The Regional Development Agency for Bjelasica, Komovi and Prokletije participated from November 20 to 22 in the final MED GIAHS conference in Trevi (Italy), together with all project partners, as well as representatives of the Association of Rural Households of Montenegro, who represented the rural tourism sector at the gathering.
This event, which included the Final Project Conference, the fifth Steering Committee meeting, the fourth interregional seminar, and the third field visit, was an opportunity to present results, exchange experiences, and define the next steps in the development of the Mediterranean agricultural heritage systems.
One of the most significant moments of the conference was the official presentation of the MED GIAHS Network, a joint network dedicated to strengthening Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems – GIAHS sites in the Mediterranean region. The network was presented as a space for cooperation, joint planning, and the development of common methodologies that will enable stronger development for all existing and potential GIAHS areas. On that occasion, key network documents were presented: the strategy for sustainable rural tourism in MED GIAHS areas, the joint catalog of sustainable rural tourism, instructions for creating action plans, as well as the joint training plan and accompanying guide.
Representatives from various Mediterranean regions shared experiences from their communities, emphasizing the importance of the new network as a mechanism for preserving and improving the agricultural, cultural, and landscape identity of the Mediterranean. Representatives of the Regional Development Agency for Bjelasica, Komovi and Prokletije pointed out that the project has special significance for the katuns of Montenegro, as it supports the application process for the GIAHS list and contributes to connecting traditional agriculture, local identity, and the development of rural tourism through international cooperation and knowledge exchange.
The final part of the event was dedicated to field visits to historical olive groves and agricultural estates in Trevi and Assisi, which allowed participants to see firsthand the values of living agricultural heritage that the MED GIAHS network seeks to preserve and improve. The Regional Development Agency for Bjelasica, Komovi and Prokletije continues to actively contribute to the project and strengthen Montenegro’s role in the network of Mediterranean GIAHS territories, with the hope that the katuns of Montenegro will soon officially be on the GIAHS list, and in this way further support the sustainable development, visibility, and resilience of rural communities in Montenegro.
