
 New Zealand’s Te Araroa long trail was
identified as a best case practice
 WWF and UNDP agree to cooperate and work
together to develop Via Dinarica

4. WHAT HAS HAPPENED TILL NOW?
 Ongoing discussion between UNDP offices,
WWF and others
 Initial public discussion in summer 2011
(Žabljak)
 Fall-winter 2011
 process of detailed project development
 Specified inputs from UNDP and WWF
 Initial discussions with RCC
 Trebinje “partners” meeting

5. WHAT HAS BEEN DEVELOPED?
 Outcomes from Trebinje
 Agreed initial common overall goals for this project were determined
to be:
 Branding (define, establish and promote Via Dinarica brand, name, logo,
website etc.)
 Quality standards and certification (set of quality standards for touristic offer
and outdoor activities service providers, viable and effective system of
certification, education, cooperation with institutions)
 Establish sustainable and efficient platform for regional cooperation amongst
all the different interested parties
 Facilitate exchange of knowledge and best practices between the protected
areas in the region (with aim to improve quality of protected areas
management and their economic utilization for adventure tourism)
 Discussions between the partners contributed to determination of
initial specific objectives and expected results for the project.

6. WHAT HAS BEEN DEVELOPED?
Specific objectives and expected results for the project.
Overall objectives Establish regional cooperation towards joint sustainable development
Specific objective 1. Establish a sustainable mechanism for cooperation between and improved
economic viability of protected areas in the DA region.
2. Build capacity for regional cooperation, (regional social and economic
development)
3. Establish the region as an internationally recognized outdoor destination
Expected results 1.1 Vibrant network of PA in the DA region established
1.2 Increased contribution to sustainable economic activity of PA in the region
2.1 Created sustainable platform for cooperation between relevant actors in
the region
2.2 Established development methodology
2.3 Improved business enabling environment
3.1 VD Brand made internationally visible

7. WHAT HAS BEEN DEVELOPED?
Possible activities
1.1 Vibrant network of PA in the DA region
established
1.1.1 Development and strengthening of PA
network in DA region
1.1.1.1 Selection of PAs per country as VD
members in order to
1.1.1.2 Assessment of joint needs to align
practices towards EU practices
1.1.1.3 Development of a capacity building plan
for the network
1.1.1.4 Implementation of capacity building plan

8. WHAT HAS BEEN DEVELOPED?
Possible activities
1.2 Increased contribution to sustainable
economic activity of PA in the region
1.1.2 Improvements of economic sustainability for
PA's
1.1.2.1 Assessment of financial situation
1.1.2.2 Development of "sustainable financing
plans"
1.1.2.3 Provision of technical assistance to
develop practical implementation of SFP's capacity

9. WHAT HAS BEEN DEVELOPED?
Possible activities
2.1 Created sustainable platform for cooperation between relevant actors in
the region
2.1.1 Capacity development for regional cooperation
2.1.1.1 Establishing of regional Via Dinarica coordination
structure/commission (including countries’ relevant
stakeholders, associations, and other representatives)
2.1.1.1.1. Drafting of agreement for cooperation on regional development
2.1.1.1.2. Verification of regional agreement
2.1.1.2 Development of strategic and action plans for the established VD
structure
2.1.1.3 Defining of joint standards for VD products and their alignment with
relevant (EU/International) benchmarks
2.1.3.4 Review and assessment of regional management practices
2.1.3.5 organization of knowledge exchange and training to improve
management practices
2.1.3.6 Training for "Integrated destination management"
2.1.3.7 Training for event development and management

10. WHAT HAS BEEN DEVELOPED?
Possible activities
2.2 Established development methodology
2.2.1 Establishment of development methodology
2.2.1.1 Review of methodologies
2.2.1.2 Selection of relevant best case practice
methods/development of new ones where necessary
2.2.1.3 Technical assistant to relevant stakeholders in
implementation of methodologies

11. WHAT HAS BEEN DEVELOPED?
Possible activities
2.3 Improved business enabling environment
2.3.1 Developing business enabling environment
2.3.1.1 Comparative review of current legal and policy
structures at local, regional, national and transnational
level as opposed to EU
2.3.1.2 Technical assistance to relevant institutions on
realignment of problematic structures
2.3.1.3 Technical assistance to businesses to access
credit 2.3.1.4 Technical assistance to promote start-ups
in the relevant sectors

12. WHAT HAS BEEN DEVELOPED?
Possible activities
3.1 VD Brand made internationally visible
3.1.1 Establishing VD brand
3.1.1.1 Develop a regional communications strategy for
the network
3.1.1.2 Develop collaboration with ministries
3.1.1.3 Create a name, a logo and a visual identity
3.1.1.4 establish a media plan
3.1.1.5 Put in place an integrated online presence
3.1.1.6 Publish common printed tools focusing on the
network/brand
3.1.1.7 Advertising/dissemination

13. WHO PROVIDED THE INPUTS THAT LED TO THE
CURRENT STUCTURE?
 Each partner provided a list of perceived
needs
 UNDP BiH
 UNDP Croatia
 UNDP Montenegro
 UNDP Bratislav (regional UNDP headquarters)
 WWF
 CIPRA
 Hike and Bike Slovenia (National Tourism
Association)

14. PARTNER INPUTS UNDP BIH
 Considerations of what the core specific goals
for the effort could be.
 Build capacity for regional cooperation, (regional
social and economic development)
 Establish a benchmark for the region in outdoor
development, (education and tourism)
 Establish a sustainable mechanism for grassroots
management of natural resources and protected
areas.
 Facilitating improved capacity at the grassroots level
for active involvement in environmental protection.

15. PARTNER INPUTS UNDP CG
 Via Dinarica should be a corridor for sustainable
development in the area of Dinaric Arc
 It should “facilitate local development, job creation,
entrepreneurship development and improvement
of life of local communities.”
 Valorization of natural and cultural heritage in Dinaric
eco-region thru development and creation of joint
tourism product.
 Effective management of protected areas with a goal
of sustainable financial management and their
integration in the wider social and economic
landscape.

16. PARTNER INPUTS CIPRA
Level 1 Priority (must be done)
 Connection of all interested parties along Via Dinarica
 Capacity building for all interested parties
 Promotion of area
 Determination of the trail
 Standardisation of offer along Via Dinarica
Level 2 Priority (highly recommended)
 Corporate design
 Promotional material
 Joint events along the route (thematic)
 Mobility plans for trail access
 Interpretational parts of the trail
 Visitors management plan (on protected areas, touristic areas)
 Promotion of Mountain culinary (local food products)
 Establishment of a trademark and stimulating local markets
 Raising public awareness about nature protection
Level 3 Priority (would like to see)
 Establishing cover organisation for region (Dinaric CIPRA)
 Dinaric academy
 Obtaining of one tourist object and manage it

17. PARTNER INPUTS WWF
 Establishment of a regional collaboration network for protected areas management in the
region.
 Technical support for joint project development between parks in different countries provided.
 Provide secretariat for the network and establish a mechanism for continued functioning of the network
beyond project duration.
 Internal communication flow is created, through a selected internal communications tool (electronic
newsletter and/or web section) to generate info exchange and discussions.
 Communications/promotional materials are created and distributed to build the brand inside the
network and create a sense of pride and common belonging to the same brand (visual identity,
branded clothes, stickers, posters, etc).
 A capacity building plan for the network,
 Review of completed protected areas management effectiveness and development of
regional capacity building plan endorsed by all stakeholders.
 Capacity building activities (trainings, workshops, seminars) on topics to include, but not
limited to:
 Changing role of protected areas within the context of EU accession;
 Protected areas’ role in local development and introduction to Economics of
Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB);
 Quantifying and marketing protected areas benefits;
 Protected areas and climate change.

18. PARTNER INPUTS WWF
 Development of the “Western Balkans/Dinaric Arc Parks” network
brand
 Develop a regional communications strategy for the parks network and
brand
 Create a name, a logo and a visual identity for the parks network to be
used on all communications materials
 Put in place an integrated online presence for the network/brand
 Publish common printed tools focusing on the network/brand
 Develop collaboration with tourism ministries and tourism sector
 Implement a media plan to build the profile of the network/brand.
 Put in place a regional advertising plan (billboards, printed media, TV
and radio)
 Prepare an evaluation report based on quantitative and qualitative
analysis of press coverage, web statistics, direct feedback from
audiences, social media results, etc

19. ADDITIONAL INPUTS UNDP BRATISLAV
Via Dinarica should consider the following work packages;
Environmental work package:
 The objective should be to develop a toolkit to assist eco-village / settlement representatives or
stakeholders to pursue eco-settling. The toolkit will provide a manual / guidelines on the basis of
the results from the case studies and the work carried out.
Socio-economic work package:
 Preparation of an ICT tool on eco-villages sustainability should be performed.
 Created ICT tool should be publically promoted.
 Evaluation of conditions for developing Eco-village movement could be performed by each PP.
 Ministerial level policy recommendations regarding Eco-villages as tool for sustainable rural
development should be prepared as well as a Manual on social framework of Eco-villages.
Eco-village Road:
 Create a network of Eco-villages and a supporting organizatios in the region

20. ADDITIONAL INPUTS “HIKE AND BIKE”
SLOVENIA
 There should be connection of Slovenian Dinaric region and existing short
trails with a common (with Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro)
Via Dinarica trail.
 Promotion hiking and natural, cultural heritage, tradition along the whole
Dinarica massive and to strengthen all efforts in a quicker development of
tourism and other segments along the trail
 Via Dinarica should be able to act as a connection symbol among different
nationalities, different cultures and unification of standards development.
 Development of basic signalisation but with common signs hikers can use
as orientation and also to explore surroundings along the different regions.

21. CONSIDERING THE INITIAL INPUTS
Based upon the initial inputs, the following conclusions were made;
1. The efforts initial overall perspective, the big picture view, foresaw
three core areas of the projects goal structure.
2. The effort has clear focus on the one hand, but there is a need to
define further what the details of the effort will be.
3. The inputs from the partners demonstrate clear complementariness
from an agenda and perceived need standpoint.
4. All of the foreseen activities are complementary in nature while
being separately viable as subprojects.
5. Despite the complementary nature of the inputs, more focus must
be brought on the efforts outputs so as to ensure the desired
impacts.

22. WHAT NOW?
 Public discussion
 Feedback and inputs
 Assets
 Current
 Potential
 Other?
 Blockades
 Legal
 Physical
 Administrative
 Other?

23. WHAT NEXT?
 Elaboration of the project
 Lobbying and presentation to the relevant
institutions
 Ministries
 RCC
 Ongoing public contributions
 Preparation of project documentation
 Submission of the project

24. THANKS FOR YOUR
PARTICIPATION
Seminar za ciljani skupine i ključni igraći
18. – 19. 6. 2012
Starigrad, Paklenica