The training on Identification of ecosystem types, ecosystem services and stakeholder mapping and analysis will be organized next week (November 13 - 16, 2017) in Nature park Žumberak - Samoborsko gorje, Croatia. This is the first of total 4 planned trainings organized within the ECO- KARST project, all with the aim to build capacities of stakeholders in 7 pilot areas and secure their networking.

The training is organised for representatives of park administrations from 7 pilot areas (Notranjska Regional Park, Nature Park Žumberak-Samoborsko gorje, Kalkalpen National Park, Bukk National Park, Apuseni Nature Park, Protected Landscape Bijambare and National Park Tara). Each project partner with pilot area will provide 3 - 4 participants for training in different fields of expertise: biodiversity expert, GIS expert and stakeholder manager.

The training will be organized based on guiding documents previously developed and using preliminary data on ecosystem types, ecosystem services and stakeholders provided by each pilot area. The activities will include: network survey exercise, technical support for software which will be used, ecosystem mapping, ecosystem services and stakeholder involvement presentations, as well as introduction to guidance package methods and group coaching. After the training, all participants and project partners will go for a field trip in Nature Park Žumberak-Samoborsko gorje.

It is expected that, upon completion of all four trainings, 7 pilot areas will be strengthened by multi sectoral teams of experts competent to perform ecosystem mapping and valuation as well as lead participatory strategic action planning, balancing different interests and finding sustainable solutions.

Previously, a study tour to Austria was organized in September, 2017 which helped stakeholders to better understand the concept of pro-biodiversity business and be able to identify potential for development of this type of business back home. 

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