PROJECT PROPOSAL

PROJECT TITLE: Walking the Via Dinarica

PROJECT APPLICANT:

Adventure Tourism Association in BiH

PARTNERS ON PROJECT:

Green Visions, KES Limit, Al Jazeera Balkans

PRIORITY AREA: Tourism Development and Promotion

TARGET GROUP/ NO OF DIRECT BENEFICIARIES (number and percentage of both sexes representation) :

Households and small businesses around the trail providing accommodation, domestic food and traditional products, outdoor tour operators, at least 45 local hiking and outdoor clubs, 12 national parks and protected areas administrations, local communities in at least 16 municipalities in 5 countries, mountaineering and tourism associations in 5 countries;

LOCATION OF THE PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION:

Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro and Slovenia

DURATION: 6 months(number of months)

BUDGET: 181,254.88 BAM

This form has been prepared in accordance with the LOD Methodology for Allocation of Funds to Civil Society Organizations in BiH

SUMMARY

The Dinaric Alps encompass the southern stretch of Alps from Slovenia to northern Albania. It is one of the least known and explored mountain ranges in Europe. The Via Dinarica concept, inspired by the Via Alpina Trail that connects all of the 13 Alpine nations with a 2,000km + walking/hiking trail, would be the first and only tourism development project to physically walk and hike through five countries in order to: 1. Mark and map the Via Dinarica Trail; 2. Conduct a rapid assessment and tourism resource inventory; 3. Provide continual international and regional media coverage of the journey.

As with the Via Alpina, the Via Dinarica is set to become a strong encouragement for local development, whether for tourism professionals or the many local communities involved. The continued promotion and development under this project of the Via Dinarica Trail will ensure more travelers to the region and as a result new business for guides, mountain leaders, artisans, accommodation and other tourism services providers.

1. PROJECT OWNER’S INFORMATION

INFORMATION ON ORGANIZATIONMission: Development and promotion of activities and outdoor tourism in country and abroad,

ensuring visitors receive high level of quality and services.

Vision: Increase the number of visitors and the length of their stay.Date and manner of establishment:

In 2011.

Main goals and strategies for achieving the goals, in accordance with the statute:

promotion of best practices, transparency and accountability in outdoor sector,- representation of outdoor sector in relations with governmental, intergovernmental and agencies operating in BiH and abroad,-promotion of outdoor offer on local, national and international level

Short description of the organisational scheme and decision making system:

Organizational structure includes: ATA BiH Assembly, Supervisory Board and Management Board. ATA BiH Assembly consists of all members, Supervisory Board 3 and Management Board 5 members. ATA BiH Director suggests activities, financial plans and progress reports to Management Board for consideration, and with majority vote approves the proposed activities. Management Board meetings are held at least 2 times a year. Supervisory Board is responsible for monitoring the financial operations of ATA BiH and meeting are held once a year. Progress reports, financial reports and activity plans are presented once a year at Assembly meeting.Currently, ATA BiH has one full time employee, Ms. Erna Kurtovic, and depending on the requirements of specific projects engages a person for a specific time.

Governing Board of the Civil Society Organization (CSO)/ Key persons in the Civil Society Organization

Name and Surname

Profession Function Sex Years of experience in the CSO

Aleksandar Pastir Economist ATA BiH MB President,

M 15

Thierry Joubert Tourism Expert ATA BiH MB Vice President

M 20

Persons you plan to engage for the project implementation Name and Surname

Profession Function Sex Years of experience in the CSO

Full time/Part time

Erna Kurtovic Economist Executive Director,ATA BiH

F 3 Full time

Kenan Muftic Security Politologist

Project Manager ATA BiH

M 15 Full time

Thierry Joubert Tourism Expert Consultant,Green Visions

M 20 Part time

Tim Clancy Tourism Expert Consultant,Freelancer

M 20 Part time

Ermin Lipovic Tourism Expert Consultant,KES Limit

M 15 Part time

Larisa Olenicof Travel blogger Blogger F 5 Part timeGreta Taubert Freelance

JournalistCicero/Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung

F 5 Part time

Becky and Graham Padmore

Travel bloggers Bloggers F/M 5 Part time

Will Peach Travel blogger Blogger M 5 Part timeAndrew Mazibrada

Freelance journalist

Adventure Travel Magazine

M 5 Part time

Maria Hetman Social media specialist

Blogger F 5 Part time

Alex Crevar Travel writer The Washington post M 5 Part timeElma Oric Photographer Freelancer/ WWF F 5 Part time

If the above table includes partners and/or consultants, please list the original organization that employs them into the column Profession.

CURRENT PROJECTS AND PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE IN COOPERATION WITH DONORS Project implemented in the last three years:

Theme/Area Project name Donor Duration Value No of engaged staff (gender disaggregated)

Promotion Brave Enough Identity

USAID Sida Firma Project

3 months 20.780,00 BAM 2

Promotion US Market entry USAID Sida Firma Project

1 year 38,660.00 BAM 4

Promotion Western Balkans Map Guide promotion in Washington DC

USAID Sida Firma Project

4 months 12,500.00 BAM 3

Promotion Adventure Travel World Summit 2012

USAID Sida Firma Project

5 months 3,830.00 BAM 2

Training Mountain Guide Training and Certification

USAID Sida Firma Project

10 months 15,200.00 BAM 3

Operations ATA Year 1 USAID Sida 1 year 42,700.00 BAM 1

Operations Firma ProjectPromotion WB Stewardship

Council Fam Trip

OXFAM Italia 3 months 6,845.40 BAM 1

Current projects:Theme/Area Project name Donor Duration Value No of engaged

staff (gender disaggregated

Promotion US Media Fam Trip

USAID Sida Firma Project

4 months 16,900.00 BAM 1

Promotion Specialized Outdoor Fam Trip- Turkish Market

USAID Sida Firma Project

7 months 4,700.00 BAM 1

Training Regional ATTA training

USAID Sida Firma Project and USAID RCI

5 months 35,150.00 BAM 1

Office space:In ownership or rented: -In ownership or rented with other CSOs:

Rented with Green Visions

Square meters: 85 m2Do you have a telephone/fax: YesDo you have an access to internet: YesDo you have all equipment necessary for implementation of the project?

No.

2. INTRODUCTION

The Via Dinarica Trail has progressed over the recent years from an idea to a reality with the first part of the trail assessed and marked between Sutjeska National Park, BiH and Durmitor National Park. The partners and communities involved in the previous project have seen a real increase in total number of travelers interested in walking and biking this section of the Via Dinarica Trail. For example, tour operators in both BiH and MNE have seen sales increased for walking and biking products directly along the Via Dinarica in 2013 (Black Mountain, Green Visions, Highlander Team). The unique selling point of the region is surely the mix of isolated , pristine and protected areas, high density of endemic and rare species of mountain flora and fauna and unique cultures. This gives the region a competitive advantage over other European outdoor destinations. Taking into account our previous experiences, increased number travelers, and keen interest from stakeholders we've decided to expand the Via Dinarica Trail throughout all the sections along the Central Dinaric Alps.

This project will address the following challenges:

Lack of information on the types of tourists that visit the region, their perception of the Western Balkans as well as their needs and preferences in terms of touristic offer.

Nonexistence of proper management plans that would be used by local authorities and tourism stakeholders in

order to secure long term use and profitability of local cultural and natural monuments as tourist attractions.

Insufficient and non-uniform promotion and marketing of the Via Dinarica Trail.

Lack of initiative from both private and public sector stakeholders in further developing the tourism potentials

of each respective community, particularly in rural areas.

Lack of co-operation and communication between the various stakeholders within the public, private and NGO

Sectors in order to make interventions in tourism sector easier to implement and to guarantee their sustainability.

Local products and handicrafts are not visible to the tourist visiting the region, nor is there a cohesive interaction

between producers of local products and local businesses (restaurants, accommodation providers, service providers etc.).

Lack of environmental awareness in the targeted region in order to preserve the beauty and attractiveness of the

tourist sites.

Poor nature based accommodation - such as mountain lodges or huts - that limits length of tourism offers in

both regions.

3. PROJECT DESCRIPTION

What we aim to do here, with this continuation of the initial Via Dinarica project, is to literally walk the entire trail in order to have a fully comprehensive analysis of the situation on the ground and to elevate the concept from an idea to a real, tangible product which is a mega-trail through mountain range of unique features that can be undertaken by combining of different outdoor activities like hiking, mountain biking, rafting, canyoning or rock-climbing. Knowledge and information gathered from an exhaustive 4-month multi-functional journey through each of the Dinaric nations will allow us to address the needs of targeted groups and provide recommendations in order to develop and sustain an offer of Via Dinarica route. The mapping and tourism resource inventory that will be conducted during the journey will be a key aspect of ascertaining what future actions should be prioritized and where.

The project also aims to simultaneously provide international and regional public relations and marketing to the Via Dinarica concept. Internationally, the region tends to get little or negative press. Bosnia and Herzegovina suffers from a poor image perhaps more than any country in the region. This project aims to provide continual international PR and marketing via daily blogs, photo galleries, and video on Via Dinarica web site (www.via-dinarica.org).

The project will also provide regional coverage by partnering with Al Jazeera Balkans who will cover the entire journey to create a news reports that will be aired, in the local language, throughout the Western Balkans region. There is also possibility for creating series of documentaries as adequate material will be recorded and collected.

One of the greatest challenges, however, is to generate and increase the interest and confidence of local stakeholders. By partnering with local „champions‟ from the private and NGO sectors involved in eco-tourism development (such as the KES Limit and Green Visions), the team, with its international and regional media clout, will assist these operatives in raising awareness of the concept and the wide range of benefits this type of tourism can and will have for each of communities involved.

4. TARGET GROUP

Target groups in this project proposal include the wider Via Dinarica community as one group and, as the second group, the regional and international travel community that will be reached through the underlying promotional effort spearheaded by the writings and publishing of international and local bloggers.

However, direct beneficiaries are :

- Households and small businesses around the trail providing accommodation, domestic food and traditional products;

- Outdoor tour operators, local hiking and outdoor clubs in communities of Margegaj, Plav, Mojkovac, Tjentiste, Foca, Kalinovik, Sarajevo, Konjic, Jablanica, Rama, Uskoplje/G.Vakuf, Fojnica, Kresevo, Bugojno, Kupres, Livno, Drvar, Kulen-Vakuf, Martin Brod, Bihac, Korenica, Gracac, Obrovac, Starigrad Paklenica, Senj, Delnice, Postojna, Ajdovscina i Nova Gorica

- National parks of Tehthi, Biogradska gora, Durmitor, Sutjeska, Una, Plitvicka jezera, Paklenica, Sjeverni Velebit, Risnjak as well as protected areas of Blidinje, Zrmanja and Postojna caves;

while indirect beneficiaries are:

- Local communities in at least 16 municipalities in 5 countries;- Mountaineering and tourism associations in Albania, Montenegro,Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and

Slovenia;

Being that this incentive comes from Bosnia and Herzegovina; the focal point of the project will be on the BiH component of the Via Dinarica. However, the partner organizations in the other countries of the Via Dinarica such as CSTI, UNDP Croatia, UNDP Albania, UNDP Montenegro and Tourism Association of Slovenia and other countries will be contacted and invited to support the similar hiking and mapping action within their territories, with the BiH action project office acting as the hub for the coordination of the effort across the countries: collecting all the data and providing the model for its processing.

5. OVERALL PROJECT GOAL

The overall goal of the project proposal is to improve and develop overall image of the countries in the region in order to increase number of visitors and tourists undertaking hiking and other outdoor activities along Dinaric Alps.

6. PROJECT OBJECTIVE

The project objectives are:

1. Conducted on-site mapping and resource inventory for the entire length of the Via Dinarica Trail which will be the basis for further development project schemes.

2. The region is promoted trough high profile public relations and marketing in both international and regional media for the entire duration of project implementation and beyond.

3. Conducted assessment of the needs and increased knowledge of the requirements of local communities and stakeholders which would enable local service providers to adjust/improve their tourist offer to meet prevailing demand.

7. EXPECTED RESULTS

Expected results are:

1. Mapped and marked key sections of the Via Dinarica Trail- as it crosses through the longest part of the trail- Bosnia and Herzegovina.

2. Continual, high profile media coverage at an international and regional level to promote the concept of the Via Dinarica Trail and all its unique regional (Albania, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Slovenia) characteristics.

3. User-friendly map on www.via-dinarica.org, where potential visitors will be able to see current offer and plan their own trip along the Via Dinarica route including downloadable GPS tracks tracks and applications for mobile phones.

4. Report on needs assessment and recommendations for future activities in the development of Via Dinarica area.

8. ACTIVITIES

Activity 1 – Walking and mapping the Via Dinarica Trail (resource inventory and rapid assessment) Practical: Simply put, traveling the length of the trail will help lay the actual hiking path so generations of future trekkers can enjoy the beauty shared throughout the region. Whilst the physical act of walking the trail will elevate Via Dinarica from ‘concept to reality’, the mapping, resource inventory and rapid assessment aspect will be of vital importance for further developing the Via Dinarica Trail into an international tourism destination with the standards to meet those aspirations. The entire length of the central trial will be marked by GPS coordinates, including main paths and crossing points to the trail arteries and recommended places to visit. An inventory of all resources, ranging from accommodation, water, villages, scenic viewpoints, restaurants, service providers, auxiliary activities, etc will be recorded as well as an assessment of trail conditions and accommodation along those trails, safety conditions and any and all relevant aspects. Completing this comprehensive task includes range of sub-activities:

1.1. For planning, administration and project management purposes the whole length of the Via Dinarica trail has been divided in to the 14 sections and for each section following information will be collected and entered into the database:

1. Established trails, marked and unmarked paths on and close by proposed central Via Dinarica Trail;2. Accommodation capacities and alternatives (camping spots);3. Summits; 4. Lakes;5. Rivers with falls and rapids;6. Caves and pits;7. Other geographical and geo-morphological highlights;8. Flora and fauna with focus on endemic species and curiosities;

9. Archaeological spots (Medieval thumb stones - stecci, roman roads, old churches etc.);10. Other tourism and outdoor sport activity spots (rafting, canyoning, mountain biking trails, rock climbing, bird watching);11. Mountain rescue service posts, contacts and area of responsibility;12. Hospitals and local clinics, police stations;13. Administration offices of districts and protected areas;14. Border posts and international border crossings; 15. Dangerous areas, particularly mine suspected areas;16. Holy places of all confessions; 17. Spots of curiosity from new history (2nd World War, Olympic Games, War 1992-95);18. Folklore and tradition curiosity spots(fairs, events, legends, stories);19. Available weather statistics.

1.2. The sections were identified based on administrative divisions, distribution of highlights and curiosities and the time required to cross them. Proposed sections are: Prokletije, South Montenegro, North Montenegro, Southeastern Bosnia, proposed BITRA NP, High Herzegovina, Vrbas region, Northwestern Herzegovina, Una NP, Eastern Croatia, Velebit, Risnjak NP and South Slovenia. Logistic challenges of hiking long trails are also considered, each section starts and finishes in populated place where tourist hikers can refill supplies and arrange assistance and services if needed. Hiking individual sections will take from 4 to 10 days, averaging one week per sections. Some sections of proposed Via Dinarica trail are already developed, some partly, while some sections may not have any infrastructure at all. Prior to starting actual hiking, all partners along the trail will be consulted and their inputs will be considered. It is possible that some sections will be redefined in the future or that new sections are proposed. However proposed “basis” for Via Dinarica sections are municipalities and districts of: Skadar, Plav, Mojkovac, Tjentiste, Kalinovik, Sarajevo, Konjic, Jablanica, Rama, Uskoplje/ Gornji Vakuf, Kupres, Livno, Drvar, Kulen Vakuf, Bihac, Plitvice, Starigrad/Paklenica, Delnice, Postojna i Nova Gorica.

1.3 The assessment questionnaire will be designed in order to collect and later analyse the information on accommodation capacities, sights, path conditions and other relevant information regarding the standard of the trail section or its needs for development. The questionnaire will be adapted for convenient collected data transfer into the digital form (database).

1.4 Walking the trail itself is actually the first official hiking expedition on this trail. However, due to the time limitations the focus will be on the key sections and on collecting uptodate information about these sections. . The remainder of the route will be mapped in cooperation with local Mountaineering Associations, Mountain Rescue Services and other Outdoor Adventure Service providers. A definite map of the Via Dinarica Trail will be developed in Google Earth and Maps, and made accessible through the Via Dinarica Website (www.via-dinarica.org) and the smart phone application. To be clear the route will not be marked by the project team, instead the team together with relevant partners in the region will identify the exact trail and compile existing gps tracks and those logged during the project. We will however place 150x Via Dinarica stickers (10cmx10cm) together with our regional partners along the entire trail on existing trail signage The entire trail will be branded and hikers, travelers and local communities will at all times know that they are on the Via Dinarica Route. The project team at the end of the project will have identified sections of the Via Dinarica which still need to be marked. This information can then be used when communities or a region wants to improve their section of the trail.

Activity 2 – Provide continual and comprehensive PR and marketing via international and regional media

Overall, the project will introduce and de-mystify this region, and the countries in it, to/for many potential international visitors.

2.1 Develop, design and publish promotional leaflet

A general leaflet describing the Via Dinarica Trail and the current status, project activities, and promotional activities planned, partners, as well as how to get involved, contribute and stay informed. The leaflet will be created in the first month of the project and distributed at the launch event, local and regional coordination meetings, and to local stakeholders when mapping the various key destinations in the region (AL, MNE, BiH, HR, SLO).

The project team will walk key sections of the Via Dinarica and log and collect accurate GPS data of the Via Dinarica Trail.. The entire trail will be broken down into sections, with corresponding gps tracks easily downloaded from the Via

Dinarica website.

Travellers are increasingly comfortable and savvy at planning, researching and booking trips on the go, according to a study by Expedia Media Solutions and comScore. A third of mobile users are planning on the go. Travellers will continue to use mobile to plan travel, but easy-to-use apps will drive usage. Travellers frequently turn to mobile devices for travel planning - whether conducting aspirational research, planning an existing trip or booking a last-minute getaway. With one out of every ten dollars spent online occurring on a mobile device, we should be adding mobile into our marketing mix.

2.2 Engage Navigo / Garmin Croatia to develop online Via Dinarica IPhone and Android App

Apps to include information collected throughout the project, i.e. tracks, points of interests, partners, funding institutions. The programming phase will last 3 months and the application will be ready by the end of November.

2.3. Web portal and New media development and administration (all)

Travellers never leave home without social media: More than half of today's travelling population (52%, according to MDG Advertising) relies on social media for inspiration when planning a vacation, and even more get social once they arrive; A Marriot survey indicates that 74% of travelers use social media while vacationing. MDG Advertising tags Facebook as the most popular source of travel inspiration, with 29% of users, followed by Trip Advisor, with 14%.

The current www.via-dinarica.org website is managed and administered by ATA BiH and provides a solid base for further future communication with relevant stakeholders. The feel of the website will have to be "professionalized" by engaging a professional copywriter to adjust the tone to reflect scale of the project. Various additional pages will have to be created to include, the blog, detailed google maps, a searchable stakeholder database and download pages for GPS tracks. Pictures and videos created through this project will also be placed throughout the site.

A professional web programmer will be engaged to make the above necessary changes to the website. This will not take long, since the current website is created in Drupal, a very scalable and well supported Content Management System (CMS).

A professional designer will be hired to create a new set of banners and gifs to give the website its new and updated look.

Finally, a web administrator will be hired to oversee the smooth running of the site, i.e. new data entry, daily picture and video uploads, install various security and CMS updates. After the project is completed, the website will be maintained and updated by ATA BiH in cooperation with partners involved in Via Dinarica Trail.

2.4 Develop, design and publish Brochure

ATA BiH will create an appealing, high quality printed end of project brochure to highlight the key activities achieved during the course of the project lifetime, i.e. the Via Dinarica route, photography, video, regional highlights, community involvement, partnerships, lessons learned, the future of the Via Dinarica, next steps, sustainability, etc. Professionals with a proven track record in international travel writing, photography, creation of tourism related publications will be hired to write and develop the brochure.

The brochure will be distributed at the final event of the project as well as in accordance with the final distribution list that will be prepared.

2.5. Identify and Engage regional and International Travel Bloggers

We will invite a set of travel writers/bloggers that will join the mapping expedition in several increments throughout the journey. Each journalist will be asked to blog about the specific part or section of the trip, and to provide us with material for the comprehensive Via Dinarica weblog that will be initiated by the project team. We will invite three to five journalists (1 freelance, 3 travel bloggers, and a photographer) from the US, UK, Sweden and Germany to participate in a 7-10 day comprehensive tour a specific part of the Via Dinarica. We selected the international bloggers based on their previous work experience, number of followers/popularity, recommendations from international outdoor

adventure experts, previous commissions with notable publications such as: National Geographic, New York Times, the Guardian, Washington post, Frankfurter Algemeine Zeitung, Cicero, TGO, and others, and their availability. In addition bloggers from local outdoor communities will be invited to join Via Dinarica Walk and contribute in promotion of the Via Dinarica Trail.

The idea is twofold. The bloggers will be shown and experience a unique perspective of the Dinaric region and Bosnia and Herzegovina’s cultural and natural heritage along the Via Dinarica Trail, including hot-spot & key attractions, and budget to five star service providers in accommodations, travel services, catering, etc. They will be asked to write about their experience for publishers in their respective countries/regions.

In order to reach a full range of potential visitors along the Via Dianrica route , we will reach out to niche freelance travel writers and travel bloggers. These tend to target independent and younger, more adventurous travelers who want to discover new destinations and non-conventional ways of experiencing tourist destinations. Henceforth, our focus on freelance journalists and travel bloggers from key European, North American and Australian markets; Germanic speaking markets, UK (which have worldwide distribution), a major US publication, Sweden/worldwide as the blog is in English. We feel that positive tourism press from these countries could have significant and quick impact on BiH’s tourism industry.

2.6. Develop news stories and series of documentaries on the Via Dinarica expedition

Al Jazeera will broadcast news reports on Via Dinarica development and progress of the project.

An idea has been discussed that series of documentaries on Via Dinarica highlights will be filmed and Al Jazeera Balkans documentary department is considering undertaking this project in cooperation with our team.

In this way, the project gains on both an international, regional and local level. For the international market, the journalists will write a positive tourism article about their experiences in the region in the UK, US, Germany, Austria, Sweden.

This will encourage people from the region to visit destinations along the Via Dinarica - most likely as independent travellers - as well as provide constructive criticism to the tourism service providers in the western Balkans on how to improve their products or services and what the strong points are in the eyes of foreigners. This type of invaluable feedback is crucial to building a sustainable tourism industry based on the needs, desires, and expectations of our target markets.

2.7. Project Events

Two main project events are planned to take place during the project lifetime. A launch event to bring together the main stakeholders (ATA BiH members, Regional Development Organizations, Municipal Authorities of the key areas, Protected Area and national Park Management, WWF, USAID – FIRMA Project, relevant ministries and tourism boards from the countries involved, various mountaineering associations along the VD trail, HGSS, Tourism Board of Slovenia, UNDP Croatia, UNDP Montenegro, UNDP Albania, and the media and highlight the Via Dinarica’s main objectives, the planned activities, and an invitation to get involved. This event will most likely be organized in either Blidinje or Ruiste, both ideal settings for setting the stage for the creation of a mainly mountain based trail throughout the region. The event will be covered by Al Jazeera, the project’s main media partner as well as a local media outlets and bloggers. The event is planned for the second week of September.

The second main promotional event will be held at the end of the project. This will be the ideal time to share with key project partners the achievements, activities completed lessons learned of the project as well as share pictures and videos made during the project team’s travels throughout the region. We will use this event to communicate the Via Dinarica’s main Unique Points of Interest for both the communities it passes through and the potential travellers. The event will be covered by Al Jazeera, local media outlets, and bloggers.

Activity 3 – Conducting needs assessment and information gathering along the Via Dinarica Trail, as well as developing relevant recommendations

All information gathered during the walking expedition along the Via Dinarica Trail will be entered into the database and analysed in order to provide in depth understanding of potentials and needs for the development of particular communities. Knowledge and information gathered from an exhaustive 4-month multi-functional journey through each of the Dinaric nations, in compiled report will allow us to address the needs of targeted groups and provide recommendations in order to develop and

sustain an offer of Via Dinarica.

Partnership in creating this is the key. Cooperation between donor agencies, government(s), local communities and private sector stakeholders is vital to the resilience and success of this vision. The project will reinforce the existing foundations of cooperation with a tangible and highly visible pilot that brings beneficiaries and stakeholders together in a productive and meaningful manner.

The term cross-border partnership is often used in project proposals. The Via Dinarica, however, is a literal case of cross- border partnership. The trail is one that crosses borders regardless of political, cultural, or historic differences. All the countries along the trail have a similar vision for themselves: to be presented in a healthy and positive way so that visitors might discover their beauty and encourage others to come visit, generate income, and carve a path for long term sustainable development.

Activity 4 – Project ManagementUnder this activity ATA will ensure proper management and monitoring of the project activities as well as maintain tight control of the usage of funds. Project assistant will be hired for the full implementation period to coordinate administration, logistic and external consultants contracting. Assptions and risks

ASSUMPTIONS AND RISKS

Assumptions are that all funding and equipment needed for project implementation is secured, and all partners involved are available to assist and willing to participate in project implementation.

The main risk is weather stability during the actual walk, mapping and filming activities.

Other risks are related to the availability of international bloggers and TV crews due to the short notice.

The risks involving security concerns and local administration barriers are minor and may not have any considerable impact on project activities. These types of risk may involve restriction on access to some areas and camping restrictions.

Interest and commitment of the regional partners to participate and support the project is vital for the success of the project and its sustainability. ATA BiH and its partners during previous projects have already established working cooperation with many of the institutions/organizations/media. Several of ATA BiH, UNDP and USAID’s previous projects were implemented in the target region of this proposal, we have an existing database of community leaders, as well as representatives of the relevant institutions (Ministry of Tourism, National Tourism Organizations, Local Tourism Organizations and National Parks), where the interest for this type of projects was clearly shown to draw from. Our initial research and discussions with UNDP Sarajevo about UNDP’s involvement in Croatia and Montenegro confirms there is every reason to believe that the response to the initiative will be positive.

9. Assumptions and risks

10. PROJECT DURATION

The duration of project is from 01 August 2013 to 31 January 2014. 

11. MONITORING AND REPORTING

The financial reporting practices will be met based on the standard practice on new bank account opened for this specific activity, and proof that the transactions from that bank account will be done for the activities agreed in the Agreement. This will ensure that money is spent only on activities approved and agreed.

Bimonthly progress reports will be delivered to the donor for review and adoption. All related documentation will be saved in hard and electronic copies, with adequate back up model. Specific reports will be delivered upon request.

Upon completion the narrative and financial reports will be provided to the UNDP.

ATA BiH Supervisory Board and Management Board will track and monitor that all activities are completed within expected time frame, budget and in accordance with ATA BiH internal regulations and legislations of BiH.

12. BUDGET

1. STAFF1.1. Project ManagerATA BiH will engage a full time experienced project manager for the duration of the project (6 months). This line item includes all wages and taxes. Project Manager will be field based and closely coordinate his activities with Project assistant, key Consultants, and regional stakeholders, and UNDP offices in the region.

1.2. Photographer / VideographerVarious professional Photographer / videographer will accompany the Project Manager for 3 months of the project. A total of 2 to 3 different Photographers / videographers will work on the project altogether. Due to the short summer period, we envision that two different photographers sometimes work simultaneously during the summer and early autumn months.

1.3. Journalist / BloggerSix bloggers will be engaged by the project to cover the Via Dinarica Trail in Summer, Autumn and Winter. This line item covers, international, local travel costs, and various incountry accommodation costs.

1.4. Project AssistantWages and taxes for six months for a full time ATA BiH employed Project assistant. Project Assistant provides continuous administrative and project support back up to the Project Manager.

1.5. AccountantAccountancy services for the period of six months will be provided under ATA BiH’s current contract for accountancy services with Respect doo.

1.6. Logistics supportThis line item includes the occasional hire of freelance drivers for pickups and drop offs throughout the region of Project Manager, Bloggers and other project staff. Eighty days for a period of 6 months spread out equally over the entire project period.

2. ACQUISITION OF SERVICES

2.1. Outdoor servicesThe Project manager will have to get involved in various outdoor adventure activities specific to the Key areas along the Via Dinarica Trail. These outdoor services ( guiding, bike/rafting/canyoning) will be paid for through this line item, when not provided free of charge by a partner.

2.2. Consultancy (mapping and information gathering)Data collection in the key and off the beaten path areas of the Via Dinarica is time consuming and intensive. Most field

work will have to be completed from August to the middle of October. The Project manager will be assisted on occasions by various local experts. Activities to be completed by these experts include the collection of specific information for the tourism resource inventory database, GPS trail logging and marking, accompany Aljazeera and individual bloggers in case Project Manager is engaged in another part of the Via Dinarica.

2.3. Consultancy (media, promotion and text material development)Twenty consultancy days are envisioned for the hire of a professional media consultant to create high quality texts for the leaflet, brochure, and website. The consultant will also connect and coordinate contacts with local and international media and bloggers to ensure best coverage of the Via Dinarica Trail and the project in the media.  

2.4. Consultancy (tourism development needs assessment and relevant recommendations development)An experienced regional Tourism consultant will be engaged to conduct needs assessment, develop relevant recommendations and practical sustainability plan for the Via Dinarica. The plan will outline the roles of and steps to be taken by all Regional Partners to secure future successful development of the Via Dinarica, propose a formal cooperation structure, minimum operational standards, create a basic branding concept, possible areas of future cooperation, new projects, etc. The consultant will be hired throughout the project for a total of 15 days. The consultant will also be a key person in the organization of the final event of the project.    

3. TRAVEL

3.1. Accommodation/FoodTwo hundred and thirty of the planned 240 accommodation nights and food are covered by various partners in the project. Only ten days are included in the budget in case of any unforeseen costs which partners are not able to cover.

3.2. Vehicle Rental/Lease monthsA 4WD will be rented/leased for five months of the project to provide transport for Project Manager, other project staff and bloggers.

3.3. Fuel monthsFuel for 4WD for the period of 5 months.

4 ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS

4.1. Office rental & equipmentCompletely covered by the main partner in the project for the duration of the project and includes office rent (project staff), heating, 2 office computers, printer, telephones, internet access, and conference space.

4.2. Communications (month)Covers the cost for mobile internet and telephone for two persons (Project manager and Assistant) for the project period.

4.3. Office SuppliesCovers pens, paper, cartridges, business cards and other promotional material, i.e. Via Dinarica stickers and Tshirts for partners.

5 EQUIPMENT

5.1. IT (Laptop)

ATA BiH will purchase a high quality durable laptop to be used by the Program Manager. The field visits will be intense, long and hard going, and we require a laptop with sufficient hard disk space to store collected database information, gps tracks, pictures, and video material.

5.2. Photo and Video SupliesPurchase of extra memory cards and batteries for photo and video cameras.

5.3. Outdoor Gear Lease (GPS, GoPro, walking gear, solar recharger)All Gear is provided for the duration of the project by Green Visions, and includes Garmin GPS 62s with detailed Maps of the entire region, GoPro Hero 2 outdoor adventure camera, walking gear, solar recharger Goal Zero Adventure Kit.

6 VISIBILITY

6.1. Result 1 (from the log-frame)6.1.1 Activity - 1.1 Develop and Create databaseEngage a professional consultant for 4 days to design the tourism inventory database, questionnaires, and reporting and analysis of collected data.

6.1.2 Activity - 1.4.6. Marking Key SectionsPurchase and place 150 Via Dinarica (10x10cm) signs along the key areas of the project.

6.2 Result 2 (from the log-frame)6.2.1 Activity - 2.1.1 Design leaflet lumpsumEngage a designer to create an attractive A4 size leaflet to be distributed at the project’s inception.

6.2.3 Activity - 2.1.2. Print leafletPrint 5,000 leaflets with local print company6.2.3 Activity - 2.2.5. Develop and distribute online Via Dinarica IPhone and Android AppEngage Navigo / Garmin Croatia to develop online Via Dinarica IPhone and Android App. Apps to include information collected throughout the project, i.e. tracks, points of interests, partners, funding institutions. The programming phase will last 3 months and the application will be ready by the end of November.

6.2.3 Activity - 2.3.1. Upgrade existing website (pictures, text and structure), design of new banners & ads, maintenance of social media channels & websiteA services agreement will be made with one individual or one company to provide all the upgrades to the existing website (pictures, text and structure), design & development of new banners & ads, and ongoing maintenance of social media channels & website during the project’s lifetime.6.2.3 Activity - 2.4.1 Design BrochureEngage a designer to create an attractive brochure to be distributed at the end of the project.  This line item covers the designers fees. Text and pictures will be provided by the project.

6.2.3 Activity - 2.4.3. Print BrochurePrint 1,000 brochures (42 pages) with local print company

6.2.3 Activity - 2.7.1. Plan and organize Launch EventCovers costs related to launch event in September and includes, space rental, drinks and snacks, invitations, equipment,

handouts, and media packages.

6.2.3 Activity - 2.7.2. Plan and organize Closing EventCovers costs related to the Closing event in January and includes, space rental, drinks and snacks, invitations, equipment, handouts, and media packages.

13. VISIBILITY

In the recent years, The Dinaric Arc was in the focus of many initiatives and projects aiming at development of the region it cover. The Via Dinarica Trail concept was created in 2011 by partners from BiH (ATA BiH members) and MNE and funded by EU's IPA Cross border program. The project highlighted the trail between Durmitor National Park and Sutjeska National Park, only a fraction of the entire trail. Building on the outcomes of the original project and the initial interest of mountain communities, government, tour operators and visitors, this project will expand the trail throughout the region and increase the overall awareness of the Via Dinarica Trail with professional imagery, video stories, and print material. The activities included under this section put the Via Dinarica Trail firmly in the imagination of both local and international stakeholders as well as secure a spot on the regional tourism map. The focus will be on key sections of the Via Dinarica Trail and highlight the best of in Albania, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Slovenia. The key theme under this section is to professionalize the information delivery of information about the Via Dinarica Trail. To inform and impress potential travellers, using modern means of communication, e.g. web, blog, stories, high quality imagery, and social media, about the uniqueness of the Via Dinarica Trail, the people, cultural heritage and natural beauty of the region.

One of the main outcomes of the project will be a detailed assessment of the tourism potential of the key areas, communities and natural areas along the Via Dinarica Trail. In addition, we will with assistance of regional UNDP Offices and other (existing and new) partners gauge the interest of the various communities along the key sections of the Via Dinarica trail. A set of detailed recommendations will be prepared based on the findings of the tourism resource inventory and rapid assessment conducted by field and other project staff.

The recommendations will include the following topics and areas:

- proposed main and other Via Dinarica routes,

- maintenance of trials by local stakeholders,

- standardization of tourism services,

- new media and web content generation,

- main regional partners,

- possible financing options,

- Via Dinarica Branding,

- relationships with local and international media,

- government involvement,

- Development priorities and opportunities.

ATA BiH will continue to act as the main focal point and repository for the Via Dinarica in BiH and the region unless otherwise agreed. ATA BiH will continue to manage and administer the main Via Dinarica Web and Social media sites, actively seek funding sources with its regional partners for the Via Dinarica, and include the final recommendations in its yearly work and action plans.One of the main project activities of the project is to provide continual and comprehensive PR and marketing of the Via Dinarica Route and concept via international and regional media. ATA BiH will in close cooperation with UNDP's communication department work out a visibility plan, based on USAID's, Japanese Government, and UNDP's internal visibility requirements. Included in this plan will be the procedures for including donor logos and supporting text on web, social media sites, and planned events, approval of press statements and other PR material (leaflet, brochure, web and social media content), media contacts, copyright and ownership of materials developed for print and digital content.Two main events are planned during the project life time. A launch event in the second week of September 2013 and a closing event in January 2014. These Events will primarily be used for informing the stakeholders about the project's objectives and achieved outcomes, as well as create a solid basis for including them in the implementation of the project and their solidify their role in the sustainability of the Via Dinarica Trail. All events will be planned and run in close cooperation with UNDP and other main project partners. One of the main project activities is to provide continual and comprehensive PR and marketing via international and regional media. Utilization of promotional tools and other promotional activities are explained under Activity 2 in chapter 8. – Activities. Detailed plan is included in Activity and Visibility plan which is attached to this document.

LIST OF ANNEXES

Annex 1 Budget breakdown and expenditure plan

Annex 2 Logical framework

Annex 3 Activity and visibility plan

Annex 4 Administrative identification form

Annex 5 Financial identification form

Annex 6 Eligibility statement

Annex 7 Check list