Local/Regional Economic Development in South ... - Value Chains

equires an intact environment as the prerequisite for its
sustainable use. Nature along the Danube is one of greatest
potentials of the region. There are numerous national
parks and nature reserves. Arguments for greater environmental
protection become more powerful as the economic
value of tourism is realized. Inclusion of larger segments
of the population in the tourist economy creates greater
identification with and responsibility for the natural resources
of the Danube Valley. Project measures to increase
ecological and energy efficiency, as well as introduction of
renewable energy, make a direct contribution to improvement
of the environmental situation in the region.
Other results
The transnational activities to develop the tourism sector
can contribute to normalization of relations between previous
enemies, for example, in the border region between
Serbia and Croatia. The demand for and the resulting necessity
to develop transnational tourist products forces cooperation
at the national, regional, and private levels.
At the international level, cooperation between the numerous
institutions and organizations is being strengthened.
Cooperation and coordination between a multiplicity
of areas (tourism development, marketing, culture,
water management, transportation, the environment, etc.)
is required for development of the tourism sector. Establishing
contacts and coordinating with all involved institutions
and organizations is an important, but also timeconsuming
task.
Lessons learned
For projects of this size, intensive coordination and close
cooperation between the programs/projects implemented
by GTZ in the participating countries is essential. One
project should assume overall coordination.
The volume of technical and financial support by the program/project
in the different countries should be comparable.
The partners in the various countries will not understand
if the level of support in a neighboring country
is significantly higher than at home. This has clear impacts
on the motivation to contribute its own inputs.
Transnational and inter-institutional cooperation has positive
effects on the different national and regional organizations.
The responsible authorities at the national level
and in the regions and municipalities do not want to lag
behind the activities and efforts of their neighbors.
The acquisition of external financial assistance can have
a very positive effect on the willingness of partner organizations
to contribute. The analysis of possible sources
of support and preparation of a joint proposal to EU-
INTERREG IIIB CARDS (third call October 2005) has
been viewed as very valuable support in all participating
countries.
Also in this case, cooperation between countries (including
Hungary) was promoted and the highest government
levels were incorporated into the project.
Special attention should be paid to cooperation with established
organizations – such as, for example, with ARGE
Donau in Vienna. Intensive communication, regular offers
of cooperation, and invitations to all events must be
applied to maintain a healthy climate of cooperation, in
order to prevent counterproductive duplication of activities,
prepare complementary concepts, and promote
synergies in implementation. Ultimately, a certain level
of “competitive pressure” may also motivate cooperation
that arises from the implementation of numerous smaller
quick-win activities.
Recommendations for similar projects
All EDEP programs/projects in the participating countries
must already be included in the planning phase. Project
funds must be reserved early. The extent of assistance measures
and funds, as a share of the overall project, should
be fairly similar.
For projects of this complexity, there is a great need for
coordination, beginning with analyses and concept development
and extending all the way to implementation
of activities. Absolute care must be taken that concrete,
tangible, and quickly visible results are part of the project
work, in order to motivate participation and own contributions
by the stakeholders and to create trust. This can
be concrete tourism products that are developed to the
stage of marketability, marketing activities of all kinds,
seminars, and training, or, for example, the creation of the
Danube Cycling Map.
Contacts
Wolfgang Limbert, GTZ OE 3112 Serbia
wolfgang.limbert@gtz.de
Stefan Krell, consultant
stefankrell@web.de
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