Forest for society – Forest without barriers (FOR SOC)

Project facts

Project promoter:
National Forest Centre
Project Number:
SK08-0034
Target groups
Students,
Disabled
Status:
Completed
Initial project cost:
€882,123
Final project cost:
€740,756
From Norway Grants:
€ 535,197
The project is carried out in:
Košický kraj

Description

The project focuses on the establishment of cross-border partnership aimed to support tourism development and its promotion together with increasing the capacity of multifunctional forest management to fulfill social functions. The objective is to corporate partnership, strengthening economical cooperation and support sustainable development, tourism and interpretation of natural sources. The demonstration educational and tourism objects (adventure trail, animal feeders, observation towers, bird watching spots, oxygen sport trail, etc.) will be constructed. Trained foresters, ecologists, students of forestry and natural sciences will implement model activities promoting the idea of forests as a healthy and friendly environment for everyone and anyone without restrictions. Mutual Slovak-Ukraine-Norway educational and tourist close-to-nature events for 120 persons, forest summer camp in English for 40 kids, the Forest Fest Celebration and the international conference will facilitate exchange of experience, knowledge, formal and informal communication, better mutual understanding, improve language skills, allow to explore cultural and natural heritage. The target groups are students, disabled and small and medium-sized enterprises (SME). The created cross-border partnership consisting of diverse institutions from Slovakia, Ukraine and Norway will enable pooling knowledge, transfer of best practices, methods and approaches for forest related recreation development.

Summary of project results

At the beginning it was observed the interest area lacks appropriate tourism infrastructure and activities enhancing recreational potential of the region, healthy active lifestyle, active outdoor pursuits and leisure activities promoting the region. The project focused on the establishment of cross-border partnership aimed at supporting tourism development and its promotion (especially forest tourism) together with increasing the capacity of multifunctional forest management to fulfil social functions and offer services for forest visitors and tourists including young generation and people with special needs. 18 organisations joined a mutual Slovakia-Ukraine cluster, aimed at corporating partnership, strengthening economic cooperation and support sustainable development, tourism and interpretation of natural sources. The created cross-border partnership consisting of institutions from Slovakia, Ukraine and Norway will enable pooling knowledge, transfer of best practices, methods and approaches for forest related recreation development. The partnership is aimed at creation of model educational facilities and setting up model experiential outdoor programmes and activities for various target groups. The new infrastructure facilities dedicated to recreation, information and education appeared. In total 16 interactive educational sites, 7 educational trails, 67 information boards and 9 shelters, including access for the disabled, have been constructed or renovated. A survey was undertaken among forest visitors, tourists, pupils and teachers and people with special needs. The result of the survey clearly showed interest among the public for improvements to tourist infrastructure, interactive facilities of forestry education, adventure programs of forestry education and the building of disabled access facilities within build-up area recreation zones and forest parks. Educational activities were undertaken in the form of field trips, an educational course termed the forest guide, adventure programs for the young, development of educational materials, a workshop on forestry education and the publication of Selected examples of forestry education from Norway and Slovakia. Four study trips were undertaken in Slovakia, Ukraine and Norway upon which 120 participants from Ukraine and Slovakia took part. All together 39 SK and UA participants successfully completed the forest guide course and over 70 children attended the adventure program. Interactive educational material on the theme Carpathian Forest fauna and flora was developed, as well.

Summary of bilateral results

- publication Selected examples of forestry education from Norway and Slovakia presents was prepared in cooperation with the Norway partner. Its main goal is to transfer knowledge and positive examples from Norway and Slovakia to all partners. - very good feedback was on the Forest Summer camp organised in Slovakia. Therefore, we have taken the opportunity and added the second Forest camp in Norway among other activities by modification of the project. Children got to know forests and countryside in both countries as well as most importantly building friendships in the spirit of the camp slogan: Forest-Friends-Forever. - Our Norway project partner took part on each of the project meetings and with active participation added to improvement of knowledge and transfer of the good examples of work - exchange of experience with entities in the Donor States (e.g. study visits, conferences, meetings) - Wide effects (beyond the project) generated through joint initiatives with an entity in the Donor states – e.g. both Summer camps created possibility for young people to begin long-lasting friendships - Shared results achieved – based on the experience from the Study trip in Norway Ukrainian partner organized „training on the establishment of the digital maps “. This method was in Norway used for popularization of forest pedagogy (using technology can bring the young people back to forests) - Improved knowledge and mutual understanding developed between partners and participants on the joint project activities - Cooperation led to increased visibility (e.g. media coverage in connection with bilateral activity)