Project content

Project summary

The common natural heritage of Austria and Hungary in the western Pannonian region is characterized by a diversity that is unique in Europe and that can be experienced all year round due to the topographical and climatic conditions - a potential that has so far only been used to a limited extent. Overarching project goals are therefore a coordinated valuation of this natural heritage on the basis of a network of protected area administrations, which has existed since 2008, which in turn has an excellent network with the key players in regional development, as well as the development and optimization of sustainable, cross-border, barrier-free and innovative nature tourism offers.

Other important project goals are the joint qualitative and quantitative further development of visitor programs in the protected areas, the development of a common understanding of nature tourism, complementary environmental education and awareness-raising measures, the development of programs and infrastructure for people with disabilities, and the extension of the nature tourism season by the stronger one Involvement of tourism organizations.

The EU cofinanced Interreg V-A Austria-Hungary programme supports cooperation projects across the border region of Austria and Hungary. The main objective is to strengthen economic, social, cultural and ecologic contacts in the border region and to enhance regional competitiveness, contemporaneous weakening of regional disparities.

Austria and Hungary share a long history concerning cross-border cooperation. The framework of the programmes (PHARE, CBC, Interreg II-A, III-A and ETZ) which started 1995 was improved continuously. The cooperation and interaction between people, companies and institutions became self-evident, not only in the financed projects but in everyday life. This positive development will also be supported in the current period 2014-2020.

The planned activities of the project include the areas of offer and product development, joint training and further education, public relations and marketing as well as the establishment of nature tourism infrastructure in the individual protected area regions. The representatives and employees of the 14 participating protected areas are already looking forward to fruitful cooperation in this unique project, which will be implemented by the end of 2013.