1. Adriatic Centre for Responsible Tourism

Adriatic Centre for Responsible Tourism, as one of the most important outcomes of this project, was conceived as an instrument of professional and educational support for development of the territory of our county, as well as informative - educational corner with headquarters in Dubrovnik, in which operate young professionals, local NGOs, tour operators and public officials,  who promote methods of responsible tourism and contribute to community development based on the principles of sustainable development. This Center will host all operators and experts who will be engaged in the project and they will organize numerous activities aimed at raising awareness on the need to preserve natural and cultural resources of the territory, and resource exploitation on the principles of sustainability. MORE

During the project implementation  we continuously informed the public regarding the project activities and topics embraced by the project, through round tables, media, presentations, working meetings and expert conferences, in order to promote methods of sustainable development and responsible tourism, and to start identifying and encouraging future stakeholders of local development.

• Presentation of the project and the project activities

  In December 2007 project was already presented to local institutions, relevant NGOs and other citizens of Dubrovnik. With the assistance of Mr. Paolo Rotoni, programme manager on the Italian side, the president of Deša, Ms. Jany Hansal presented project objectives and activities.
  In February 2008 in the Small Hall of the City of Dubrovnik, DEŠA-Dubrovnik organized a meeting with the aim of possible cooperation and defining partnerships for the implementation of the international project "The Center for Responsible Tourism of the Adriatic region“. The meeting was attended by representatives from COSPE Firenze, Marche Region, Se.A. Ancona, DEŠA-Dubrovnik, the City of Dubrovnik and Dubrovnik-Neretva County 
  

  Delegation of the Marche Region, led by Mrs. Marina Maurizzi, head of the Office for International Cooperation, visited Dubrovnik on February 7th 2008. Delegation was received by County Prefect of Dubrovnik-Neretva County, Ms. Mira Buconić and her deputy Mr. Ivo Karamatić with his colleagues. They discussed the cooperation in the implementation of the international project "The Centre for Responsible Tourism of the  Adriatic region", implemented by NGO DEŠA. The guidelines for future cooperation and preparation of the Agreement on Cooperation between Dubrovnik Neretva County and the Maerche Region were agreed upon at his meeting. The meeting was attended by the representatives of COSPE, Firenza, Se.A. Ancona and DEŠA-Dubrovnik. This meeting and future cooperation was initiated by DEŠA-Dubrovnik within the implementation of its international projects.
  

  A working meeting of Dubrovnik Neretva County, the City of Dubrovnik, County Chambers, Regional Developmental  Agency DUNEA etc. and DEŠA - Dubrovnik with representatives of the Italian Marche Region,  was held on February 28th at the premises of Dubrovnik-Neretva County. At the meeting were presented the objectives, activities and expected results of this three-year developmental project which aims to encourage small entrepreneurship, based on sustainable development and experiences of the Italian partners. On the very same day, a meeting regarding establishing cooperation with universities from the Marche Region  was held at the University of Dubrovnik. The first step was to organize a round table on the topic "The opportunity to create a joint brand in tourism" which was held at the University of Dubrovnik.

• The round tables

  In October 2008, DEŠA - Dubrovnik organized 5 round tables entitled "Sustainable development and responsible tourism in my community" which were held in Mali Ston, Metkovic, Pupnat and Blato on the island of Korcula, and Babino Polje on the island of Mljet.The round tables were attended by representatives of local institutions, CSOs, schools, travel agencies and other citizens who were interested in. DEŠA's representatives presented the project "Center for Responsible Tourism of the Adriatic region“. All participants of round tables jointly developed a SWOT analysis of the situation in their communities.
  In April 2009 was organized another round table in Metkovic, and in April 2010 one in Vela Luka. At the 7 round tables were included a total of 90 participants.

  Round table on the topic "The role of the community in sustainable rural development“ was held in July 2009 in Dubrovnik, and in September 2009 in Opuzen. The leader and the guest speaker was Mr. Roman Haken, a member of the European Office, Economic and Social Committee, Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment - International Cooperation, Brussels, and also president of CCO (Center for Community Organizing) from Moravia, Czech Republic. The aim of the workshop was to get he participants acquainted with the new European approach to rural development "Leader", whose programmes has already been used by the EU member states. G. Haken introduced the participants of the workshop with the examples of LEADER in the Czech Republic and the Czech successes of local action groups. 18 participants

• International conferences

  In November 2008 was held the International Conference entitled "New approaches to the territory development." Conference topics included the concept of territory, natural and cultural heritage, natural and cultural landscapes, local identity, and there were  proposed new instruments and innovative formulas for rural development and promotion of responsible tourism development. The event was attended by 83 participants
  In November 2009 was held the International Conference "The territorial approach to tourism development". The eminent experts from Italy and Croatia who were engaged in the research and implementation of various disciplines and projects, presented an integrated approach to development of the territory through the synergy of disciplines such as sociology, psychology, anthropology, architecture and regional planning. Discussion regarding local tourist systems (STL - Sistemi turistici locali) was actually a discussion about the new economy of developing rural areas, both under pressure from globalization and the increasing importance of quality of life in the everyday life of modern man, as well as the need for an authentic experience. The Italian partners in the project presented interesting solutions that are currently applied in Italy, while the Croatian experts spoke about development of Croatian destinations in the context of destination experience that includes activities to preserve the value of resources, protection of heritage and socio-cultural specificities of Croatian destinations. The event was attended by 50 participants.

• The awareness campaign

  During the year 2008 we organized  a series of voluntary workshops in the frame of the awareness campaign activities.  In the elementary school Marin Getaldić, the importance and need for voluntary work was clearly shown to the pupils, and they made Easter decorations and greeting cards for the protegees of the Home for elderly people "Domus Christi". The pupils from the elementary school Marin Getaldic are part of these workshops each year, visiting the protegees of the Home for elderly people "Domus Christi" at Easter and Christmas time.
  Workshops on the importance and need for voluntary work were held in elementary school Cavtat. The workshops involved students  from second and third grades and their teachers. Children were acquainted with the importance of voluntary work, and they made gifts for the protegees of institutions for the care of elderly and disabled people, "Marijin dom" in Cavtat.
  DEŠA-Dubrovnik, in cooperation with the 4a grade from elementary school Marin Getaldić, after a series of workshops on environment protection, organized a special exhibition of children's photographs on the occasion of Day of the planet Earth. An exhibition named "Because I love my city ..." was held on  April 23rd 2010, in front of the Sponza Palace. The exhibition was part of the action "I love Croatia – I love Dubrovnik" organized by the City of Dubrovnik and Dubrovnik Tourist Board. This action was aimed at raising awareness of the population, especially the youngest citizens of our city, about the need for protection and preservation of nature and the environment in which we live. The photographs made by pupils from elementary schools Marin Getaldic, Mljet Primary School and Kindergartens Slano and Gruda, were displayed at this exibition. The activities of the awareness campaign, included over 200 children and pupils.

• Training for the agents of local development

  As a part of the "Center for Responsible Tourism of the Adriatic region", on April 16th 2008 started the training for agents of local development. The training was attended by 16 participants, mostly economists and managers in tourism. After the training conducted in Dubrovnik, the top four students attended the special training in Italy, from May 18th – 25th. The participants stayed in the Marche Region, and visited the Terra Futura Fair in Firenza. Of the four participants of this training, two were employed on the project. 
  In September 2008, on the basis of call for proposals,  the Ministry of Tourism has decided to co-finance 11 projects through grant aid for holders of tourist projects which were previously approved funds from EU pre-accession funds and other international funds. From the Ministry of Tourism DEŠA-Dubrovnik received a grant for implementation of the part of the project "Center for Responsible Tourism of the Adriatic region“.
  

  As part of this support, we organized another training for agents of local development, which was held in March 2009. At the opening of this seminar, participants were welcomed by State Secretary of Ministry of Tourism, Mr. Ivo Mujo. The lecturers were renowned experts from the associations "Odraz" from Zagreb, "Smart" from Rijeka, University of Dubrovnik, from abroad, and CSOs specialized in local development and project cycle.

  After completion of training for agents of local development in Dubrovnik, 7 participants received the opportunity to attend the second part of the training in Italy, in the regions of Emilia Romagna and Marche. 20 participants registered for the training, out of which 7 participants successfully completed training and wrote the project. The second part of the training was held from April 19th to 24th in Italy. The young agents of local development were acquainted there with the examples of best practices on the principles of sustainable development, LAG, LEADER approach, EMAS and Ecolabel certification, farm houses and horizontal hotels.

• Training for local institutions officers
  
  

  The aim of this training is to familiarize the local institution officers with the work of local institutions on the Italian side, particularly in the Marche Region. Some of the activities which the trainees were introduced with, are as follows: the planning of local tourist activities, cooperation with the private sector and sponsorship, the organization of public cultural events and activities of the integration with the territory of the local community.
  From March 07th to 10th 2009 the training for local institution officers was organized in Marche Region. The participants visited the fair Tipicita, met with local action groups and the concept of the LEADER approach to rural development, as well as with the municipalities of Fermo, Porto Sant Elpidio, Senigallia and Ascoli Piceno province, respectively with the municipalitites that promote eco-tourism and rural tourism.
  

  At the time period from April 12th to 15th 2010, we organized a second study visit to Firenze, where the participants got acquainted with the association Artigiancredito, and they also visited the association COSPE and met up with projects that COSPE has implemented in the wider region. These activities included the 8 representatives of local institutions, and in the third year of project implementation, we expect the participation of 5 more public officers.
  

• Training for small entrepreneurs
  

  This training is designed for small and medium enterpreneurs from Dubrovnik - Neretva County. The first part of the training was held in Dubrovnik - Neretva County and covered the topics: introduction to entrepreneurship, legal - organizational forms for small and medium enterpreneurship, business plan, accounting and the concepts of sustainable development and responsible tourism. The second part referred to a study visit to Italy, where small entrepreneurs learned about good practices on the principles of sustainable development and exchange of experiences and contacts with small entrepreneurs in Italy. Special emphasis has been placed on organic production and development of eco-tourism.

  During the first two years of project implementaion, the 6 trainings were organized for small entrepreneurs, which included 80 small entrepreneurs from the area of Dubrovnik Neretva County. Out of this number, 30 of them participated in a study visit to Italy: Tuscany Region, Umbria and Marche Region. Participants were introduced with examples of best practice and shared knowledge and experience.

  The English language courses in Ston, on the island of Mljet, in Opuzen and Vela Luka, were organized for the project participants, small or potential entrepreneurs in tourism. Courses in foreign languages, computer science and creative workshops have continuously been organized all over Dubrovnik Neretva County, according to the needs of local communities

• Training for development of local action plans
  

  Within the activity of development of local action plans (link to LAP), DESA organized a lecture on "Local Action Plans",  for the University of Dubrovnik students and their mentors prof. Pavlic, prof. Portolan, prof. Puh and prof. Perucic, in the framework of the project „Centre for Responsible Tourism of the Adriatic region“. The lecturers were Mrs. Jany Hansal and Ana Cvjetkovic.
  In March of 2009, a meeting with students and professors took place at the University of Dubrovnik, where students have shared previously designed and prepared surveys, intended for residents of Dubrovnik Neretva County. The results of these surveys will be included in the processing of local action plans for the 5 county areas:

  • Dubrovnik
  • Neretva valley
  • Konavle and Zupa dubrovacka
  • Penninsula of Peljesac and Dubrovnik Primorje
  • Islands

  Within this activity, we organized a study visit for professors and students from the University of Dubrovnik, in the period from May 10th to 14th 2010,  in the course of which they met with an integrated system of development of the territory on the Italian side.

  Within the tourist system (STL) Marca Anconetana,  students were introduced to the representative of Marca Anconetana, representatives of the Chamber of Commerce, representatives of the Province of Ancona, a consortium Frassasi, implementing parties of the project "Teatro dei Profumi e dei Sapori" , the association of Riviera del Conero, LAG Colli Esin, president of the Museum system, representatives of the University of Ancona, and representatives of the Marche Region.

One of the most important activity in the second year of the project implementation is to establish a guarantee fund. Guarantee fund is intended for small entrepreneurs in Dubrovnik - Neretva County, who are just starting their own business based on the principles of sustainable development and production of autochthonous products. Guarantee Fund amounts € 80,000.00 and will be used as a guarantee for micro-credits for small entrepreneurs in tourism. (show/hide the rest of the text)

6. Project promotion - Promotional materials

In the frame of this activity, and in order to promote the project activities we printed:

• Promotional flyer for small entrepreneurs from the area of Dubrovnik - Neretva County, called Rural password
• Final project brochure will contain all the important activities and results of the project
• LAP Brochure - This brochure is the result of the activities of drafting local action plans for development
• Web site -  informative and educational content for all project beneficiaries: local community, small entrepreneurs and for tourists from all over the world.
  

During the project implementation, we have printed several information leaflets related to the activities of the awareness campaign on environment protection, renewal and revitalization of tradition and cultural heritage, as well as the voluntary work:

• Renewal and revitalization of national costume and embroidery from the Island of Mljet
• The embroidery from Dubrovnik Primorje – Croatian souvenir
• Crafts on the south-Dalmatian islands
• June 5th, World Environment Day
• Waste for the future
• Education for the community regarding waste edible oils
• Voluntary work is a civic virtue
• Silk, our cultural heritage