The Paper: Are we at a turning point for Istra?

1. Who are we?

ECOVAST and Global Villages Network are working together for the conservation of historical centres, rural landscapes and villages around Europe, combining tradition and cultural heritage with new ways of organisation, collaboration and communication.

2. Why are we addressing regional actors and decision-makers?

We want to work with this unique region because it has still a wealth of unspoilt natural and cultural beauties, which are promising assets for integrated regional development. This region has a chance to preserve and profit from this already existing wealth and at the same time to solve its grave structural problems by capitalising these advantages instead of neglecting and abandoning them. This is different from simply speculating on the value of real estate and leaving the regional development to market forces alone. This way has proven to be extremely detrimental and destructive in other regions of Europe, worsening historical and social tensions and weakening the ability of locals to work together. We want to show ways how the European context can be made useful to enrich local culture and sustainable local development.

In particular, we see in Buzet (Pinguente) and its surroundings:

a) the old historical town and its recovering as a great potential for local people and the growth of a new sustainable tourism;
b) a largely unused potential of rural villages and their role for landscape recovering, agritourism and B&B development
c) the urgent need for natural area and water conservation

3. A first meeting in Abrami / village in the Buzet area / with double purpose:

a) as a renewal of the "festa campestre" (traditional festival for the purpose of exchange and meeting) with a common work on the reconstruction of the old pathway crossing the river Braciana including involving participants in the building of a small pedestrians bridge
b) a cultural program about the "village of the future" with a meeting of the international "Global Villages Network" of experts and activists, with thematic speeches and presentations (possibly also by videoconference - virtual bridge) open and translated to locals.

The participants and visitors of this one-week two-bridges event would also be encouraged and invited to visit several important places in the Buzet region (....) not as "sightseeing" but as "dialogue".

a) with the community of Buzet - the role of the regional centre in revitalised regions
b) in Istarske Toplice - the future of tourism and the best investments

(more ideas to follow)

4. Background

The action is meant as a support in the coming difficult times of integration in the European Union, showing the best and most sustainable ways to create interest for investors from Europe to put their money into the region. The actions try to complement the risky and costly activities to attract "hard industries" (something which puts regional governments into a field of enormous requirements and competition; creates strong dependencies on single activities, which suddenly might be suspended by foreign decisions). Rather the action is aiming at diversification and the "soft factors" which build on local identity, local strengths and the combination of small steps.

"new village"

the old village alone is to weak to develop, but is very attractive to peoples emotions and makes the region special. Agriculture can by no means sustain villages and we do not propose to go back to an agricultural economy as the main pillar of the village life. Rather agriculture has to diversify dramatically and combine itself with other functions. With new economic activities and the right "implants" the beauty of these villages and their healthy social and natural structure can be maintained and enhanced, while creating new jobs and opportunities for local people and newcomers alike.

In particular we look at
- Intensive agriculture and nursery plants, small flower industries, decentral energy production
- Bed and breakfast agritourism, theme villages,
- Retirement villages and supported living for elders
- Temporary cultural retirement, environment and support for thinking and working alone and together, learning new skills like cooking etc.
- Creative industries, arts, music, painting
- Camping sites and sport areas, attracting a small portions of tourists to "recover" from the stress of the crowded seaside vacations and have quality experience of environment and recreation. ecological golf courses, bicycle paths,
this list can be continued, we wanted just to bring some examples.

"new skills" -

all these activities require people to be open to new skills and knowledge that they can apply locally. Education can now be decentralised much better with the help of the Internet and adapted to many special needs, fostering self-learning, learning by doing and learning in communities of practise. The educational system has to adapt to these needs, while using its existing resources. Schools can become multipurpose educational centres, libraries can switch to the Internet as the vast resource of learning material, coaching and guiding people to make the right use of this unending reservoir which is confusing almost everyone. Young people can enjoy much more of their education in their local environment with the help of these adapted institutions.

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