Project „Cross – border protection of Middle Danube“ successfully finished

From 1st September 2011 to 30th December 2012, project partners, Ecological association for nature and environment protection Green Osijek, National park Danube – Drava and Agency for management of protected natural areas in Osijek – baranja county implemented the project “Cross – border protection of Middle Danube”, financed through IPA cross – border programme Hungary – Croatia (2007 – 2013).

The goal of the project was to ensure sustainable management and cross – border protection of Middle Danube. Area of project implementation was Danube region – Baranja in Croatia and Baranja County in Hungary. The most valuable natural areas in cross – border Danube region will become a part of NATURA 2000 (Nature Park Kopački rit, Danube, Drava) Together they form a unique natural area, divided by administrative borders between two countries.

One of the first project activities was the study trip to Austria, Slovakia and Hungary in which the project partners learned about examples of good practice in protected areas, implementation of educational activities and building cooperation.
New educational programmes have been developed through the project for the whole cross – border Middle Danube area with the goal of targeting the main nature conservation issues. New bilingual (HU – HR) educational programmes consist of four workshops: Living rivers, Flood forests, Energy education and Water analysis. Through these workshops the students learn about conservation and sustainable management of natural resources, as well as threats and consequences of poor management. Within the project an educational documentary film was produced, presenting cross – border Danube area as a unique space, describing the differences between free flowing and regulated river, good and bad examples of river management. Film serves as an educational tool in new workshops in Eco centre Zlatna Greda and White stork museum. Interactive sand tables have also been made; displaying the differences between free flowing and regulated river and effects that river has on the environment (flood forests, biodiversity, quality of life, transport). Sand tables are also used as tool for workshops and have been very well received both by students and teachers.

School in nature programme has been organised for four schools from the region, and also form the Hungarian side. Students learned about the protection of rivers and flood forests, renewable energy sources and energy efficiency and water analysis. After the workshops, students filled out the worksheets and got rewarded for the best results. Students that won went on the day trip to Hungarian National Park Danube – Drava, visited The Museum of Mohacs battle, White Stork Museum and natural attraction of the national park. Hungarian schools also participated in the competition and their best students came to Eco centre Zlatna Greda and Nature Park Kopački rit. Two study visits for teachers (biology, geography, pedagogues, etc.) have been organized in Eco centra Zlatna Greda and National Park Danube – Drava. They were presented with new educational programmes and workshops. All project materials (outputs) have been produced bilingually (Croatian, Hungarian) due to better cross – border communication and cooperation.
Road signs directing to Eco centre Zlatna Greda and White stork Museum have been placed for better visibility and promotion. Billboards promoting new educational programmes have also been placed.

Photographs of project activities can be viewed here.

Brochure “Middle Danube”
Leaflet “New educational workshops”
Movie “Middle Danube – Heart of European Wilderness”
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.

13-03-2013