A new call for project proposals has just been published in the framework of the new Interreg MED programme. Axis 3 – Natural and Cultural resources – includes priorities for coastal and maritime sustainable tourism and for the management and networking of protected areas. The deadline for project applications for Modular projects is the 9th of November. Check here the regions and countries that can apply.

Interreg MED

EUROPARC was at the meeting in Marseille, on the 22nd September, and we have important information to provide to our members. For those who need more info please contact: Federico Minozzi f.minozzi_at_europarc.org.

We might be either a good partner for your project (!) or an intermediate in finding partners across Europe!  Use our network!

EUROPARC Federation was represented by Ignace Schops, President of EUROPARC, at the “New European common qualifications of Heritage Interpretation in tourism sector” conference, organized by Diesis coop and supported by EARTH (the European Alliance for Responsible Tourism and Hospitality), on the 17th of September 2015, in Brussels.

Ignace highlighted the importance of tourism in Protected Areas, in a presentation entitled “Interpreting Natural Heritage”. The conference was realised in the framework of the European project “Interpreting our European Heritage”, financed with the Life Long Learning program for a period of 2 years, leaded by KOAN consulting in Spain and realised in 6 different European countries (Austria, Italy, Slovenia, Spain, Belgium and Germany). The conference aimed to inform stakeholders and users on quality, relevance and effectiveness of the results of the project, to foster their transfer to decision-makers and their adoption and application by end-users. More information about the meeting is available here.

European Charter for sustainable tourism © EUROPARC Federation

On the 9th September, Federparchi – EUROPARC Italy and the Italian Ministry of the Environment organized a seminar at EXPO Milano about the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism in Protected Areas (ECST) entitled “The Charter as a tool and certification for nature conservation, land management and dialogue between Parks, local businesses and tour operators” (La carta come strumento e certificazione per la tutela della natura, lo sviluppo del territorio e il dialogo tra parchi, imprese locali e tour operator).

Paulo Castro, council member of EUROPARC Federation, made a presentation about the Strategy of EUROPARC regarding the ECTS,  Javier Gomez Limón from EUROPARC Spain and Julia Steiner from EUROPARC France made a presentation about the 2nd and 3rd phases of the Charter, respectively.

Giampero Sammuri, President of Federparchi, highlighted the importance of the ECST for the Italian Protected Areas:

 (ECST) improves sustainable development and tourism management of protected areas, taking into account the necessities of the environment, local communities, business entrepreneurship and visitors.

Further information about the event can be found at Federparchi – EUROPARC Italy website and the presentations can be downloaded below.