As part of the Euro-MED COASTRUST project, the first project event was held at the Buna Hotel, bringing together representatives of regional and local authorities, sectoral institutions, the scientific and professional community and the NGO sector in Herzegovina-Neretva Canton (HNC).
“There are many issues that we are facing regarding these geographical zones of the HNC, from the danger of salinity penetrating deep into the interior, issue of the Upper Horizons, waste management and reducing pollution, protection of endangered plant and animal species, and protection of human health. Sustainable approach to solving environmental and infrastructure problems and sustainable coastal management and the development of the Neum area as a globally recognized year-round tourist destination are also very important. COASTRUST answers only to the part of these questions, but it fits perfectly into our long-term vision of caring for the environment, stimulating economic growth and improving the quality of life of our citizens. This project is one of the necessary mechanisms that will help us continue to act in the planned direction in order to achieve the set goals,” said President of the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton Government, Ms. Marija Buhač addressing the participants.
After the opening greeting, presentation of the COASTRUST project and presentations on the advantages of centralized EU programs in relation to cross-border cooperation, a workshop was held for the representatives of key stakeholders, in which coastal stewardship principles with good examples with the purpose and planned dynamics of the work of the local action group (LAG) were explained. Questionnaire with the questions related to the key documents that can be the basis for a stewardship initiative, scientific and expert materials that emphasize the need for cooperation, as well as questions regarding key natural values, environmental challenges and priority objectives for the conservation of natural values in HNC were presented.
It was jointly agreed that the next meeting will be held in the Municipality of Neum, which is an associated partner of the COASTRUST project, when the responses to the questionnaire would be analyzed and further work related to the adoption of Guidelines for improving natural resource management in the pilot area of the HNC: Neretva Delta and the coastal area in Bosnia and Herzegovina, will continue.
