The new phase of the Via Dinarica Project, worth 2 million Euro, was officially announced by the signing of an agreement in Sarajevo by H. E. Marco Di Ruzza, Ambassador of Italy to BiH and Steliana Nedera, Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The aim of the next three-year phase, which will be financed by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), is the further promotion of the Via Dinarica destination on the global tourist map and the provision of support to all key stakeholders in restarting and strengthening tourism along the Via Dinarica trails, with the aim of supporting sustainable tourism in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The project offers a new perspective on the future of nature-based tourism in Bosnia and Herzegovina, aimed at green development strengthened by new technologies and innovations.
On this occasion, Ambassador Marco Di Ruzza emphasized that he is excited to sign this agreement for the new phase of the Via Dinarica project in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“The Via Dinarica project is an important step towards sustainable tourism in the country, and we are proud to support its development,” said Di Ruzza.
From a pioneer in promoting outdoor, adventure, and rural tourism in BiH Via Dinarica has developed into a globally recognized regional tourism destination that is featured in world-known publications or, as National Geographic put it: “What was once a contentious region has become the planet’s most exciting cross-border destination.”
Via Dinarica has also played a key role in supporting domestic tourism during the COVID-19 pandemic and has created new jobs and opportunities for sustainable livelihoods in the rural communities along its trails.
Nedera stressed the strong partnership between UNDP, the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) and the Italian Embassy in Sarajevo towards creating a better future for youth, protecting our environment, fighting against climate change, and strengthening rural tourism.
“The Italian government has been a vital partner in advancing UNDP’s agenda, and we look forward to deepening cooperation in order to jointly support the progress of Bosnia and Herzegovina, especially in the field of tourism,” said UNDP Resident Representative in BiH.
She thanked all partners involved in the Via Dinarica project, relevant institutions – the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the FBiH Ministry of Environment and Tourism and the Ministry of Tourism and Trade of Republika Srpska, which have been a reliable partner and will remain so in the new phase of Via Dinarica.
In the next three years, the project will support all key stakeholders to restart and strengthen tourism along the Via Dinarica trails, which pave the way towards sustainable tourism in Bosnia and Herzegovina, UNDP announced.
It will also focus on building the capacity of local communities, supporting sustainable tourism practices, economic empowerment of women and promoting gender equality in the tourism sector.
