Месяц: 1ТП1Ц

Kerim Medjedovic, delegate of the Local Democracy Agency of Montenegro, took part on 21-22-23 October into a study visit to Monfalcone and Dolegna Municipalities in Friuli Venezia Giulia region (Italy), together with representatives of partner institutions and organizations: Samedin Agovic (Secretariat for entrepreneurship of the Municipality of Bijelo Polje), Pavo Perugini (Community of Italians of Montenegro) and Zlatan Medjvedovic, (Society of Montenegrin Slovenians “Vida Matjan”).

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The visit was organized for multiple reasons, first of all the coordination meeting of the Welfare Youth Development – Project Committee, that was taking place in Monfalcone: this project, implemented from January 2017 to June 2018, is funded by the Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia and aims to provide support to young people exposed to risky behaviour.

In addition to opportunities for development with new partnerships, this tour was also a chance for visitors from Montenegro to visit the enogastronomic-cultural event “Sapori in Cantina” in the municipality of Dolegna, province of Gorizia, on the Italian border with Slovenia. This traditional event, which aims to promote the territory and its products, is organized through a visit of 6 local winemakers together with tasting of wine and traditional dishes, accompanied by music and dance.

The Delegate had also the opportunity to meet with partners from the Montenegro Greeters project, funded by Friuli Venezia Giulia region, which will be implemented by the LDA together with the Cooperative Cramars from Tolmezzo and the Association of Young Ecologists Niksic. The project supports the development of an alternative tourist offer in Montenegro through the promotion of the model “meeting the territory by looking through my eyes”; this implies the concept of Greeter Destinations, or tourist guides – Greeters form of volunteers, who welcome smaller groups of tourists trying to present their country in an alternative way, this means as the local community member see it. Such an initiative should contribute to intercultural exchange and support sustainable tourism, which positively influences cultural heritage and brings economic benefits to local communities. The first Greeter Centre was established in 1992 in New York. The founding idea was originated by Lin Brooks, who has acquired many friends on her travels around the world over the years and wished to host them in her hometown to show them New York as she experienced it; today, many cities around the world have their own Greeters centres operating under the umbrella of the Global Greeters Network in New York. The aforementioned project will provide the creation of a primary base of alternative tourist guides, which will have their presentation on a web site; tourists will be than able to get acquainted with the undiscovered parts of Montenegro. The LDA Montenegro, together with its partners, will implement project activities with the support of Crania Greeters.

Last but not least, during the visit LDA Montenegro delegate met ALDA board member Alessandro Perelli, along with other ALDA members representatives of Monfalcone and Bijelo Polje Municipalities.