"Sustainable Tourism and Biodiversity
Conservation" - enhancement of capacities of the CEEweb
network
The primary aim of the project
was to build the capacity of the CEEweb network through a
twinning program between Ecological
Tourism in Europe and CEEweb.
The "Sustainable Tourism and Biodiversity
Conservation" - enhancement of capacities of the CEEweb network
project was approved by the European Commission, under the
Developing the capacity of environmental NGOs, through transfer
of best practice from NGOs in the EU15 (under the PHARE 2003
Multi-country programme "Environment and enlargement").
The twinning program between CEEweb and Ecological Tourism
in Europe was launched at the end of March 2004.
As part of the twinning program,
two joint meetings were organized by the European Commission
for the beneficiaries.
The overall aim of the project was the development and organization
of an educational scheme on "Sustainable Tourism and
Biodiversity Conservation" through the Transfer of Technology
and twinning between the CEEweb Sustainable Tourism Working
Group and Ecological Tourism in Europe. The benefits of the
twinning project were the improvement of knowledge in this
matter of the chair and the coordinator of the working group
to achieve a better understanding of the guiding principles
and project implementation related to tourism and biodiversity,
to enhance the capacity for lobbying, so that they are able
to further educate the members of the working groups, as well
as other partners as a multiplying effect.
The general
objectives of the 7 month project
1. Definitions and terms of references (e.g. public-private
partnership; environmental governance) of sustainable tourism
and ecotourism are understood by NGOs.
2. To improve the capacity of CEEweb towards the planning,
management and development processes of sustainable tourism
through training and education.
3. To identify good practices and lessons learnt of sustainable
tourism, with special focus on those from CEE Countries that
are widely known among the identified NGOs.
4. To establish inter-linkages between other stakeholders,
such as tourism industry and decision-makers, for the improvement
of legal frameworks, strategies and master plans to be made
known.
Means for achieving
the objectives
1. One week training exchange
in Germany for a representative of CEEweb and of the elected
Chair of the Sustainable Tourism Working Group
2. One week field study and training
session given by short term experts on the premises of
a sustainable tourism demonstration project in Banska Stiavnica,
Slovakia.
3. Five day on-site training at the headquarters of CEEweb
in Budapest
The results of the project (final report and training program)
broaden the view of the identified NGOs in terms on how to
manage future projects on tourism and biodiversity. The Chair
and the Coordinator obtaining the above mentioned basic skills
transfer the compiled information and the lessons learnt to
other members of the working group, which can distribute this
knowledge in their countries among other NGOs and during the
work in their project with local communities.
The project strengthens the organizations involved through
a transfer of skills and knowledge.
The compiled training material promotes the understanding
of the political, economic, cultural, social, and environmental
elements inherent in the field of tourism, and through acquiring
the knowledge on best practices, the applicant is enabled
to effectively take part in the maintenance of an open and
participatory approach and can perform further education and
awareness raising among all stakeholders, such as the public
sectors, national and local governments, industry organizations,
other NGOs, trade associations and consumer organizations.
Supported by PHARE Multi-Country Programme
"Environment and Enlargement"
This program is implemented with the financial
assistance of the European Union. The contents of this document
are the sole responsibility of CEEweb, and can under no circumstances
be regarded as reflecting the position of the European Union.
