First GREENHEALTH inter-regional learning conference
The "Public Institution for the management of Protected Natural Areas of Dubrovnik-Neretva County" hosted a successful Inter-regional learning conference as part of the GREENHEALTH project on 22 and 23 November 2023. This event brought together partners and stakeholders dedicated to boost biodiversity protection and people's health and well-being. This two-day event took place in Dubrovnik and partners had the chance to visit its natural sites as part of the study visits.
Participants included both project partners and representatives of their stakeholders.
The event was opened by Nikolina Đangradović from the Public instutution for management of protected natural areas of Dubrovnik-Neretva county, followed by Sivio Markota, acting director in Administrative department for environmental protection and communal affairs of the county.
He emphasised the importance of urban green infrastructure, positively affecting people's physical and mental health. Green spaces in cities also have a significant beneficial cooling effect in the surrounding environment, since heat waves associated with climate change carry a number of health risks. Last but not least, green urban areas enable physical activity and relaxation and are a refuge from noise.
The first input was provided by Carles Castell, long-standing meber of the EUROPARC Federation Healthy Parks Healthy People Europe Commission (Project Advisory Partner). Mr Castell showcased the experience of the Diputacio' Barcelona in implementing its Nature and Health strategy and highlighted how the actions could be methodologically linked to the HPHPe toolkit, which is the compass of GREENHEALTH good practice selections. Some of the actions could be integrated and replicated in different context by other administrations.
During the second part of the morning, all project partners together with their stakeholders showcased their selected good practices for the first project thematic area "Protected Areas Management" with relation to health benefits and human well-being.
The project partners gathered after lunch to discuss operational issues such as reporting, communications and dissemination activities.
The highlight of the second day was the study visit organised by the "Public Institution for the management of Protected Natural Areas of Dubrovnik-Neretva County". The partners had the chance to observe the hands on implementation at the local level of the practices from the Croatian partner. The latter included - among others - the Forest Park Velika and Mala Petka, a nature park featuring steep hiking & jogging paths with views of the sea & the Dubrovnik area and the area that has been identified for the pilot actions in Croatia.
You can find the records of the meeting in our new web library and at this link.