The project named New attire of Brijuni islands of Public Institution Brijuni National Park (code: KK.06.1.2.01.0007), under the Operational Program Competitiveness and Cohesion 2014-2020 is co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund following the successful application to the Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds public call "Promoting sustainable use of natural heritage in national parks and nature parks".
The total value of the project is set to 41,7 million of kuna. Total eligible project costs amount to 32,1 million of kuna out of which 27,2 million kuna (85%) is covered with EU funding. The remaining amount of eligible costs is co-financed by Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund in the amount of 3,2 million kuna and National Park Brijuni own funds in the amount of 1,6 million kuna.
The Grant Agreement was signed on October 5, 2017 and the implementation period of the project is from July 12, 2016 to December 31, 2021.
The purpose of the project is to improve the management of National park Brijuni based on principles of sustainable use of natural heritage for the socio-economic development of the local community.
The project goals include:
- Popularization of Brijuni National Park as inevitable place for visit by developing visitor infrastructure and attractive tourist contents;
- Raise knowledge among visitors about importance of natural heritage and education of employees for the purpose of more efficient visitor management.
New attire of Brijuni islands includes the following activities:
- Installing the tourist info office on Veliki Brijun and increasing the visitor mobility by purchasing new tourist boat and two tourist trains;
- Development of new and improvement of existing educational and presentation tourist contents;
- Increasing attractiveness of the offer and visiting system of the Brijuni National Park by opening the Mali Brijun island for visits and educational activities;
- Education of employees and development of a new educational programs for visitors;
- Promotion and visibility of the project
- Project Management and Administration
New attire of Brijuni islands as unique project deals with improvement of the interpretation of natural heritage and with its sustainable management.
Although the cultural and historical heritage is not the main subject of this project, it was necessary to renew it as well for the purpose of presenting and interpreting the rich natural heritage of Brijuni National Park. Accordingly, some parts of architecture are renovated to serve as future venues for exhibitions and accommodation for attendants of educational activities/excursions. In this way, the implementation of this project contributes to the protection and preservation of both, natural and cultural-historical heritage.
Project activities related to design of a new excursion programs on Brijuni Islands, raising the visitor awareness on the values of NP Brijuni and the renewal of the infrastructure and the guest transport system, directly contribute to the goals of the NP Brijuni Management Plan 2016.-2025. The project includes the following activities:
Establishment of info point on Veliki Brijun island
Within the project, it is established a new info point in the form of info kiosk on Veliki Brijun island with an interactive screen that for 24 hours presents the excursions, recreational, accommodation and food offer of Brijuni National Park. The purpose of the info kiosk is to provide visitors the updated information on all island facilities and sightseeing tours in the form that has not existed on the island in the years before. Additionally, the crowd is reduced in the tourist office of National Park in Fazana as before the only place to inform visitors which certainly contributes to a more efficient approach to visitors.
Purchasing of tourist boat
The project envisages a procurement of one tourist boat (with a capacity of 150 passengers) in order to increase the mobility and availability of new tourist contents predicted within this project. It was planned and carried out to design and build the tourist boat to respond to the increased tourist offer on Brijuni islands and to the enhanced visitor traffic at the sea.
Purchasing of tourist trains
Furthermore, it was planned and carried out to purchase two tourist trains composed of 1 locomotive and 4 open trailers and training for the employees that drive them. The new trains enable an access and transport to disabled persons and wheelchairs for the first time.
Renovation of infrastructure on Veliki Brijun
For the purpose of creating a new visitor contents, the following infrastructure is reconstructed on the island of Veliki Brijun:
Educational-informative trail under the Guard hill includes the reconstruction of the educational path through a former quarry located in the forest in the center part of the island. It was planned and carried out to equip the trail with illustrated interpretation boards, educational exhibits and orientation signs for the purpose of presentation of the surrounding forest ecosystem and flora and fauna.
Živa Voda well and Compressor Station present the hydrogeological features of the island. It represents an additional educational and tourist content available to visitors for the independent visits or guided tours. Reconstruction of the rusty well of Živa voda and Compressor Stations facility includes the reconstruction of mechanical installations for the purpose of the presentation of pumping station from the 1960s. Furthermore, It was planned and carried out to compile the Hydrogeological project of Brijuni with the information on geological structure of Brijuni Islands, description of water phenomena, wells and drill holes on the islands and description of Živa voda and Compressor Stations facilities.
A natural science exhibition of prepared animals (from all over the world that Tito got as a gift) is modernized by creating new interactive applications (CITES). This exhibition raises the visitor's awareness on endangered animal species, their exploitation for hunting and illegal trade and survival of some species in the future.
Summer cinema from the 1950s includes the procurement and installation of film projection equipment, modular stage, auditorium and purchase of short and feature movies, documentaries and animated films on the protection and conversation of nature. By organizing thematic evenings in the future, it was planned to raise awareness of the audience and educate them on human acts against the environment and nature and the necessity of preserving the biodiversity.
Reconstruction of facilities on Mali Brijun
By reconstruction of 7 buildings in the bay of San Mikula, the island of Mali Brijun was adapted and opened for visits and education. Former military dormitory renovated in a contemporary diffused hostel "Sveti Mikula" (total capacity: 65 persons, 17 rooms in 4 buildings, an info-point and restaurant) will serve to accommodate specific groups of guests. This new accommodation on Mali Brijun island is provided for school & university groups, scientists, non-governmental organizations, artists and all those who want to carry out specific programs as educational, cultural programs and/or research inside the National park, in an isolated location, completely immersed in nature. This project activity contributed to the significant expansion of Brijuni National Park offer considering that the island of Mali Brijun was closed for visitors and the accommodation for researchers and school & university groups on the island of Veli Brijun was limited.
Development of new educational programs of Brijuni National Park and training of employees
The new educational programs for visitors are developed on the following subject: National Park Brijuni, the World of Plants, the Magical World of Insects, the Birds, the Sea Coast, the Underwater World.
Additionally, the educational tour on the pedestrian educational trail "Brijuni stone stories" (adapted and opened within the former cross-border project KAMEN-MOST) is designed in order to present the geo-touristic features of Mali Brijun island.
In order to strengthen the capacity of the National Park employees, new tools for the modern interpretation of Brijuni heritage are developed. Up to 100 employees are included in the educational activities to improve their communication, presentation and sales skills.
Promotion and visibility of the project
The project New attire of Brijuni islands emphasizes the importance of various promotional and marketing activities and therefore the activities of strategic planning, promotions through various media, creation and production of advertising materials related to the project and National Park were carried out. The Visitor Management Study and the new interpretation of Brijuni Heritage are developed for the purpose of future presentation and promotion.
Within the activities of interpretation of the Brijuni heritage for the purpose of presentation and promotion, it is planned and carried out to print the books and manuals about the National Park Brijuni for tourist guides and visitors. A new multilingual audio guide was planned and carried out for improvement of the guiding tours with tourist trains on Veliki Brijun island. Furthermore, a multi-lingual visitor signalization was created and placed throughout the islands for the new educational and tourist facilities created within this project.
Parks of Croatia
EU projects
English
