From 22^nd to 26^th of April, 2024, CNVP MOVING team participated in study tour in Romania, along with MOVING representatives from Hungary and Serbia and representatives of their value chains.   The CNVP MOVING team was represented by the Country Director for North Macedonia, Nehat Ramadani and Project Officer, Merita Kuli, Maleshevski Region MAP Member, Gjorgji Peovski, Head of the Office for Local Economic Development, Municipality of Berovo represented the working group from the project region.

This sturdy tour was an excellent opportunity to learn about functioning of the Zerneshti Pietra Craiului, first certified Eco tourism destination and value chains representing this huge Carpathian Region. First two days we spent in Magura, close to the city of Brashov and later we travelled south to the Salashu de Sus and the city of Bran well known because of the legend for the Count Dracula. Presentation of the President of the Association of Eco- Tourism of Romania, Andrei Blumer was very informative, especially in terms of the policy framework, positive impact, and challenges of the EU regulations for the value chains and how this region is attracting funding for operating and continuous strengthening of the offer without damaging the nature and the wild animals. As we well we had an opportunity to get an information for the Carpathian Nature Tours and how they function as a certified business.  The owner of the Villa Hermanni and one of the honey producers from the region, gave us an excellent insight in functioning of t heir business, basically how they got the idea to begin with and how they are developing their business.

The second part of the trip was in the south of this mountainous region: City of Bran and Salashu de Sus. City of Bran is known due to the castle that according to legend belong to Count Dracula. However, this was an example how mas tourism makes harm to nature and is facing potential devastation in perspective due to pollution and waste management challenges of irresponsible tourists.  The Salashu de Sus is offer is a little different: medieval monuments, meet production value chain and the Museum of the dragons and dwarf dinosaur whose eggs were found in this area are main attractions for the tourists.

In general, the certified Eco tourism offer in Carpathian Region is in it’s development and has a huge opportunity to grow. There are enthusiasts fighting for natural wealth to be preserved, laws and regulations to protect the nature and fauna over urbanisation to be avoided but as well they all underlined that there is a need for investing in roads towards the rural zones and motivation for the youth. The traditional food remains preserved as the family-owned accommodations are well connected with producers of traditional food: jellies, cheese, butter, meat (especially sausages), beverages (liquors, wines, and craft beers).

CNVP North Macedonia is implementing the MOVING Horizon 2020 project with a consortium of 23 partner organizations across Europe (research centres and institutes, industry representatives, rural developers, and innovation agents). Activities in North Macedonia are focused on the Maleshevija region, eastern part of the country.