Project Title: Mediterranean GIAHS Network for the Promotion of Sustainable Agricultural Tourism (MED GIAHS)
Programme: Interreg EURO-MED
Project duration: 27 months
Project Start: January 1, 2024
Project End: March 31, 2026
EU Contribution: €789,626.24
Partner Contribution: €197,406.56
Total Project Budget: €987,032.80

Partners

• Regional Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development of Andalusia – Spain

• Regional Development Agency Bjelasica, Komovi and Prokletije – Montenegro

• PHALA – Panhellenic Association of Landscape Architects – Greece

• Council of the València Orchards – Spain

• University of Florence – Italy

• Pazardzhik Regional Administration – Bulgaria

• Aristotle University of Thessaloniki – Greece

Project Description

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) implements the GIAHS programme – Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems – which helps identify ways to mitigate threats facing these systems and increase the benefits derived from these dynamic environments.

Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems recognize exceptional land-use systems and landscapes full of life and biodiversity, resilient ecosystems, and valuable cultural heritage managed by farmers, herders, and fishers. Thus, through the “MED GIAHS” project, sustainable tourism strategies are being developed for GIAHS in the Mediterranean. This includes the drafting and publishing of a practical guide on how to develop action plans for each territory, a GIAHS training plan for local stakeholders, and a catalog of tourism experiences related to GIAHS.

Regarding Montenegro, the project plans to introduce katuns into the GIAHS programme to ensure they receive adequate protection and all the benefits that this programme entails.

Project Objective

The main objective of the project is to strengthen the role of sustainable tourism in preserving incredible agricultural sites that face numerous threats in the modern world and through modern lifestyles, which are prone to environmental destruction and ecosystem collapse. Additionally, it is planned that these sites will be transformed into leading locations for sustainable tourism during the project’s duration.

By uniquely combining the preservation of heritage, tradition, and innovation with sustainable agricultural tourism as a promising activity for fostering rural development, the project will contribute to the preservation and development of unique agricultural systems.

Activities/Results

A large number of activities are planned for implementation through the project in cooperation with project partners, the local population, and representatives of local public authorities. One of the most significant activities is the transfer of the VALSIPAM project strategy, which will be adapted, improved, and validated for sustainable agricultural tourism and valorization. Joint cooperation and communication at all levels will contribute to knowledge transfer, while the MED GIAHS network will work on promoting sustainable agricultural tourism.

The project results will be transferable to all MED-GIAHS locations and will relate to the improvement of sustainable tourism strategies and networks for exchange and support. Expected project results for existing and candidate GIAHS sites in the MED area include common guides for local action plans, the implementation of best practice examples, catalogs, and training and information materials. The main result of the project will be the creation of an innovative tourism-based MED-GIAHS network that will enhance the sustainability of existing and future MED-GIAHS candidates. The ultimate goal, and the desired result for Montenegro, is to include katuns in the GIAHS network so they receive adequate protection and all the benefits provided by this programme.

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