ECO KARST Ecosystem services of karst protected areas – driving force of local sustainable development
The ECO KARST project aims to contribute to the protection and sustainable development of karst bio-regions in the Danube region based on their valued Ecosystem services*. The project addresses 7 nature protected karst areas in 7 different countries with common features and similar problems.
Rosalia longicorn (Rosalia alpina), National Park Kalkalpen, Austria (Foto: Marek)
The project builds on the opportunity to use the natural heritage of 7 protected areas as an economic development factor. The project will support development, based on a sustainable management and awarness of the vulnerability of karst ecosystems. By doing so, the project will increase pro-biodiversity business (PBB) opportunities.
Bijambare lake, Bosna i Hercegovina (Foto: E. Muratović)
ECO KARST will involve various public and private actors into capacity building, networking and know-how transfer. 7 local action plans and 1 common strategy for karst nature protected areas will be developed by local participatory Ecosystem valorisations. This will upgrade nature conservation and facilitate pro-biodiversity business in the Danube region.
Notranjska regional park, Slovenia (Foto: D. Bordjan)
Pro-biodiversity business models for entrepreneurs in the pilot areas will be developed and best PBB ideas will be widely promoted. Local and transnational networks for experience sharing and promotion will be established. Resulting guidance on how to introduce Ecosystem services and and Pro-biodiversity business will serve as a toolkit for the entire Danube and Dinaric region.
*ES = the benefits people obtain from ecosystems, MA 2006
- Start date
- 01-01-2017
- End date
- 30-06-2019
- Budget in Euro
- Overall: 2 263 661
- ERDF Contribution: 1 427 777
- IPA Contribution: 496 335
- ENI Contribution: 0
- Call number
- Call 1
- Priority
- Environment and culture responsible Danube region
- Specific objective
- Foster sustainable use of natural and cultural heritage and resources
Library
| Filename | Date of upload | |
|---|---|---|
| Development Guide for Pro Biodiversity Business | 23-01-2020 15:10:34 | |
| Mapping of ecosystem services at the regional level-Practical guide | 04-11-2019 10:14:25 | |
| Charter on Establishing a Network for the Conservation of Karst eco-regions | 10-07-2019 15:40:53 | |
| ECO KARST_Common Strategy_web edition.pdf | 30-06-2019 22:21:28 | |
| Action plan_NRP.pdf | 30-06-2019 22:18:33 | |
Project Partners
| Name | Type | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slovenian Forest Service | Lead partner | dragan.matijasic@zgs.si | Slovenia |
| Notranjska Regional Park | ERDF partner | jost.stergarsek@notranjski-park.si | Slovenia |
| Public Institution „Nature Park Žumberak - Samoborsko gorje“ | ERDF partner | kristijan.brkic@park-zumberak.hr | Croatia |
| Kalkalpen National Park | ERDF partner | christoph.nitsch@kalkalpen.at | Austria |
| Global Nature Fund – International Foundation for Environment and Nature | ERDF partner | hoermann@globalnature.org | Germany |
Project News
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ECO KARST - ECO KARST – finalist of the Natura 2000 Award
- 07-06-2020
We are thrilled to inform you that ECO KARST project has been nominated as a finalist of the European Natura 2000 Award! In this 5th edition, 27 projects were selected as finalists and the high-level Jury is now considering the short list. Five...
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ECO KARST - ECO KARST Final Conference: The Future of Pro Biodiversity Businesses in Protected Areas of the Danube region
- 28-06-2019
ECO KARST project has come to the successful ending and the Final conference was held in Postojna, Slovenia. Around 100 project partners, experts, academia, government officials, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders from 10 different countries...
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ECO KARST - Pro Biodiversity Award in the Bükk National Park
- 28-06-2019
Activities in protected natural areas can only be successful if the people living there find the opportunity for improving their lives while respecting the law of nature. In protected areas, certain activities are limited by nature conservation...
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ECO KARST - The best PBB entrepreneurs awarded in Croatia
- 28-06-2019
As ECO KARST project is coming to an end, a press conference and PBB award ceremony was held in Žumberak-Samoborsko gorje Nature park. The event was a part of the whole-day programme organized to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the...
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ECO KARST - Pro Biodiversity Award Ceremony organized in Apuseni Nature Park
- 28-06-2019
Between April and May 2019 the Apuseni Natural Park Administration organized a competition within the ECO KARST project, whose purpose was to identify local businesses that correspond to the Pro Biodiversity model. To participate in this contest,...
