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Danube GeoTour Plus

Boosting opportunities for more inclusive, valuable, and balanced Geopark Communities.

EGN Conference in Iceland

2nd of Oct. 2024

Meeting

Julia Kaufmann, Cristian Ciobanu, Georgiana Radulescu, Goran Pavic and Gerald Hartmann

Present

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About this session

1. Project Overview - Julia Kaufmann

2. Inclusive Geopark Communities - Cristian Ciobanu & Georgina Radulescu

3. Geopark Experiences:

3.1. Goran Pavic - Hertage Restoration

3.2. Gerald Hartmann – VR/Exhibition

4. Get active with slido

Slido.com

#8530048

45min until 12:00

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9 Geoparks +

2 Educational

Insitutions

Geopark Styrian Eisenwurzen

(Austria)

Bükk Geopark

(Hungary)

Hateg Country Geopark

(Romania)

Geopark Iron Mountain

(Czech Republic)

Geopark Papuk

(Croatia)

Geopark Karawanken

(Austria)

Geopark Swabian Alp

(Germany)

Geopark Idrija

(Slovenia)

Geopark Djerdap

(Serbia)

Technical University of Kosice

(Slovakia)

College for Tourism Konjic (Bosnia/Herzegovina)

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What was the decrease of inhabitants & increase of visitors during the last decade in our geoparks?

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1. Danube GeoTour Plus

Context: Last decade our geoparks have lost -6% of the population and increased visits by +77% (last decade) 🡪 causing challanges:

  • depopulation & limited local engagement
  • emerging tourism demands
  • outdated management practices

What are we doing?

  • Community involvement (vulnerable groups e.g. youth risk of brain drain, elderly isolated people)

  • Develop geopark experiences, unlocking the region's socio-economic potential

  • Sustainable visitor management (innovative monitoring tools, manage visitors in open routes, larger territories & hot spots)

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2. Inclusive Geopark Communities

by Cristian Ciobanu Hateg Country UGGp

1. Clearly Mapped Vulnerable Groups

Defined Vulnerable Groups

Collaboration with NGOs and Community Organizations

Formalised collaboration inside the vulnerable groups

2. Well-understood Vulnerable Groups

Needs Assessment

Exploring World Views

Communication and Outreach

Tailored Communication Strategies

Regular Engagement

3. Inclusive Planning and Policy Development

Stakeholder Involvement

Policy Framework

Long-term Commitment

Education and Training

4. Monitoring and Evaluation

Feedback Mechanisms

Impact Assessment

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Example from Hațeg Country UGGp

Working with youth

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3. Geo(park)Experience - example Goran

  • criteria

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Danube GeoTour Plus

8 UNESCO Global Geoparks

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Papuk Nature Park - UNESCO Global Geopark

Where we are ...

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SO2 - pilot action

establishing of the Archaeological Park Kaptol-Gradci

one of the most important Central European Early Iron Age sites

Why is that archaeological site so significant?

the southernmost cultural group of the Hallstatt Cultural Complex was named after this site

EASTERN HALLSTATT CIRCLE

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Location of the archaeological site

Kaptol-Gradci

certified in 2021

48 Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe

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Archaeological site Kaptol-Gradci is a complex site

hillfort settlement

two burial mound cemeteries (over 40 tumuli)

the burial mounds containing rich cremation burials

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richly ornamented pottery vessels, pots with bull-head decorations, askos (jugs used to hold and pour drinks)

pottery

- coated with graphite

- graphite mining - one of the most important sources of wealth and power

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horse equipments

spears, battle axes, extremely rare swords

two greek helmets

weapons

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Heritage restoration – Arrangement of a pedestrian path with the presentation of tumuli

SO2 - pilot action

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Early Iron Age experience

reconstruction of several tumulus

Presentation of the tumulus structure

Presentation of discovered artifacts (pottery, weapons, jewellery)

Presentation of the geology of the area

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experience a journey back to the time of the Early Iron Age

learning about what life looked like 2500 years ago - burial customs, cuisine, clothing, etc

using Virtual Reality

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Thank you for your attention!

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3. Geo(park)Experience - example Goran

  • criteria

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1. Inclusive Geopark Communities - Cristian

pls lets talk about it what we should choose as interactive format e.g. criteria

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1. Inclusive Geopark Communities - Cristian

pls lets talk about it what we should choose as interactive format e.g. criteria

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Think of one very special Experience! What made this visitor experience so special?

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What can you think of, to include local communities in GeoExperiences?

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Thank you for your participation

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