Vjosa/Aoos River Eco-museum, Training workshop on capacity building
On 5-6 December 2013, the Institute for Nature Conservation in Albania (INCA) in collaboration with the Municipality of Përmet organised a capacity building workshop at the premises of Multifunctional Centre in Përmet. The activity was organised in the framework of the VAEcoM project (Vjosa/Aoos River Eco-museum) aiming at promotion and protection of cultural and natural heritage of Vjosa/Aoos River Basin, as part of the IPA cross-border program "Greece - Albania 2007-2013" funded by European Commission and the national funds from both countries.
The purpose of the workshop was to provide the necessary guide for the local operators that will be involved at the Eco-museum of the Vjosa/Aoos River Basin, in order to raise awareness on the excellent opportunities that the eco-museum might bring to the future development of the area and to increase capacities for joint collaboration and its management. The workshop was focused on modeling the necessary information and comprehensive cooperation with stakeholders, operators and local NGOs in Vjosa valley. At the end of the training activity, Workshop Certificates for completion were provided for all participants.
The Eco-museum of Vjosa/Aoos River Basin is a joint initiative launched by two non-governmental organizations: Mediterranean Institute for Nature and Anthropos (Med-INA) in Greece and the Institute for Nature Conservation in Albania (INCA). The establishment of the eco-museum is also supported by local partners on both sides of the Greek-Albanian border, Perivallontiki Pindos in Greece and Albanian Local Forest Service Directory and Përmet Municipality. The aim of the project is to establish and develop a cross-border eco-museum at the cross-border area between Greece and Albania, focusing on the natural and cultural heritage of the Vjosa/Aoos River Basin, including all aspects of productive, social and cultural environment. Such an \"alive\", multi-dimensional museum without walls will incorporate not only education aspects but also science and social psychological and spiritual dimensions of the surrounding community.
Establishment of the Eco-museum of Vjosa/Aoos River Basin has helped establish also a close cooperation with the local communities as well as a network with local operators which will continue this work in the future and implement further activities in order to make the museum known and more attractive and expand opportunities for cross-border cooperation beyond the project lifetime. The Eco-museum of Vjosa/Aoos River Basin will be managed by members of the network that will be part of the Albania-Greece network established through a joint memorandum signed by members in both countries.
The Eco-museum of Vjosa/Aoos River is expected to open its doors in February 2014 in the Municipality Multifunctional Center Përmet.
Eventually, the project will have a positive impact on the cross-border area with significant socio-cultural, economic and environmental implications. It is expected that cross-border cooperation between Greece and Albania regions will improve the communication and promote future cooperation for natural resource management between the current managers of the respective protected areas.
The Eco-museum of Vjosa/Aoos River Basin will become a permanent institution for the area with at least one starting points in each country, useful to local community and visitors. It will help the local community on both sides of the border to promote and protect their natural environment, preserve the traditions of their ancestors, and improve their economies through tourism promotion.
