Adriaticaves - Sustainable management and touristic promotion of natural and archeological heritage in the Adriatic Caves
Project objective: Establishing and promoting natural and archaeological cave heritage as an alternative product for year-round tourism.
Project description:
The Adriaticaves project focused on the conservation, sustainable management, and promotion of the natural and archaeological heritage of caves as an alternative tourist product available throughout the year. The main goal was to develop sustainable models for the management of show caves and to establish an international network of tourist caves in the ADRION region. Special attention was also devoted to the protection of caves that are not open to the public but are threatened by climate change and illegal waste disposal.
The project was implemented within the INTERREG V-B Mediterranean Transnational Cooperation Programme 2014–2020 and financed by the European Regional Development Fund through the European Territorial Cooperation objective.
Key Activities and Results
An international platform was established for the sustainable management of caves in the ADRION territory, connecting relevant institutions and experts to foster sustainable tourism development.
The "Adriaticaves" show cave trail brand was developed—a new international brand that promotes sustainable tourism development of caves and helps reduce tourism seasonality.
The “Cave Charter”—an international agreement—was created and signed by organizations responsible for cave management, confirming their joint commitment to sustainable management and protection of natural heritage.
An international Action Plan aligned with Directive 92/43/EEC was developed to ensure the protection of cave habitats and balance tourism activity with nature conservation and European legislation.
Project Partners:
Ente Parco Nazionale della Majella (Italy), Public Institution Velebit Nature Park (Croatia), Këshilli I Qarkut Shkodër – RCSH (Albania), Cantonal Public Institution for Protected Natural Areas – CPI (Bosnia and Herzegovina), City of Čačak (Serbia), TP Lipska pećina d.o.o. (Montenegro), Ente di gestione per i Parchi e la Biodiversità-Romagna – EPB-R (Italy)
Project Duration: 30 months (January 2018 – June 2020)
Project Budget: €1,325,236.05
