1.
Future Leaders research
on development
possibilities in the
protected Prespa region

2.
Table of Contents
1.
Introduction
2. Approach, sources and tools used
2.1. SPP – Identity & Actions
2.2. Our team approach
22 O t
h
2.3. Sources and tools used
3.
Key findings
3.1. Stakeholders’ Overview
3.2. Main issues
4.
4
Vision and mission statement
5.
Proposals
6.
Conclusions / Next steps
7.
Learning experience
8.
References
2

3.
1. Introduction
“ We are a team of eight graduate students from different educational
institutions and disciplines (social, economic, financial, engineering,
management, etc.). In the framework of social corporate responsibility, we
undertook the exploration of prospects to preserve and develop the natural
and cultural values and heritage of the protected area of Prespa, while
improving the living standards of the local community in such a feasible and
realistic way .”
3

4.
2. Society for the Protection of
Prespa
Society for the Protection of Prespa
4

5.
2.1. SPP’s Vision
VISION
SO
«Our actions should inspire and initiate active involvement of all local,
national and international stakeholders to protect and promote the natural
and cultural Prespa heritage»
Protection f t l l
P t ti of natural values and cultural heritage
d lt l h it
Stimulating and participation triggering actions
Collaboration of stakeholders in local national and international level
local,
5

6.
2.1. SPP – Identity & Actions
WHO IS SPP:
NGO with the mission to protect the natural and cultural heritage and to
p
g
promote the continuous viable economical development of the entire Prespa
region
ACTIONS:
Protection of the natural heritage
Research and conservation measures for the protection of the Dalmatian
p
Pelican and the Great White Pelican
Monitoring of the fish populations of the two lakes
Monitoring f bird
M it i of bi d populations (h
l ti
(herons, cormorants and other aquatic bi d
t
d th
ti bird
species)
Monitoring of certain rare species of fauna and flora
Restoration and management of wet meadows in Lake Mikri Prespa (LIFENature)
6

7.
2.1. SPP – Identity & Actions
Protection of the cultural heritage
Restoration of a private building in Lemos Prespa
Lemos,
Establishment of the Prespa Centre for Human and Nature
Public awareness and education
Operation of the SPP Information Centre
Publication of informative material
Support to authorities and bodies for the sustainable development and
protection of Prespa
Collaboration with and support to the Municipality of Prespa in its efforts to
protect and develop the area
Support to the newly-established Prespa National Park Management Body
Support of transboundary cooperation in the framework of the Prespa Park
7

8.
2.1. SPP – Identity & Actions
Support to authorities and bodies for the sustainable development and
protection of Prespa
Collaboration with and support to the Municipality of Prespa in its efforts to
protect and develop the area
Support to the newly-established Prespa National Park Management Body
Support of transboundary cooperation in the framework of the Prespa Park
8

9.
2.2. Our team approach
Our research approach was based on the following steps in order to
identify, segregate and present the key findings regarding the case study:
Recording opinions in a wide framework of local issues
Tracing of current situation & social conditions
Correlating major stakeholders’ concerns with SPP’s needs
Identifying areas of improvement
9

10.
2.3. Sources and tools used
Leaflets and other printed material available at local information centers and
NGOs’ offices
Internet available data (see references)
Literature and research papers regarding the sustainable economic
development of protected areas
Semi-structured
S i t t d questionnaires addressed t representatives f
ti
i
dd
d to
t ti
from
stakeholder organizations
Informal conversations with locals
10

11.
3. Key Findings
Key findings
K fi di
Stakeholders’ overview
Local Authorities
Local Community
Cultural Triangle of Prespa
National Park Authority
Primary, secondary and tertiary sectors
11

12.
3.1. Stakeholders’ Overview
LOCAL AUTHORITIES
AIMS
Development of infrastructure and networking with neighbouring countries
Conservation and enhancement of Prespa’s cultural heritage
Boost of tourism with respect to the environment
Creation of strong organizational mechanisms between local professionals
and authorities
Citizen’s satisfaction
BARRIERS
Funding limitations
Environmental restrictions
12

13.
3.1. Stakeholders’ Overview
LOCAL COMMUNITY
AIMS
Development of infrastructure
Improvement of business activities, health, entertainment and living
standards
Preservation of the local element and cultural heritage
Networking with neighbouring regions to increase transboundary trade
BARRIERS
Lack of unity and communication between local community g p
y
y groups
Lack of long term strategy for tourism resulting in relatively low quality of
services provided
Environmental restrictions
13

14.
3.1. Stakeholders’ Overview
CULTURAL TRIANGLE OF PRESPA (CTP)
AIMS
Mitigation of rural isolation effects on local communities (Greece, FYROM,
Albania) in terms of culture, economy and education
Engagement of the local community, interaction and support for skills’
development and networking
Creation of opportunities for children and y
pp
young p p in order to enhance
g people
their creativity, develop their skills in arts and new technologies and take
initiatives
BARRIERS
Ineffective collaboration between local authorities, NGOs and the local
community
Inadequate social sensitivity and lack of creative activities and employment
opportunities for young people
14

15.
3.1. Stakeholders’ Overview
NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY MANAGEMENT OF PRESPA
AIMS
Improvement of citizens’ living standards through the conservation of natural
and cultural values of region
Promotion of awareness and cooperation between the three countries
Protection of ecological value and biodiversity of Prespa
Wise use of natural resources
BARRIERS
Funding limitations
Lack of efficient communication among environmental organizations, citizens
and entrepreneurs
Infringement of environmental regulations by citizens and local authorities
15

16.
3.1. Stakeholders’ Overview
PRIMARY SECTOR (farmers, stock breeders, fishermen)
AIMS
Improvement of infrastructure to increase production
Expansion of product distribution
BARRIERS
Emergence of mislabeling of local products
Ineffective producers’ associations lacking long term strategy
Generation gap between members of primary sector
16

17.
3.1. Stakeholders’ Overview
SECONDARY SECTOR (Rural Cooperative of National Park’s
Bean Producers)
AIMS
Standardization and certification of production and packaging processes
Branding and marketing of the Prespa beans
BARRIERS
Emergence of mislabeling of local products
Lack of willingness for collaborative action between local bean producers
Lack of modern infrastructure related to the agriculture (irrigation system)
17

18.
3.1. Stakeholders’ Overview
TERTIARY SECTOR (tourist industry)
AIMS
Promotion of tourism and attraction of alternative tourist groups (e.g. agro
tourism, ecotourism, gastronomic and conference tourism)
Preservation of cultural and natural heritage
BARRIERS
Lack of infrastructure and services (roads, transportation, banking and
(roads transportation
medical services)
Absence of collective action between the members of the tertiary sector
Lack of additional activities to extend visitors’ stay in the area
Unavailable infrastructure to host large numbers of visitors, especially in high
season
18

19.
3.1. Summary of stakeholders’
concerns and needs
•Entertainment
•Retain youth
Human
•Human and environment relationship
(ecological measures allowing
economic growth)
•Preservation of local element and
heritage
•Infringement of environmental
regulations
•Generation Gap
•Disengaged local services
(information services)
•Irrigation
•Organized Association
(Pricing, Standardization,
Logistics, Mislabeling)
•Legalization
•Legislation
Production
Entrepreneurship
E t
hi
•Various entrepreneur actions
(Tourist activities, banking
services)
•Poor tourist services (food,
lodging)
•Branding of Prespa Products
•Defining and promoting the
Prepsa experience.
Social
State
St t
•Health
•Infrastructure
•Funding limitations
•International collaboration
•Town planning
19

20.
3. Key Findings
Key findings
K fi di
Main issues
20

21.
3.2. SPP SWOT Analysis
Strengths
Weaknesses
•Comprised
•
•Funding
•
of and supported by 10 NGOs
from major sponsor
Support by E.U. and national legislation
EU
•Clear
vision & tangible achievements
•Transboundary
•Accumulated
•Passion
vision of cooperation
knowledge and experience
Ineffective communication of vision and
achievements
•limited
scope of field activities, unable to
commit resources on developmental
initiatives
•Lack
of human resources
•Lack
of sufficient funding
g
and commitment
Opportunities
pp
Threats
•Bringing
•Lack
people together under a common
vision-creating consent for viable economic
development
•Leader
in the field of transboundary
cooperation
Making Prespa a model for sustainable
development in protected areas
•
of local consensus
•Infringement
of legislation
•Insufficient
collaboration with
Albania/FYROM
Alb i /FYROM relevant organizations
l
t
i ti
•Insufficient
organization of other
stakeholders
21

22.
3.2. Main SPP’s issues
Economic development projects initiated mainly by SPP, lack ownership from
stakeholders and under communicated (by choice) in the local community
Overextending SPP limited resources in economic development initiatives
contrary to organization s main focus (mainly environmental areas)
organization’s
Crucial scientific areas of interest of SPP are difficult to be communicated to
local community
Limited alignment among stakeholders (burden on SPP to facilitate and
sustain consensus)
Public perception of SPP as a “substitute” of governmental agency in the
substitute
area (adding “work load” and obscuring SPP’s identity)
22

23.
3.2. Main SPP’s actions acknowledged by
local community
1.
1
Research and conservation measures (e g Dalmatian Pelican)
(e.g.
2.
Monitoring rare species (flora & fauna)
3.
Σ.Χ.O.Ο.Α.Π. Implementation (town planning)
4.
Penstock construction
5.
Environmental observation in transboundary level
23

24.
4. Vision & Mission Statement
Our team Vision &
Mission S
Mi i Statement
24

25.
4. Our Vision & Mission Statement
Vision / Perfect Future
We envision to emphasize the importance and illustrate the uniqueness of
the Prespa region. The main guidelines upon which this vision will be built
are:
The encouragement and support of initiatives towards environmental
protection and social cohesion
The recognition and implementation of best sustainable and feasible
best,
practices, which will enhance local economic development
Mission Statement
Our mission is to reinforce the Society for the Protection of Prespa’s
acceptance in local community through creative and effective relations which
focus on Prespa’s regional and sustainable economic development.
25

26.
5. Proposals
Proposals
p
26

27.
5. Proposals
5.1.
5 1 Communication Strategy
5.2. Creation of the Prespa Branding & Identity
5.3. Creation of the Prespa Experience
5.4. Tourism
5.5. Protected Region Products
27

28.
5.1. Communication Strategy
WHAT: Develop a communication strategy that facilitates SPP in achieving their
mission statement and objectives in the very complex social - local framework
framework.
HOW: The strategy has two axes that aim to:
Broaden the understanding and promote the significance
of scientific work among the local community: Disseminating consent
among local stakeholders about “the uniqueness and the need for the
p
preservation of the area” that should be the corner stone of every action for
y
economic viable growth. This will be achieved via the polularisation of
scientific notions
Amplify the SPP research image as perceived to the local community:
image,
Alleviating SPP from the active participation in the economic development
initiatives of the area. This will be achieved with the launch of nonp j
p
environmental research projects for the viable economic development of the
area, initiated by SPP. The project proposals should be easier to implement
and sustain (met with less prejudism and bias from the local stakeholders)
28

29.
5.1. Communication Strategy
Broaden the understanding and promote the significance
of scientific work among the local community
WHAT: Develop a strong communication strategy which will help local
community assimilate the significance of SPP’s scientific work, promote the
active involvement of the locals providing critical information on how a research
project affects them and how they can contribute (volunteering)
WHY: To facilitate the development of environmental consent among local
community
y
•
To highlight the mutual benefits arising from the tangibles results of scientific
work
•
To delineate stakeholder priorities, reduce conflict of interest and therefore
f
f
f
enhance SPP’s image in the local community
•
To promote a strong culture with “environment in mind” in the local
community
WHO: Designed and developed by SPP communication and research team
29

30.
5.1. Communication Strategy
Amplification of research image to local community
WHAT: Initiate and communicate research projects on non-environmental
non environmental
subjects:
Social issues
Communication
C
i ti
Marketing fields
WHY: To amplify the SPP image and create stronger acceptance of the role to
promote local society
WHO: Students from academic institutions, foreign or Greek, thus deploying
inexpensive research capabilities, to work on pressing social issues – structure,
enhancement of communication tactics and cases, or develop branding
strategies for Protected Region Products – and at the same time enabling the
development of stronger ties with academia and perhaps cross departmental
synergies
30

31.
5.2. Creation of the Prespa Branding
& Identity
Strengthen the uniqueness of the area to locals and visitors
WHAT: Create the Prespa Area Logo and uniform design as well as the
placement of traditional signs around various area spots, local hospitality, food &
beverage enterprises, cultural centers, tenable memorials, info centers and
historic landmarks.
WHY: To illustrate the uniqueness of the Prespa region and assist in preserving
local cultural heritage
g
WHO: Design by architects & Fine Art students, in collaboration with local
entrepreneurs, placement and preservation by local authorities and volunteers
(CTP)
31

32.
5.3. Creation of the Prespa
Experience
Create the mystique
WHAT: Collect local stories and legends and place them around the area on
signs and maps around historical spots, region’s main entrance, village squares
(
(story & legend collection)
y
g
)
WHY: To create mystique and enhance the Prespa experience
WHO: Design by architects and fine art students, story gathering by local
students under teacher and parental guidance, cultural triangle workshops,
d
d
h
d
l id
l
l i
l
k h
placing and preservation by local authorities and volunteers (CTP)
32

33.
5.3. Creation of the Prespa
Experience
Create the interaction
WHAT: Introduce leisure activities (e.g. bike tours, hiking / mountain climbing,
observatories / telescopes, interactive exhibits in information centers, “treasure
hunt activity,
hunt” activity water buffalo visits, kiting) involving both visitors and local
visits
community
WHY: To create a strong, engaging experience for the visitors of the area
strong
area,
increase days of hotel occupancy encourage revisiting and offer viable
economic growth opportunities to local entrepreneurs.
WHO:
SPP – Observatories, leaflets
Local authorities – Interactive exhibits
Local community – Biki and hiki t
L
l
it
Biking d hiking tours, t
treasure h t organization
hunt
i ti
Involvement and participation of information/communication centers as well
as hotels on specially created stands
33

34.
5.4. Tourism
WHAT: Attract alternative forms of tourism (“eco-tourism”, students, gastronomy
tourists). Learn, understand and adjust, if necessary, possible existing models in
similar protected areas, combining environmental protection with low-budget
accommodation and hotel services
WHY: To promote sustainable economic growth of the area and reinforce the
connection and acceptance of SPP in the stakeholders’ group of tourism
entrepreneurs and the local community
WHO:
Initiative and Planning:
SPP, Cultural Triangle of Prespa, Ecotourism Society of Prespa
Implementation:
Local tourism entrepreneurs through the coordination of the other two
organizations
34

35.
5.5. Protected Region Products
WHAT: Enhance of the image of the local products, distribution and promotion
through local producers, building on and t ki advantage of th region’s
th
hl
l
d
b ildi
d taking d
t
f the
i ’
uniqueness (protection, preservation, purity).
Priority should be given to the unique, local product.
“The Prespa Bean”
WHY: To promote economic growth in harmony with the environmental
p
protection (
(sustainable p
practices)
)
WHO:
Initiative and Planning:
Collaboration between stakeholders and marketing / communications
students facilitated by SPP; reach strong feasibility studies
Implementation:
Producers guided by the outcomes of the studies and strategic action p
g
y
g
plans
35

36.
Focus Area
F
A
Communication Strategy
Improvement Action
I
t A ti
Broaden the understanding and promote the significance of
scientific work among the local community
Implementation
p
timeframe
Long-term
Amplification of research image to local community
Creation of the Prespa
Branding & Identity
Creation of the Prespa
Experience
Built on the areas’ uniqueness
Mystique about Prespa: Story and legend collection and
appropriate promotion
Interaction: Development of interactive actions which will have
a positive effect to the local community as well as the tourists
revisiting.
Tourism
Attract alternative tourism in order to achieve sustainable
economic growth.
Protected Region Products
Guidance of local producers by the special studies which will
be prepared by marketing/communications students.
Short-term
Short-term
Short term
Long-term
Long term
Long-term
36

37.
6. Conclusions
Conclusions
37

38.
6. Conclusions
The sustainable socio-economic growth of the Prespa area is very complex.
socio economic
The combination of environmental issues and local stakeholders’
characteristics, as well as the geographical uniqueness (3 nations – 2 lakes)
make this task challenging and ambitious
ambitious.
Our proposals aim at addressing the main issues we have clearly identified ,
on a short and long term basis.
At the same time, we set the ground for supplementary research / projects
that, upon implementation, will enhance the fulfillment of our shared vision
for the area and its people.
38

39.
7. Learning Experience
Learning
L
i
experience
i
39

40.
7. Learning Experience
The Future Leaders Program of Ηay Group,
was a d fi i
defining experience f
i
for us,
individually, as a team and as future
leaders.
e ea ed o
g g t t e te a
We learned how to highlight the internal
virtues and manage our emotions for the
benefit of the team even in very difficult and
complex situations.
The beauty of th P
Th b
t
f the Prespa project was not
j t
t
just the engagement with nature. It was an
inspiring adventure, compelled by the SPP
vision that goes beyond borders, cultures,
and l
d local i t
l interests, t preserve th magic of
t to
the
i f
Prespa.
Thank you for inviting, supporting and inspiring us with your vision, as we
should do as future leaders in the society.
40

41.
8. References
References
41

42.
8. References
Leaflets:
Cultural Triangle of Prespa( CTP)
Maps of Prespa’s cultural sights
Prespa’s tour g
p
guide and map
p
Cultural routes
Prespa: « Agriculture & Environment», one Europe, more nature project
Prespa’s information centers
Let’s discover Prespa. People & nature around the lakes
Florina’s municipality tourist g
p y
guide
Society for the Protection of Prespa (SPP) for human and nature
Cultural guide of Municipality of Prespa
Project Life-Nature 2002-2007
Bean & Tsironi celebration, municipality of Prespa
42

43.
8. References
Books:
Prespa’s Information Center Scripts
«Prespa: a story for man & nature», George Kotsadorakis
Network:
www. spp.gr (Society for the Protection of Prespa)
www. ctp.gr (Cultural Triangle of Prespa)
www. tseaaig.gr (
g g (Territorial Quality Mark)
y
)
www. prespes.gr ( Municipality of Prespa)
www.ntua.gr/MIRC (The Metsovion Interdisciplinary Research Center (M.I.R.C.) of the
N.T.U.A.)
NTUA)
http://www.survey.ntua.gr/main/studies/environ/envir-g.html (Interdisciplinary Program
of postgraduate studies “Environment and Development”)
www.balkanfoundation.org (B lk F
b lk f
d ti
(Balkan Foundation for Sustainable D
d ti f S t i bl Development (BFSD))
l
t
www.environmentforeurope.org/themes/biodiversity.html (Environment for Europe:
Biodiversity and sustainable development in mountain areas)
43