It is simple. You should fill in the survey after clicking on the column RURAL PASSWORD and send it by e-mail at the address:info@adriatic-centre.com. After the project team receive your data, we will contact you to arrange all details regarding your promotion.

All small economies which work has been based  on the principles of sustainable development and that are active in  Dubrovnik-Neretva County, may include their offer in the RURAL PASSWORD.

You can restrict your search in a way that you choose the option olive oil from the options under the name of the activity. After selecting the search option all olive oil producers will be displayed.

Rural tourism is a collective term for various forms of tourism that occur outside of cities and areas in which has been developed mass tourism. It is an ideal and natural method of rural and urban economic exchange.Rural tourism is influenced and marked by tourist attractions that are located in rural areas, and takes more than 90% of the land of the Croatian territory.
Besides tourism on the rural (family) farms, in rural areas we can also find  hunting tourism, fishing tourism, leisure tourism, recreational tourism, health tourism, cultural tourism, culinary tourism, eno-gastronomic tourism, eco-tourism, adventure tourism, educational tourism, religious tourism, protected area's tourism (national parks, nature parks, birdwatchers) nostalgic tourism, local tourism and alike. Rural tourism in rural areas equally covers the activities of tourists (multi-day visitors) and visitors (day visitors).
Over the time, the changes in lifestyle of the hosts are inevitable, particularly in the domain of agricultural production, which brings changes in all these traditional elements of the rural economy and life on it. This raises the question of sustainability of traditional rural economy authenticity, and not only of it, but also the  parts of the village, the  village as a whole  and even, the entire cultivated landscape in rural areas.
Rural tourism has an important role in development of rural areas. It provides additional income to the local population in addition to the  primary agricultural production.  To the farmers it brings back dignity and confidence that  they have lost during the previous fifty years through various activities of general  "urbanization" and "mechanization“ of rural areas.
It is inevitable fact that only tourist rural economies and other accomodation facilities in rural area are not enough for development of rural tourism.There has been required the supplementary gastronomy infrastructure,  from restaurants to premises for tasting wines, they need arranged tourist attractions (the real available attractions), designed wine routes, bicycle routes, pilgrim paths, receptive tourism agencies, in short, the meaningful and organized rural tourism destinations are required.

Responsible tourism represents the antithesis of mass tourism. It assumes, first and foremost, the responsibility towards the natural environment and commitment to its preservation, which is a basic prerequisite for ensuring long-term sustainable development, in other words, a prerequisite for the health and quality life of the local community. Responsible Tourism is a project that can function only with the active participation of local people.

The awareness regarding responsible tourism refers not only to those who provide tourist services, but equally to those who use it. In developed countries, awareness and commitment to the responsible tourism has been recognized as a sign of civilized behaviour, the cognition  that committs an individual to safeguarde and protect the environment, and to respect local cultures, traditions and beliefs.

The Responsible tourism should:

1. Use optimally the natural resources which are an important element in tourism development, maintain essential ecological processes and help to conserve natural heritage and biodiversity.
2. Respect the socio - cultural local authenticity, preserve their cultural heritage and traditional values, and contribute to better intercultural understanding and tolerance.
3. Provide visible long-term economic activities, enable socio-economic welfare of all stakeholders, and  equally distribute it, including employment, income and social services to local communities, and in this way contribute to poverty reduction.

Responsible tourism development requires the active participation of all relevant stakeholders in the community, as well as the strong political leadership that can ensure the participation of numerous stakeholders and contribute to decision-making through consensus. Sustainable tourism is an ongoing process and requires constant monitoring of the impacts upon which suggests the necessary preventive or remedial measures. 

Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of present generation without compromising the future of coming generations. Sustainability is the ability to maintain the balance of certain processeses or conditions in a system. Nowadays, it is the most widely used in connection with biological and human systems. The sustainability can be defined as a method by which biological systems remain diverse and productive over time. For humans it is a potential for long-term preservation of prosperity, which in turn, depends on the prosperity of the natural world and responsible use of natural resources.

According to the 1987th definition of sustainable development given by Burtland's commission, it was "development that is going to meet current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.  It leads to management that uses all resources in a way that economic, social and aesthetic needs are fullfilled, while at the same time,  preserves the cultural integrity, the basic ecological processes and biological diversity. "(Our Common Future, 1987).

At the European Council meeting, held in March 2000 in Lisbon, the heads of governments of the EU member states have agreed upon a common strategic objective, by which the EU until 2010 should become the most competitive and the most dynamic economy in the world based on knowledge, and capable of sustainable economic growth, with the highest employment rate and strong economic and social cohesion. In order to achieve this goal the Lisbon Strategy and the Lisbon Agenda have been adopted, with a program that links short-term policy initiatives with  medium-term and long-term economic reforms. This strategy, which was developed on the meetings of the Council, has been based on three segments.

1.Economic segment, which is preparing the transition to a competitive, dynamic and knowledge-based economy. The emphasis is on the need for constant adaptation to changes in the information society and to encourage research and development.
2.Social segment is focused on modernizing the European social model. This has been achieved by investing in human resources and combating social exclusion. Member states are expected to invest in education and trainings, and to implement an active employment policy, by which it would smooth the way towards the economy based on knowledge.
3. Ecological segment that was subsequently adopted by the European Council meeting in Göteborg in June 2001 suggests that the economic growth should be aligned with the sustainable use of natural resources.

More specifically, according to the Lisbon strategy, strengthening the EU's competitiveness is based on seven goals, namely:
1. wider and more effective use of new information technologies,
2. creation of a European space for research and innovations,
3. completion of the unified internal market of the EU,
4. creation of efficient and integrated financial markets,
5. strengthening entrepreneurship by improving and simplifying the regulatory environment for companies,
6. strengthened social cohesion based on the promotion of employment,
7. improvment of skills and modernization of  social protection systems,
8. sustainable development to ensure long-term quality of life.

Agenda 21 are generally accepted principles of sustainable tourism development upon which the governments from 182 countries agreed at a meeting in Rio de Janeiro in  1992. Agenda 21 is the guidance for individuals, employers and government organizations to guide development in a way that it helps the society and takes care of the environment. Agenda 21 is a comprehensive document which contains 40 chapters divided into 4 sections.

The document deals with:
1) social and economic dimension of development in developing countries, poverty, consumer partners, the population, health, integration of environment and development
2) preservation and management of natural and human resources, the atmosphere, soil, forests, deserts, mountains, agriculture, biodiversity, biotechnology, oceans, fresh water, toxic chemicals, hazardous radioactive substances, solid waste and sewage
3) strengthening the role of major groups: women, children and youth, indigenous groups, NGOs, local authorities, workers, employers and manufacturers, farmers, scientists and technologists
4) methods of implementation: finance, technology transfer, science, education, construction of new capacities, international institutions, regulatory measures; information.

The LEADER approach has been initiated in the early nineties. The acronym LEADER makes the initial letters of the French phrase "Liaison Entre Actions de Développement de l'Économie Rurale" ("The connection between the development activities of the rural economy"). LEADER's approach is based on internal capabilities and limitations of rural areas as a result of environmental, social and cultural factors from the past and the external opportunities and constraints that arise as a result of the creation of the local economy.
If we want to create an approach that fits the specific needs of rural areas, it is necessary to find new approaches to local development and, above all, to find an approach that better responds to the needs and expectations of holders of local development. Advocating an integrated, bottom-up approach and a decentralized administration, LEADER ensures that agents of development in rural areas once again came to the fore.

LEADER's approach can be analyzed with respect to the seven basic principles:

1. Approach based on the characteristics of the area - requires determination of developmental policies based on the actual situation in a certain area,  and its strengths and weaknesses. In the LEADER the "zone" means a fairly homogeneous entity on local level characterized by internal social cohesion, shared history and traditions, a sense of common identity, etc. The reason for using this approach comes out  from the growing interest of local carriers to base the sustainable development of their communities on indigenous local values
2. Bottom-up approach - seeks to encourage public participation at the local level in making developmental policies. The involvement of local factors is necessary, including the community as a whole, as well as the economic and social interest groups and representatives of public and private institutions. Bottom-up approach is usually achieved through two main activities (animation, or start an initiative in the community and education of local communities), has been used in various stages of the programme, according to the identified needs.
3. The partnership approach and local action group (LAG) - Local Action Group is a body in which participate representatives of all three sectors, and it establishes a joint strategy and local action plans for each LEADER area.Local Action Group is one of the most original and most powerful strategic parts of the LEADER approach. Including all three sectors, strengthened by the right of decision-making and a rather large budget, the local action group represents a new model of organizing that can significantly influence  the institutional and political balance of specific areas involved.
4. Innovation - Although the LEADER's concept and the methods of implementation in the field are innovative by themselves, the  LEADER initiative requires the activities under the LEADER to be innovative too. These can be the activities that promote local values in a new way, the activities of interest to local development, which are not covered by other developmental policies, activities that provide new answers to identify weaknesses and problems of rural areas, or activities that help to create new products, new processes, i.e. new forms of organization and new markets. Innovation is also involved in demonstrational parts of the  programme or networking, transferring information to other groups of rural development carriers in order to encourage them by achieved results to start their own or joint projects with those who were row models for them.
5. Integral (unifying) approach - activities and projects included in the local action plan are linked and coordinated in a single unit. Merging can be implemented within the framework of activities that are related only in one sector, within all program activities or individual activities, and (most importantly) through the relationships among various economic, social, cultural and environmental development carriers, as well as the sectors operating in this area .
6. Networking and cooperation among regions – By encouraging the exchange and transfer of information on developmental policies and the exchange and transfer of innovation, LEADER's network seeks to reduce the isolation of local action groups, set up a database and analyze the implemented actions. In order to improve the existing European and national networking, some local action groups were spontaneously linked in informal networks. Cooperation among regions can be cross-border, but it can also occur between adjacent areas within a state.
7. Local funding and governance - another important element in LEADER's approach is to delegate a large part of the responsibility to local action groups; implying to make decisions about financial supports and management of local action groups. However, degree of autonomy of local action groups depends significantly on the structure and institutional context of individual EU member states.
   

"Organic production" ("organic", "biological") is a special system of sustainable agriculture and forestry management, which involves growing plants and animals, food production, production of raw materials and natural fibers, processing of primary products, including all ecologically, economically and socially justified production-technical methods, procedures and systems, using the best soil fertility and available water, the natural features of plants, animals and landscapes, increase of yield and resistance of plants by means of natural forces and laws, the regulated use of fertilizers and pesticides, according to the internationally accepted norms and principles.

"Organic Product" is the one product that is manufactured and labeled in accordance with the provisions of the Law on organic production of agricultural and food products and the regulations made under it.

HACCP, as the most powerful system that guarantees quality and safety of food,  has been just the continuation of ancient desires and efforts to protect populations from diseases transmitted by food. HACCP (Hazard Analisis Critical Control Point) is a system of monitoring and control of all factors during the cultivation, production, preparation, storage and distribution of food,  and can directly or indirectly influence at their quality and safety.
U.S. and EU countries have incorporated HACCP into their legislation in all areas of work with food and banned the import of food products from other countries that are not manufactured or prepared according to the principles of HACCP. HACCP is not only prescribed technique of performing certain actions, but it is a new way of thinking which develops habits out of which origantes the responsible behavior strategy.

Some of the benefits of HACCP are:
- Shows awareness
- Focuses resources on critical parts
- Provides greater confidence in the safety of products
- Reduced production losses / expensive production
- Corrective measures are taken prior to the occurrence of serious problems
- Work is controlled on the spot, actively
- Costs are lower, because it is a part of the procedure
- Identifying problems without understanding the causes

EMAS (European Eco-Management and Audit Scheme) is a voluntary environmental management system, intended to companies and other public organizations,  to assess, manage and continuously improve their environmental performance. It was first adopted by the European Council on the Environment in April 1995. and was open to the participation of industrial companies. By  the revision in 2001  (Regulation EC 761/2001) participation in the EMAS system was extended to public and private organizations operating in the EU and candidate countries, and at the same time, the standard ISO 14001, was integrated into the EMAS system as its integral part.

Environmental Management System embraces all aspects of the environmental impact of production or service activities. It includes compliance with  the legal requirements and balancing the costs, efficient use of resources, prevention of pollution and responding to the demands and expectations of business partners of organizations, owners and founders of organizations, as well as other interested parties. Requirements with guidelines for environmental management system can be found in ISO 14001:2004. By using it, the organization can easier  achieve the principles of environmental policy. In this way, possible incidents threatening the environment can be easier prevented. The business is continually improving and adapting to new demands of customers, markets, legislation and advances in technology and science.

Local tourist systems are one of the tools of management that involves local authorities, private operators, individuals or organizations and other public stakeholders in tourism development on their territory. The purpose is to enhance and promote the area of resources in an integrated manner: a system that merges the natural, cultural and tourist attractions.
Among the most innovative and distinctive features of this reform is introduction of new organizational models of tourist offer, which is based on the concept of systematic cooperation between top managers and beneficiaries of development, such as local authorities, businesses and local community in general.

It has been regulated that state and region are recognized based on the principle of subsidiarity, the role of the territory, with special emphasis on the implementation of intersectoral policies and infrastructure necessary for the qualification of tourist offer and, at the same time, increasing the contribution of private actors in promotion and development of tourist offer.

It is, therefore, an organizational model characterized by two main aspects:
- increase of  the territorial dimension of tourist offer;
- necessary integration between different system components, particularly between public and private actors

The association named "Sistema Turistico della Marca Anconetana" (Tourist System of Marca Anconetana) incorporates 54 important public and private bodies from the province of Ancona, with the intention of achieving an unique goal and raising the awareness: to create a strong tourist product that is completely and well-integrated, through full participation and optimization of the territory, and widespread awareness of its excellence.

It was created in 2006 and includes public and private institutions of the province of Ancona, united to achieve a common goal: to form a strong tourist product.
In  2001,  by the National Law , the state requires division of the territory into the local tourist systems, which helps to promote tourist products, 80% of the territory of the province of Ancona have to be united. In this way Marca Anconetana came out as a tourist system of 48 municipalities (out of 49) with integrated products and joint promotion of these products.

Res Tipica is the ANCI - International Association of Italian Municipalities (National Association of Italian Communes) project for promotion of the Italian identity of the territory.
Project ANCI / Res Tipica was created with aim to protect and promote the great natural, cultural, tourist and gastronomic heritages of small and medium Italian municipalities. Res Tipica intends to evaluate the culture of the territory  to inform Italy and the world about the richness of the landscape, knowledge and taste.
Within this Association have been assigned 22 international NGOs' of „Cities of identity ", 36 provinces, 70 mountain municipalities, 10 chambers of economy and 6 national parks,  with a total of about 2000 local institutions. International Associations "Cities of identities, which are members of "Res Tipica", are the following: "City of Wine", "City of oil", a club "the most beautiful places of Italy“, "City of hazelnuts", "City of chestnuts," Bio Town, Slow City, City of Bread, City of truffles, City of lenses, City of Ceramics, Authentic villages of Italy, City of cherries, City of honey, City of Fish, Ice Cream City, City of tobacco ...