First RURITAGE replicator – Karawanken/Karavanke UNESCO Global Geopark – launched its implementation phase!
After one year and a half of a co-creation process, where RURITAGE replicators created their regeneration plan, the time has now arrived to launch the implementation phase of these large-scale actions.
The implementation phase of the crossborder Karawanken/Karavanke UNESCO Global Geopark, RURITAGE replicator on pilgrimage System Innovation Area, was recently launched in the RURITAGE local hub in a successful event that involved local community and the media.
After a consultation process with local stakeholders in 2019, the Geopark has now a series of activities to be implemented through RURITAGE project. These involve connecting local attractions on both sides of the border by creating tourist packages composed of local food, cross-border history/culture and nature activities; creating a mobile app to facilitate information access; form a network of local food producers and farmers who produce and sell traditional and sustainable products amongst other activities. This strategy aims to boost local pride and provide a sustainable way of living whilst making the region more accessible to visitors.
The implementation phase plan was presented by RURITAGE Rural Regeneration Hub Coordinator, Dr. Darja Komar and Mag. Gerald Hartmann (Geopark Karawanken/Karavanke manager), in both Slovenian and German respectively. Dr. Peter Kaiser, Governor of Carinthia, the southernmost state of Austria where part of the Geopark Karawanken/Karavanke is located, was also present. Dr. Angelika Mlinar, Slovenian minister of development, strategic projects and European cohesion policy was substituted by Ms. Mojca Muršec, Head of the Joint Secretariat INTERREG SI-At, due to illness. Mr. Gerhard Visotschnig, Mayor of the Neuhaus/Suha and Geopark Karawanken/Karavanke chairman, as wellMr. Dušan Krebel, Mayor of Mežica and Geopark Karawanken/Karavanke vice-chairman also attedend the event which attracted several of the local media outlets.
Discussions continued in more informal way while local food was served to the sound of the Suha/Neuhaus Oktet, an a capella choir and the Neuhaus/Suha Primary School choir who sang the official Geopark song.
