Sustainable cohabitation between man and nature in Retezat N and boundary communities
Issue: degradation of the environment
Why is the project needed?
Nature in Romania is facing more and more threats, in the last 20 years. The poverty of the communities around the national and natural parks leads to an unsustenable use of natural resources. Following project implementation, the distruction of the nature will be significantelly reduces.
The communities will earn money from eco-tourism and selling crafts as souvenirs. Protected areas will benefit by work of 44 trained rangers and 15 volunteer rangers. 24 junior Ranger will be trained in Retezat camps. Awareness programmes and materials will bring a better understanding of protected areas importance. 2000 of photo albums promoting Retezat National Park and Hateg County, 1500 brochures with touristic attractions, and other materials will help touristic development of the area. The project is addressed to RRA members, administrations/custodians of 22 protected areas, artisans and local communities, students and teachers from Romania. The Ranger Association of Iceland and RRA will make know-how exchange and will promot natural values of each other country.
Objective: supporting sustainable development and improvement of the state of the environment in the protected areas of Romania, through the involvement of local communities and through partnerships
Results: participative citizenship, efficient partnerships, sustainable development, increased protection of Retezat National Park and the Narcissus Meadows biodiversity, local and national environmental watchdogs activities, development of the Romanian Ranger Association capabilities. Activities: training 44 park rangers and 15 volunteer rangers, eco-tourism development, education/raising awareness, general RRA assemblies, reports, promotion through mass-media, internet.
Target groups: RRA members, administrations/custodians of 22 protected areas, artisans and local communities, students and teachers from Romania.
Beneficiaries: the local community, tourists/visitors, local and governmental authorities, tour operators.
Partner (from donor countries): The Ranger Iceland Association, for know-how exchange, promoting natural values of Romania and Iceland.
About EEA Grants:
Through the EEA Grants and Norway Grants, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway contribute to reducing social and economic disparities and to strengthening bilateral relations with the benefi ciary countries in Europe. The three countries cooperate closely with the EU through the Agreement on the European Economic Area (EEA).
For the period 2009-14, the EEA Grants and Norway Grants amount to €1.79 billion. Norway contributes around 97% of the total funding. Grants are available for NGOs, research and academic institutions, and the public and private sectors in the 12 newest EU member states, Greece, Portugal and Spain. There is broad cooperation with donor state entities, and activities may be implemented until 2016.
Key areas of support are environmental protection and climate change, research and scholarships, civil society, health and children, gender equality, justice and cultural heritage.
The contents of this website do not necessarily represent the official opinion of the SEE 2009-2014 grants. The correctness and coherence of the presented information is entirely the responsibility of the website managers.
