MEDS GARDEN

The cultural heritage, of which the landscape is an integral part, is of public interest within the cultural, ecological, environmental, and social sectors, and even represents an opportunity for economic growth. There is no guarantor dedicated to maintaining the region’s authentic identity, or creating places dedicated to Mediterranean vegetation and culinary tradition, as an area of interest and of tourism appeal. The program area’s common challenge was to prevent changes to the region’s biodiversity, to reduce the negative impact of mass tourism, and to preserve and maintain the sustainability of the local heritage linked to edible Mediterranean flora. The project’s goal was including native Mediterranean crops in the process of developing sustainable tourism, and to involve the public in the creation of the surrounding environment, as well as to preserve and promote a high quality cultural landscape. The project’s 2 main direct results were creation of 5 Mediterranean Gardens, and an increase in the flow of visitors to cross-border tourist destinations through educational tourism, cognitive tourism, and a cross-border network of Mediterranean Gardens. Within the context of the Mediterranean Gardens themselves, educational and learning centres were created, with the aim of maintaining the biodiversity and cultural heritage of the northern Adriatic region, introducing new skills and knowledge, disseminating a culture of responsible tourism, and expanding the tourism offering. The Mediterranean Gardens and their educational centres are for visitors, students, tourists, and SMEs, as well as for the tourism industry as an educational garden, where visitors can experiment with specific Mediterranean varieties and build respect for the environment. Thanks to the cross-border partnership, the exchange of experience, and the joint promotion of innovation/educational tourism, the project has provide us the expertise necessary to become a recognisable European green destination.