ECAT-Kaliningrad (The Environmental Centre or Administration and Technology) was established in 1995. Its concept is to combine Russian and Western European know-how and experiences in an interdisciplinary and international team of experts and on this basis develop comprehensive and realistic solutions to environmental problems.
ECAT-Kaliningrad has elaborated a project proposal, "Ecotourism at the Curonian Spit National Park in the Kaliningrad Region". The project will contribute to the protection and sustainable development of the Baltic Sea Region and as a pilot project, it will serve as a model for ecotourism and other planned national parks in the region. The project proposal was submitted to the EU-Life programme 96, to the Danish EPA and the Swedish SIDA for financial support. The UBC members cities of Aalborg and Kalmar as well as the WWF-Germany are also partners in the project. The project is due to start in spring 1997.
The project aims at elaborating solutions for the protection of nature as well as improving the quality of life of the local inhabitants. These goals are to be achieved by elaborating and introducing the concept of ecotourism in the region and realizing priority measures and demonstration projects, such as the installation of ecological paths, information signs, observation platforms for birdwatching and ecological tours. Attention shall also be given to strengthening local authorities, increasing public awareness and ensuring the participation of the inhabitants of the Curonian Spit National Park in the whole process.
For more information, please contact Mr Gino Van Begin or fax: +7 0112 275110 or Mr Juhan Janusson or fax: +46 480 83122.
