MEDS GARDEN: Indigenous Mediterranean Garden and Cuisine for Preserving the Region’s Authentic Identity
Priority Axis 3: Protection and Promotion of Natural and Cultural Resources
The main joint objective of the project, and its contribution to the specific programme objective, is the development, preservation, and enhancement of an attractive cultural landscape as an innovative learning and experiential tourism product focused on indigenous plants, local cuisine, and products of the Northern Adriatic. This objective will be achieved through the establishment of a cross-border system for knowledge management, heritage preservation, and sustainable governance of a network of Mediterranean Gardens in the Northern Adriatic under a common brand.
Cultural landscape represents an important aspect of public interest in cultural, ecological, environmental, and social terms, while also offering opportunities for economic growth. Currently, there is no dedicated custodian responsible for preserving the authentic identity of the region and establishing Mediterranean flora and cuisine as key tourist attractions and defining elements of an appealing destination.
A shared challenge in the programme area is to prevent biodiversity loss, reduce the negative impacts of mass tourism, and ensure the sustainable preservation of heritage related to edible Mediterranean flora.
The overall project objective is to integrate indigenous Mediterranean plant cultures into sustainable tourism development, involve target groups in co-creating their living environment, and preserve and promote a high-quality cultural landscape.
The main direct outputs of the project will include the establishment of five Mediterranean Gardens and an increase in visitor numbers within the cross-border tourist destination, achieved through innovative educational and experiential tourism and a cross-border network of Mediterranean Gardens.
Within these gardens, educational and didactic centres will be established with the aim of preserving biodiversity and movable cultural heritage of the Northern Adriatic, introducing new skills and knowledge, promoting responsible tourism, and enriching the tourism offer.
Mediterranean Gardens with learning centres will serve visitors, students, tourists, SMEs, and the tourism sector as an educational platform where they can experience Mediterranean diversity and develop respect for the environment.
Through cross-border cooperation, exchange of experiences, and joint promotion of innovative learning tourism, the project will provide the necessary knowledge to position the region as a recognizable green destination in the European space.
The project will result in increased visitation in the area as a consequence of cross-border cooperation and sustainably enhanced tourism demand. This will be driven by a more diverse and enriched tourism offer, including a new innovative tourism product and services in the form of Mediterranean Gardens and authentic experiential learning tourism.
The project will directly contribute to programme result indicators by increasing the number of visitors in the cross-border area, due to both the content and attractiveness of the Mediterranean Gardens and the broader impact of the project on the destination’s visibility and appeal.
Project achievements are intended for all stakeholders and will also contribute to increased awareness and positive behavioral change. By expanding knowledge of the indigenous cultural landscape, new employment opportunities will be created while preserving existing green jobs, particularly in rural areas.
The project will attract a new segment of tourists and visitors—those who value a responsible relationship with nature, appreciate biodiversity, and cherish local flavors and cultural heritage.
A key outcome will be the sustainable stewardship of heritage related to indigenous plants of the Northern Adriatic. Through active and professional operation of Mediterranean Gardens, as well as international cooperation with Alpine gardens and others, the project will achieve broader European recognition.
Total project value: €808,897.50
ERDF funding: €687,562.87
Start date: 01 October 2017
End date: 30 September 2019
More information: https://www.ita-slo.eu/sl/MEDSGARDEN
