Raising awareness of nature and environmental protection in Nature Park Blidinje is in the focus of the “Nature Knows No Waste “campaign, implemented by the Association ‘Visit Blidinje’ with the assistance of the EU and the German Government program – EU ProLocal. A number of initiatives which are part of this campaign have been presented in Sarajevo today.

As part of the overall activities to strengthen local economy through the tourism sector development in Herzegovina, the EU ProLocal supports promotion of Blidinje as an attractive nature-based tourist destination. The campaign “Nature Knows No Waste” initiated by the Association ‘Visit Blidinje’ is one of those activities.

One of the Campaign’s products, the first branded reusable waste bag in BiH was presented at todays’ event in Sarajevo, The specially designed ‘Blidinje Waste Bag’ will serve as a promotor of a new environmental awareness. Also, the event featured “Blidinje Breakfast”, the new tourism offer. It is to replace imported jam, honey, butter, toast and tea with high quality local products. “Made of locally produced and grown products only, the concept of ‘Blidinje Breakfast” will promote local producers and typical Herzegovinian products, “President of the Association ‘Visit Blidinje’ Marija Vukoja explained.

Presently, the waste bag will be made available for tourists for free but will be sold in the future and the revenue generated invested into future eco-oriented projects in Blidinje.” Hiking tourists are not only encouraged to take their own but any other waste they find in the nature,“ noted German expert for tourism development Eike Otto. “Anyone who buys this bag pledges to prevent careless waste disposal. Municipalities that share the responsibility for Blidinje agreed to ensure that waste is disposed at designated locations (‘green islands’) across the Nature Park“, Otto added.

This setting of ‘green‘ standards by all stakeholders who contribute to the sustainable development of the Blidinje region, and Herzegovina indirectly, can serve as a good example to other sites in BiH.

EU ProLocal Programme is funded by the European Union in the amount of EUR 9 million and the German Government in the amount of EUR 4 million and is implemented by GIZ.