What we achieve
The creation of the MED-GIAHS Network formed by GIAHS sites from the Mediterranean basin. These GIAHS sites have valuable agricultural, landscape, cultural, and natural heritage and resilient ecosystems but, however, face serious threats (climate change, globalization, low competitiveness, depopulation, loss of biodiversity and ancestral knowledge).
Within the MED-GIAHS Network 4 important documents have been produced. They have been the result of interregional cooperation but also local cooperation within each territory in the project.
MED GIAHS STRATEGY
It establishes the common framework for the development of sustainable agricultural tourism in GIAHS sites. It is the basis of the MED-GIAHS network.
The document sets the objectives and the tools to achieve measurable results on tourism and environmental terms. It is the result of the learnings from all the project’s activities.
JOINT GUIDE FOR ACTION PLANS
This methodological guide determines what type of actions are consistent with the initial MED-GIAHS strategy, classifying them to obtain homogeneous action plans.
This guide is a very good tool for future GIAHS sites to elaborate of dynamic conservation action plans but also for actual GIAHS sites to update their current dynamic conservation plans.
JOINT TRAINING PLAN
The project understood training a very important element for GIAHS sites. Then, UNIFI has developed a training plan adressed to local stakeholders within GIAHS sites and potential GIAHS sites to delve into what a GIAHS site is, marketing strategies and gobernance instruments.
This training plan has been executed in the territories with at least 1 training for trainers session and 2 training for stakeholders sessions.
SUSTAINABLE TOURISM CATALOGUES
29 agricultural tourism experiences have been created within the MED-GIAHS project by 5 GIAHS sites in Italy, Morocco and Spain and 3 potential GIAHS sites in Bulgaria, Greece and Montenegro.
All these experiences togehter with 2 other visits to 2 more Moroccan GIAHS sites have been collected in the MED GIAHS Joint Catalogue of Agricultural Tourism Experiences. A very useful document for tourists in order to have a deep understanding of the GIAHS sites. Tourist can find here key information of where to go, what to see, etc.
LOCAL CATALOGUES
Each partner of the project has also elaborated its own catalogue of sustainable agricultural tourism experiences. Though all the experiences are already in the Joint Catalogue, you can find the individual ones below:
CATALOG of Agricultural TOURISM EXPERIENCES linked to the “Bulgarian Rose” Agroecosystem in the Rose Valley area of Pazardzhik Region in Strelcha – Bulgaria
CATALOG of Agricultural TOURISM EXPERIENCES in the agricultural landscapes of mastic cultivation South Chios, North East Aegean- Greece
CATALOG of Agricultural TOURISM EXPERIENCES in the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS) of Olive Groves of the Slopes between Assisi and Spoleto, Italy
CATALOG of Agricultural TOURISM EXPERIENCES through the land of shepherds and cheese Katuns – Montenegro
CATALOG of Agricultural TOURISM EXPERIENCES in the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS) of the Málaga raisins in la Axarquia – Spain
MED GIAHS NETWORK DOCUMENT
The “raison d’être” of this Network has been collected in a document which comprises not only the 4 strategic documents mentioned above (local catalogues not included) but also the guidelines for its correct functioning.
STUDY VISITS AND MUTUAL LEARNING
3 Study visits to 3 GIAHS sites have been organised within the project:
- 1st Study visit: Historical Irrigation System at l’Horta de València GIAHS site, Spain
- 2nd Study visit: Malaga Raisin Production System in La Axarquía GIAHS site, Spain
- 3rd Study visit: Olive Groves of the Slopes between Assisi and Spoleto GIAHS site, Italy
They have generated a deep reflection of the participants on how the farmers, herders, producers and companies are adding value to their products /services while preserving their unique ecosystem.
