The Unexplored Heart of Europe  Support to the creation and promotion of sustainable environment-based tourism in Bosnia and Herzegovina
	The project is funded by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affair and will run from May 2009 to April 2012. Implementing partners are UCODEP, WWF Italy and REC BiH. It focuses on three valleys in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH): Neretva, Drina and Una-Sana. The objective is to create and promote environmental and sustainable tourism in the three valleys by supporting activities aimed at providing supplementary income for local communities. REC BiH is in charge of project component 3 "Pilot initiatives to promote local economies based on the sustainable development of the natural resources of two protected areas", namely Sutjeska National Park (Drina Valley) and Hutovo Blato Nature Park (Neretva Valley). This component is consisted of the main four activities: Mapping of natural resources (flora, fauna and ecosystems) of two pilot areas In the framework of this activity is the mapping of natural resources (flora, fauna and ecosystems) of two pilot areas, the Sutjeska National Park in the Drina Valley and the Nature Park Hutovo blato in the Neretva Valley. The environmental emergencies faced by the two protected areas will be highlighted as the basis of an evaluation of their economic value that is the opportunities that these natural resources represent in terms of economic activity (especially tourism) will be used as a point of departure for future activities. Two local experts - one for each PA - will analyse existing material concerning the natural values of the two areas, much of which is already in the hands of the local authorities and administration of the Sutjeska National Park and the Nature Park Hutovo blato.  The resulting publication, in local language, will be of benefit to the local authorities of the Sutjeska National Park and the Nature Park Hutovo blato involved in the establishment of the parks. Economic valuation of the two protected areas Once the inventory of natural resources is complete the next step will be the economic evaluation of the two PAs (with particular emphasis on sustainable tourism) and the eventual benefits to be expected for the local community. This estimate will be based on an inventory of the value that the PAs represent for local communities as a basis for their fundamental well-being (hunting, fishing, tourism, environmental services such as clean water etc.). Information will be gathered by means of a questionnaire and interviews within the two parks. The estimate will be calculated with the assistance of international experts who will guide the process from a purely technical point of view. At a local level, to facilitate the collection of information, training and consultation will be organized.  The Sutjeska National Park and its authorities along with the local communities of Sutjeska and the Nature Park Hutovo blato will take part in courses, interviews and consultations. Work will begin with a training course for around 30 participants selected from the two areas (including personnel of the Sutjeska National Park and Nature Park Hutovo blato and representatives for local communities). The course will both address the methodological approach to be undertaken and will raise consciousness regarding the opportunities offered by protected areas in terms of local sustainable development. It will also give indications regarding the strong points of the two areas in terms of investment and the most convenient economic activities.  Socio economic analysis of the willingness of tourists to pay in the two protected areas An international consultant, expert in the field, will guide the process from a purely technical point of view, making use of the wealth of experience gained in other countries.  Taking into account the local situation, a questionnaire will be created for tourists, both national and international, regarding their willingness to spend money in the parks (buying an entry ticket, for instance). This implies preparatory work to enable identification of the most likely potential tourists to the area. For the Sutjeska National Park and Nature Park Hutovo blato this work will be instrumental in understanding whether there is the potential to generate income from charging entry to the parks. Development of guidelines for sustainable tourism in the two PAs and activities to raise awareness of civil society to promote the guidelines Beneficiaries of guidelines will be Park authorities, who will need to implement guidelines, and tourists, who will be able to follow advice concerning PAs. Towards the development of these guidelines we will organize roundtable discussions with the appropriate authorities and adminstrations, to build local capacity, increase awareness and collect necessary information. The guidelines will be distributed throughout the local community so as to involve people as much as possible in the protection of natural resources in their area. Two small grants will be available to local NGOs, subject to selection. The grants are to facilitate the dissemination of sustainable tourism guidelines in the two areas and awareness raising in local communities concerning the economic potential and value of PAs. Results of previous Activities will be made available to the two successful NGOs. Recent activities: The project activities are aimed at reducing poverty and depopulation of rural areas by improving the living conditions of rural communities, protecting the environment and supporting dialogue among people. REC BiH in collaboration with WWF Mediterranean Programme Office is in charge of project component “Pilot initiatives to promote local economies based on the sustainable development of the natural resources of two protected areas”, namely Sutjeska National Park (Drina Valley) and Hutovo Blato Nature Park (Neretva Valley). “Mapping of the natural resources of Sutjeska National Park and Hutovo Blato Nature Park” has been finalised by local NGOs, Neretva Delta Forum from Mostar and Vrelo from Trebinje. These studies serve as a base for Economic valuation of the Parks. The Economic evaluation started with preparatory meetings, workshops and trainings. The possibilities to involve the local population in sustainable tourist activities have been explored. Next activity is “Socio economic analysis of the tourists’ willingness to pay in/for Sutjeska National Park and Hutovo Blato Nature Park”. The questionnaires on tourist satisfaction and willingness to pay for both parks have been developed and adjusted to local circumstances. About 1,000 tourists from both parks have been interviewed and these questionnaires that would together with numerous of meetings with local communities help to come up with reliable information. The final project activity is “Development of guidelines for sustainable tourism in the two protected areas”. It started with data collection and will incorporate all findings from previous three activities. Priority recommendations from the guidelines for sustainable tourism development in the parks will be financed from the project. Contact: Zoran Mateljak Email: zoran.mateljak@tel.net.ba Tel/fax: 036/327-331