RORS00127: Project Overview

The project aims to address multiple environmental challenges identified in the program’s territorial analysis. These include: expanding green infrastructure to connect habitats, strengthen ecological corridors and protected sites, reduce landscape fragmentation, and enhance recreational potential; improving air quality monitoring and noise reduction measures; enhancing the protection and preservation of nature, biodiversity, and green infrastructure; reducing all forms of pollution; and supporting the closure and rehabilitation of substandard and illegal landfill sites.

Specific Objective

The specific objective of the project is to contribute to the joint sustainable development of local communities neighboring the Mlaștina Satchinez (ML) and Karaš–Nera (KN) nature protected areas (NPAs), through the direct involvement of local stakeholders.

Stakeholder Involvement

Local communities, NPA managers, and specialists will be actively engaged in activities to conserve species, rehabilitate habitats, develop green infrastructure (GI), promote the sustainable use of natural resources, and combat environmental pollution, especially air and water pollution.

Target Groups

• Project partner staff
• Local stakeholders
• NPA managers and specialists
• Participants in project events and activities
• Local and county communities (adults, students, and children)

Partner Roles

Each partner will implement specific technical activities, with community involvement, to support species conservation, habitat rehabilitation, green infrastructure development, and joint measures to improve air and water quality.

Planned Outputs

• Development of 3 ha of green infrastructure for cultural, touristic, and educational benefits
• Rehabilitation of 46 ha of habitats for economic, cultural, community, and educational use
• Three pilot actions for joint air and water quality monitoring
• One joint strategy and one air quality monitoring system
• Participation of 940 people in joint project activities

Main Activities

• Preparing and implementing a joint monitoring system for protected species, ecosystem services, and natural resource use in ML and KN NPAs
• Joint monitoring of air and water quality in the local communities neighboring ML and KN NPAs
• Clearing illegal dumps and managing litter in ML and KN NPAs
• Establishing a joint coordination body to strengthen ecological and educational capacities at local and regional levels
• Developing and promoting the GREEN PATH – A Joint Strategy and Action Plan for Satchinez and Bela Crkva communes on pollution management, biodiversity protection, landscape management, and sustainable use of natural resources
• Clearing reed surfaces in ML NPA
• Planting trees and bush lines
• Managing pastures and hay meadows in ML NPA
• Preparing thematic pathways in ML and KN NPAs
• Organizing eco-awareness raising activities
• Developing and operating a mobile “Educational Ecological Visitor Center” in KN NPA

Approach

1. Green infrastructure development and habitat rehabilitation, including waste management
2. Monitoring key environmental factors, especially air and water quality
3. Public awareness campaigns
4. Capacity building and motivation of local stakeholders through direct involvement in project activities
5. Innovative methods, such as citizen science for air quality monitoring and ecosystem services mapping

Communication Activities

• Organizing conferences and workshops
• Publishing articles
• Producing informational and promotional materials
• Preparing online platforms

Management Activities

Project reporting, public procurements, communication with the Managing Authority, the Joint Secretariat, the First Level Control (FLC), and third parties.

Cross-Border Rationale

The cross-border approach is essential due to the geographic characteristics of the project area. The entire project area belongs to the Pannonian bio-region, with common biodiversity and environmental features that shape the quality of life of local communities. Since environmental factors such as air and water do not recognize national borders, addressing pollution and biodiversity conservation is only possible through the joint involvement of border communities.

Innovation

This project introduces a novel approach: local communities have never before been so actively involved in managing natural resources and environmental features. Moreover, no previous joint strategy or action plan for pollution management, biodiversity protection, landscape management, and sustainable resource use has been developed in the target area.