Heritage-Driver of Development: Meeting of the Working Group for the legal framework, Municipality of Tivat, June 11th 2013

Within the project "Heritage - Driver for Development", meeting of the working group for the legislative framework was held in the premises of the Municipality of Tivat, on June 11th. The group task was to define the concept of comparative analysis with recommendations, both individually for the legislative actors in Montenegro and Croatia, and simultaneously at the state level. The target group are the actors in the process of protection and valorization of natural and cultural heritage and landscapes, and aim to contribute to their better quality cooperation both at national level and between two countries through the regulations that are clearly defined in the action framework. Just to remind, this cross-border project, funded by the European Union Delegation, is supported under the second component of the Instrument for Pre-accession EU assistance through the following measures: joint activities in the application of new methodologies in the protection and management of natural and cultural heritage. Project wants to contribute to the establishment of cooperation between institutions for the protection of natural and cultural heritage in Croatia and Montenegro, through joint programs, training, transfer of knowledge and activities to raise awareness.

Analysis of the legislative framework are implemented at the level of one of the six working groups for entities: the legal framework, cultural landscape, natural and cultural heritage, economic evaluation, participatory process, and finally, making Manuel from the experience and knowledge gained through this 23 -month program. For a specific activity, which will enter the final phase of a reunion between the working groups in Dubrovnik in September, deadline is scheduled until the end of the year. Technical part of the job is reserved for experts from both sides, with the full support of all the partners in the project.

During the first meeting of the working group who is dealing with legislation, a framework for draft of future studies on this topic is defined. Natural, cultural heritage and landscape will be analyzed through the current legislative framework, their analysis and recommendations for improvement, at the international, national and local level. Citing specific examples from practice, experts from the Croatia and Montenegro, representatives of partner organizations and associates on the project, have recognized a number of shortcomings in the treatment of inheritance in two states. In general it is concluded that the larger problem then quality and compliance regulations, the possibility of their consistent application in practice.

The Working Group will meet the already on Jun 26th, when in Gornja Lastva , also as a part of the project: "Heritage - Driver for Development," begins an International Workshop on the Assessment of Landscape. It will be an opportunity for experts, engaged in an analysis of the legislative framework, to agree on technical details before heading out to work, so the results could be comparable to the level of the two countries at the end.

A new meeting of the working group members is already on June 17th in Dubrovnik. Group of participatory process will meet, which is an introduction to the participatory process of protection and management of natural and cultural heritage in the pilot areas of Dubrovnik and Kotor Bay , through which will be included a variety of stakeholders, through surveys, questionnaires, focus groups and individual interviews.