engleski

Analysis of the significance of protected areas in financing local development in Croatia

The aim of the research, whose results are presented in this paper, is to analyse the level and point out the possibilities of more active involvement of local communities in the management of protected areas. Involving local communities in the management of protected areas - national and nature parks - will allow local stakeholders to understand the possibilities, significance and role of protected natural areas and ecosystem services in enhancing their living standards and overall quality of life. The study was conducted by a method of semi-structured interviews combined with survey on a sample of 43 subjects. Multi- sectorial analysis included the sectors of nature protection, economy, agriculture, fisheries, tourism, forestry, health, education, employment, spatial planning and sports. The results of the study of attitudes of different stakeholders and their relationship to protected natural areas at national, regional and local level as well as international organizations in the Republic of Croatia show that the protected areas are an important resource of the Republic of Croatia and the potential to launch socio-economic development and sustainable development financing in local communities where they are established. However, there are few development ideas and business opportunities between various stakeholders from national and nature parks. The overall conclusion is that the protected natural areas are still largely viewed through the protection, control and conservation of nature, and therefore they are not open to potential investors and the business sector in general. Stronger integration of protected natural areas in the development of local communities is a long process that requires the implementation of a series of activities, and one of the key activities for the forthcoming period is to strengthen the knowledge and capacity of people about the value of ecosystem services and utilization of economic potential of protected natural areas in a sustainable manner.

local development ; financing of local development ; protected areas management ; ecosystem services

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