Local Initiatives Programme Programme description This programme was aimed at the institutional development of NGOs and other non-profit organisations, strengthening their commitment to nature protection and cross-border cooperation. A call for small grants proposals was announced to local NGOs and other non-profit organisations including schools, academic institutions, culture centres, libraries, tourist organisations and local authorities. Grants of up to EUR 5,000 per project were awarded for projects to be implemented in the Neretva River Delta that were focused on biodiversity protection, sustainable development and wise use of natural resources. Thirty-six proposals were received and evaluated (15 in Croatia and 21 in Bosnia and Herzegovina) and local advisory boards awarded grants to the best 14 project proposals (six in Croatia, eight in Bosnia and Herzegovina). Projects were monitored in both countries.  Projects in Bosnia and Hercegovina Project name: Cleaning, arranging and revitalisation of fishing areas Organisation: Dunjac Biletici-Citluk sport fishermen's association Approved budget: EUR 3,000 Summary: The main activities within this project were: cleaning of solid waste from the river bed and banks; removal of burned trees from the river banks; planting trees on the banks; and introducing additional endemic fish species. Project name: Morphological characteristics and legends of the Neretva River basin Organisation: Civil Engineering Faculty, University of Mostar Approved budget: EUR 3,000 Summary: The aim of the project was to present the morphological characteristics of the Neretva River basin and correlate them with karst legends and karst phenomena. Personal experiences of people from the Neretva area are described in reference to the origin of the legends. The legends referenced the karst phenomenon, meaning the geomechanical processes of karst formation and reclassification of the sinkhole system. Project name: Healthy schools for a healthy future Organisation: Institute for Public Health Mostar Approved budget: EUR 2,000 Summary: The aim of the project was to improve the knowledge and skills of students from local schools to protect nature and the environment. Through ecological workshops, the children's attitude towards the environment changed for the better. The workshops demonstrated that a positive approach toward the environment can improve the quality of the students' lives and health. Project name: Protection of wild horses in the Hutovo Blato area Organisation: Hutovo Blato Nature Park Karaotok-Capljina Approved budget: EUR 3,000 Summary: The project registered and marked all wild horses in Hutovo Blato area. The project focused on monitoring and protecting these animals. Furthermore, the project identified real and potential dangers to the wild horse population and evaluated measures for conservation. Rangers from the Hutovo Blato Nature Park help implement this project. The project was realised with the help of the NGO Mocvara from Capljina and the Agronomy Faculty from the University of Mostar. Project name: Possibilities for establishing a temperate freshwater fish farm Organisation: Faculty of Agronomy, University of Mostar Approved budget: EUR 3,000 Summary: In the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, people consume on average 2.6 kilograms of fish per year. The nutritional value of fish and the demand for this food are both significant. For these reasons, the project aimed to develop possibilities to increase fish production in the Neretva Delta by exploring locations, techniques and economic conditions for cultivating temperate freshwater fish species. The Neretva Delta region is very suitable for this type of activity. Project name: Developing the ecological awareness of elementary students through the farming on school grounds of endemic vegetable species from the Neretva Delta region Organisation: Croatian Agronomy Association of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina Approved budget: EUR 2,000 Summary: The project was implemented in cooperation with 21 schools in the region, as well as with the Institute for Education. The goals of the project were to: raise awareness; educate; present basic principles of sustainable development; and promote networking between schools and NGOs. Project name: Gaining knowledge and learning how to use endemic, medicinal plants from the Herzegovina karst Organisation: Mocvara nature association, Capljina Approved budget: EUR 2,000 Summary: “School in nature” workshops were held in cooperation with the local Red Cross. Two workshops were organised, one focusing on medicinal plants occurring in the springtime and the second on those found in the autumn. The elementary schools from Capljina and Neum participated. The main goals of the project were raising environmental awareness and strengthening the networking capabilities of schools in the area. Project name: Ecology through practical teaching — eco-classes in nature Organisation: Lijepa Nasa ecological association, Capljina Approved budget: EUR 2,000 Summary: This project incorporated seven different environmental themes into the teaching plans and programmes of local elementary schools. The themes are: the ecosystem of swamps, river ecosystems, the underground world, sea ecosystems, mountain ecosystems, natural and cultural heritage, and anthropological aspects of the region. The project included field trips for 40 pupils and five teachers. Work focused on group and individual learning strategies. This dual approach resulted in a steeper learning curve for environmental awareness. Cover story 1 Project name: Education of young people about the endangered biodiversity of the Neretva Delta NGO: BUNA Croatian Ecological Society Project summary: The project was carried out in cooperation with the elementary schools of Marin Drzic in Buna and Vladimir Pavlovic in Capljina (children from in grades six to eight). Information on endangered species of the Neretva Delta was provided through lectures, literature and artistic events. Teachers of biology, Croatian and art delivered lectures. On International Environment Day, an exhibition and competition of the best work was held. Student works were published in a brochure. The NGO made a calendar for 2002 from the best artworks and photos. TV, radio and the local newspaper covered all the activities. Based on the project results and wide media coverage, this project was anounced as the best of the programme by the local advisory board, and garnered organisers a personal computer. Amount approved: EUR 2,509. Cover story 2 Project name: Protecting and saving the bird nests of Sand Martin NGO: Our Beautiful, Stolac Project summary: The project sought to protect bird nests in Sand Martin, on the lower reaches of the Neretva River. Nesting spots have been degraded and lost permanently due to frequent floods, exploitation of sand, exploitation of the ground, pollution and more. Because of the shrinking number of birds in Sand Martin, the NGO decided to take measures to protect nests from further damage. At a round table meeting held in the course of the project, recommendations were made concerning long-term plans for the protection of Sand Martin and its nests. Amount approved: EUR 1,543 Projects in Croatia Project name: Amphibians of the Neretva Delta Organisation: Visnja Bukvic, Lijepa nasa Metkovic Metkovic Approved budget: EUR 2,800 Summary: Research and documention of amphibian species in the area, education of youths and others about the importance of preserving amphibians from extinction with the help of publications, leaflets, posters and radio broadcasts Project name: Biodiversity of the Neretva Delta — practical education on the richness of local flora and fauna and what needs to be preserved Organisation: Vlatka Scetaric, Eleonora in Zagreb and Healthy Town in Metkovic Approved budget:EUR 4,350 Summary: Representatives from NGOs and the local community gathered to learn about nature protection and biodiversity conservation in the surrounding area. Educational materials were created for local children. Project name: Significant caves in the Lower Neretva Valley Organisation: Spiljar, Split and Matrix Croatica, Opuzen Approved budget: EUR 4,150 Summary: Creation of a video film on important caves in the Lower Neretve Valley. The project was carried out in cooperation with the primary school in Opuzen, with organisation of workshops and cooperation with school eco-groups. Project name: Sustainable use of chemicals in agriculture Organisation: Darko Popic, Lopoc, Opuzen Approved budget: EUR 4,200 Summary: Radio shows, leaflets, posters and professional lectures were made or organised on the subject. The local community was involved by way of organising lectures, purchasing and exposing containers for the packing material of protective chemicals. Legal ways of disposing of this kind of toxic material were promoted. Project name: Let's learn about Norin vegetation Organisation: Don Mihovil Pavlinovic primary school, Metkovic Approved budget: EUR 1,500 Summary: A school group performed field research at the source of the Norin River. Results of their work were presented through workshops, posters, lectures, discussions, TV shows and newsletters in the local community. All materials were published on a CD-ROM for use in the regular school curriculum. Project name: Eco-bulletin for the school children of Ploce Organisation: Ana Musa, Lijepa Nasa, Ploce Approved budget: EUR 3,000 Summary: This was a continuation of a project that began in 2001. New issues of the bulletin will be created, published and distributed to local schools, the public, environmental organisations and NGOs in the same county. Cover story 1 Project name: Biodiversity of the Neretva Delta — practical education on the richness of local flora and fauna and what needs to be preserved Project Leader: Vlatka Scetaric Legan NGO: Society for the Conservation of Nature and Environment, Eleonora, and Metkovic Healthy City The Lower Neretva Valley contains the largest and the most valuable remnants of Mediterranean wetlands on the eastern Adriatic coast. Recently, some of these wetlands were destroyed because of the human regulation of streams and the drainage of wetlands for agricultural purposes. Even in its current condition, from a biological and landscape-diversity standpoint, the Lower Neretva Valley is of international importance. As such, the valley is mentioned in the Ramsar List and is considered an Important Bird Area. In 2003, in cooperation with the Society for the Conservation of Nature and Environment, Eleonora and Metkovic Healthy City, the project was initiated. Objectives were to research conservation needs for fauna and flora and to develop methods for education on the subject. The project included field trips for educators and school children, a traditional boat was arranged and a workshop for educators and school children was carried out. Products of the project were: an educational poster on the flora of the Neretva Delta; an educational poster about birds of the Neretva Delta; a map for birdwatchers to promote the activity to tourists; a poster about local Mediterranean wetlands, which aimed to spread the word about this conservation problem through local, national and international networks; and an educational guide for fieldwork with school children.   As part of the project, an exhibition on the biodiversity of Neretva Delta was organised in the Public Library of Metkovic. Cover story 2 Small grants project: From willow wood branches to basket Project leader: Nediljka Penovic NGO: Lopoc (Water Lilly) ecological society The aim of the project was to teach students of the elementary school in Opuzen how to create a delta souvenir based on the traditional wickerwork in the Neretva region. Through the workshop held at the school during September and October of 2001, students learned to make baskets from willow wood. Wickerwork was promoted through several school exhibitions and school board newspapers in Opuzen, as well as via a leaflet that was disseminated to the local community and media. A final presentation of the project was given at Opuzen Town Hall in November 2001. Attendees included local residents, elementary school principals, news reporters, students and representatives of local NGOs and local authorities. A brief account of the workshop and exhibition was made twice on the local TV programme, Cantonal View on October 5 and November 5. Brief notices were published in the newspapers Jutarnji (October 27 and December 13) and Slobodna Dalmacija (October 24). Nediljka Penovic, the project leader, with her colleagues from the elementary school, continued the workshop as an optional activity for students, and implemented it in the curriculum for the 2001-2002 school year. The teachers have been in contact with tourist associations to promote the souvenirs. Because the project raised hope in the local community that traditional wickerwork would be revived, the Lopoc NGO hopes to establish a corporation in the elementary school dedicated to the production of wicker souvenirs.

Introduction Activities Local Initiatives Programme:     Description     In Bosnia and     Herzegovina         Cover story 1         Cover story 2     In Croatia         Cover story 1         Cover story 2 Photo gallery   Other sites: West Stara Planina Skadar Lake