Cross – border protection of Middle Danube

Association for Nature and Environment Protection Green Osijek in cooperation with the National Park Danube – Drava, implementing the project “Cross-Border Protection of the Middle Danube” funded under the IPA Cross Hungary – Croatia (2007 – 2013). Project started on 1st September 2011.

The project aims to encourage sustainable management and protection of the Middle Danube region through cross-border cooperation of project partners in raising environmental awareness and knowledge of the local population. Project implementation area is ??the Danube region of Osijek – Baranja County and in Hungary, Baranya megye. The most valuable natural areas are located in Croatian Hungarian Danube border area – Kopacki Rit Nature Park, Danube Drava National Park, Natura 2000 sites. Together they form a unique natural area divided by administrative boundaries of the two countries.

Danube River is threatened due to unsustainable human activities such as wastewater discharge, intensive agriculture, regulation of the river, loss of wetlands. The project will develop strong regional identity of the local population as well as environmental responsibility, pride in their natural heritage and knowledge on sustainable management of natural resources.

The project will create new innovative educational programs for the whole border area of ??the Danube and the impact on major issues. The new bilingual (HU – HR) educational program will include education on the Danube cross – border area. New educational workshops will be designed for the education of local population about the natural values ??of the Danube, and drawing attention to specific environmental problems.

The project will record the first documentary to show Croatian – Hungarian Danube region as a unique natural area and will be broadcast to the local population, tourists and students who are the target group of the project. Promotional activities (flyers, media announcements, study tours of teachers and the website) will increase the public interest. Students and teachers will see new educational programs in cross-border visits.

The project will organize a 4 full-day thematic sessions for children living in the region as a new educational program implementation to meet them with the values ??of the Kopacki Rit. Also, there will be a competition “Future of the Danube” – for children by which they will have opportunity to learn about the natural, cultural and ethnographic values ??of the Middle Danube, with prizes for the winners.

One of the main results will be the establishment of long-term cooperation partners (DDNP and Green Osijek) in education and protection of this part of the Danube as a unique and common natural resource. All printed materials and products will be bilingual (HU – HR) in order to raise knowledge of both language and allow easier cross-border communication for local people. The project will increase visits to the area, as well as income from tourism.

This webpage has been produced with the financial assistance of the European Union. The content of the webpage is the sole responsibility of Association for nature and environment protection Green Osijek and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the European Union and/or the Managing Authority.

28-03-2012