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Description
The city of Baile Tusnad does not have a Strategy on the evaluation and monitoring of prevention methods against the damage caused by the brown bear, and the capacity of the local mayor''s office is not sufficient to include local civil society, NGOs and tourists in solving problems. The mayor''s office installs electric fences at the request of the locals, but there is no monitoring of the effects and operation of these fences, just as there is no evaluation at the city level about anti-bear containers. At the same time, the lack of communication between locals, tourists and decision-makers makes it difficult for people to live together with bears. The project proposes a solution to this problem through an online platform for watchdog purposes but also through advocacy activities that ensure the society a direct contribution in the elaboration of strategies, brand and internal regulations. After a professional evaluation and monitoring of prevention methods (electric fences, anti-bear containers) we will make 4 video spots about coexistence in the area (online promotion and media), as well as a thematic visiting point. Extracurricular activities will be implemented in middle schools in Baile Tusnad and Surroundings ecotourism destination as well as in TusnadEcoBearFest events where we intend to involve 500 young people who will be coordinated by partner Vox Iuvenitutis Association who has essential experience in non-formal ecological education in mobilizing the young generation. Baile Tusnad City Hall, our other project partner, provides indoor and outdoor spaces for the implementation of activities, experience and expertise in developing the Strategy and it will contribute to citizen mobilization. Our organization will be developed in communication and public relations through trainings, volunteer management and exchange of thematic experience.
Summary of project results
The project addressed the needs of the local community in Băile Tușnad, which previously lacked a strategy for evaluating and monitoring prevention methods against damages caused by brown bears. There was no system in place to monitor the effectiveness of electric fences or to assess the use of anti-bear containers at the city level. Additionally, communication between locals, tourists, and decision-makers regarding human-bear coexistence was insufficient.
Through its implementation, the project carried out several activities aimed at improving this situation. A participatory strategy was developed with active community involvement to guide prevention and coexistence efforts. Extracurricular ecological education activities were introduced in secondary schools in Băile Tușnad and neighboring areas, and these were further incorporated into the TusnadEcoUBearFest events. A mobile application, TusnadEcoBearWatch, was created to enable locals and tourists to report bear-related incidents and damages. The application, designed to be interactive and educational, has registered 513 users so far and is available on both the Play Store and the App Store. An information center named TusnadEcoBearCave was established to provide exhibitions, film screenings, interactive elements, and coordinated presentations for locals and visitors. Additionally, the TusnadEcoBearFest was organized in 2022 and 2023, attracting almost two thousand participants with themed tents hosting presentations and educational activities. The project also included the TusnadEcoBearConference, held in both 2022 and 2023, which brought together participants from seven countries and featured 25 to 30 presentations each year.
The results of these efforts have significantly improved the local situation. A structured approach to human-bear coexistence has been established through the new participatory strategy. Awareness and understanding of ecological and coexistence issues have been enhanced through educational initiatives in schools and public events. The TusnadEcoBearWatch app has become a valuable tool for reporting and education, while the TusnadEcoBearCave has become a hub for disseminating information and fostering engagement. The annual TusnadEcoBearFest has strengthened community involvement and provided an engaging platform for education and dialogue, and the conferences have facilitated international knowledge exchange and raised awareness of the challenges and solutions in human-bear coexistence.
The continuation of these efforts has been ensured by the Project Bag Association, which will further develop and implement activities in 2024–2025. The organizational experience gained through this initiative in areas such as communication, public relations, volunteer management, and thematic knowledge exchange has also contributed to building capacity for future projects.