The key to this project is

• successful creation of short trail, using local people and materials, means that we can be confident of the costs and of the effectiveness of the trail design
• measurement of impact of the trail on the local economy in 2011 means that we can be confident that predicted benefits will emerge
• such a network will act as a catalyst,
  • bringing suitable nature-loving visitors to the area, who will support the local economy by staying in local guest houses, buying local food and handicraft products, and using the landscape sustainably, not destructively
  • getting local schools involved in green projects and nature education
  • getting local authorities more involved in green development
  • linking tourism providers – guesthouses, food producers, craftsmen, nature guides etc. – aroung a central theme, a map with a trail and other promotional materials and devices – in order to create a cooperative greeen enterprise activities of broad community benefit.

Thus we hope to create a green network or infrastructure, “owned” by local communities, that will catalyze local cooperation in the development of green enterprises. Impact will be to reduce rural poverty, bring a diversified source of long term prosperity, and reduce the migration of young people to urban areas.

NFS is an ideal partner in this project, as its mission and practical experience in

• tourism and leisure activities that are socially equitable and in tune with nature
• protection, preservation and dynamic interpretation of natural and cultural heritage

precisely matches the aims of this current project.

NFS will bring skills and experience to raise Romanian partner capacity, in many aspects of the project but especially

• improved/innovative communication methods for promoting the network and for building community participation
• ideas for festivals and scholls activities
• ideas for improving the process of the creation of a network of green product and service providers around the central theme of the mountain bike trail
• ideas for improving local community participation in local policy-making, so that local people become more actively involved in the sustainable development of their area.

Target groups

• directly, up to 70 green tourism service providers. There are mainly women. These will benefit from higher tourist incomes.
• indirectly, 10,000 small-scale farming families, 30,000 people, living below the poverty line in the area. Many of these will benefit from increased community prosperity, for example through the purchase of local products to supply the increased tourist volume.
• vulnerable economic groups in the area – project will employ at least 20 people in each commune, seasonally, to built the trails, from unemployed mainly vulnerable people
• 5 local authorities, in order to increase their support for green development of the area
• 5 schools, especially schoolteachers and schoolchildren between class V and class VIII (10-14 years old) who have the most time in their curriculum for these activities -125 schoolchildren class V-VIII
• Visitors – at least 3,000 per year, who will benefit from green tourism activities.