NATURKOSOVO
THE NATURAL AND
CULTURAL CAPITAL
IN KOSOVO AND
THE SUSTAINABLE
TOURISTIC
DEVELOPMENT
OF VIA DINARICA


GENERAL INFORMATION:
- institutions: 8 national and 4 local
- enterprises: 40
- civil society: 26 associations and groups

PROJECT BACKGROUND
The Via Dinarica is a hiking route established recently in 7 Western Balkan countries crossed by the Dinaric Alps chain (Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, Serbia and Kosovo).
The NATURKOSOVO project mainly addresses the territory and the communities of Via Dinarica in Kosovo, located in the north-western part of the country, including the municipalities of Peja, Decan, Junik, and the National Park Bjeshkët e Nemuna. At the same time, the project is meant to have an impact at national level and to benefit also other mountain areas and communities of Kosovo.

GENERAL INFORMATION:
- institutions: 8 national and 4 local
- enterprises: 40
- civil society: 26 associations and groups


GOAL
The NATURKOSOVO initiative is meant to contribute to the sustainable touristic development in Kosovo. It enhances the cultural, historical, and natural resources of the country, generating sustainable development and creating job opportunities for local communities, supporting the local institutions in the governance of tourism and in the promotion of the Kosovar part of Via Dinarica.
ACTIVITIES
Based on the inputs collected from institutions, local authorities and stakeholders in the need assessment phase, the project is built around 4 pillars of intervention:
- Enhancement of the offer and the quality of nature and cultural itineraries of the Kosovar part of Via Dinarica, through the improvement of the trails and the promotion of integrated thematic paths that value the local peculiarities of Via Dinarica
- Building the coordination capacities of the local actors and authorities with regard to the Via Dinarica heritage, implementing an alpine rescue system, creating a consortium for the management of the “Via Dinarica – Kosovo” brand, and though the exchange of experiences and good practices with actors of other areas of the Via Dinarica (Bosnia, Albania)
- Reinforcement of the socio-economic conditions of local communities, through a regranting programme for the improvement of the touristic services along the Via Dinarica, and through technical-vocational training programmes for businesses providing different services related to sustainable tourism
- Promotion of the “Via Dinarica – Kosovo” touristic brand at regional and international level, through its integration into the existing touristic networks, a branding campaign, an awareness-raising campaign about biodiversity and the natural heritage of Via Dinarica targeting kids and youth, and sector events at national level.
PHOTOS AND VIDEOS
