Thematic Objective

Preserving and Protecting the environment and promoting resource efficiency (6).

Investment Priority

Taking action to improve the urban environment, to revitalise cities (6(e)).

Results Expected

The reason we are trying to improve this policy objective is that our Operational Programme is now aligned with our Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies. Our Horizontal Principles are committed to sustainability, promotion of our natural & builds heritage and connectivity of our cultural resources. Greenways have been identified as a key product supporting our regional propositions - development, job creation and sustainability. In addition, the policy instrument is promoting a more effective understanding of our natural and built heritage due to enhanced access. Most importantly the governance of Greenway Development has been effected due to the lack of coordination and other funding mechanisms. At the completion of the 'Our Way' project we aim to have an effective regional plan and full understanding of available financial instruments

The Podkarpackie Region Board have adopted a program document entitled Regional Innovation Strategy for the Podkarpackie Region for the years 2014-2020 for smart specialization (RIS3), where regional smart specializations were defined. As one of them pointed out is the Smart Specialization - Quality of Life, which takes into account the development of sustainable tourism. One of the Operational Objectives of the RIS3 Strategy of Podkarpackie Voivodeship is the development of eco-innovative profiled tourist services. As the part of the innovation system is the operating of the Podkarpackie Innovation Council - an advisory body for the Board of Podkarpackie Region and the Smart Specialization Panels - including the Panel on Quality of Life. Their functioning is financed under the system project implemented within the priority axis of the Podkarpackie ROP for the years 2014-2020. Implementation of the RIS3 Strategy involves the continuation of the Entrepreneurial Discovery Process - EDP(including the activities of the Podkarpackie Innovation Council and the Regional Panels of Smart Specialization - Quality of Life). EDP aims at identifying business areas where joint action and innovative projects can be implemented, as well as searching of synergies and opportunities for cooperation between regions. There is a need to focus the Quality of life panel for strengthening the sustainable tourism in region by the OUR WAY project.

Thematic objective: 06–Preserving and protecting environment and encourage the efficient use of resources.

Priority of the investment: 6c-Conserving, protecting, promoting and developing natural and cultural heritage.

The ERDF OP supports the valorisation and promotion of the cultural and natural sites in our Region. The expected results of the chosen policy instrument are as stated in OP: to support the activities of labelling for qualification and categorise the sites and support the actions which are aiming to promote and develop natural and cultural sites in order to contribute to structuration of products and leisure in Languedoc-Roussillon (Occitanie) region. The content of OP actions refers to these results and also to do studies and prospective on frequentation of the sites and their accessibility to tourists. The priority of the policy instrument is to both to preserve and protect environment and on the other hand to promote the sustainable use of natural resources by conserving, protecting, prioritising cultural and natural heritage.

The policy instrument should be improved, as there is not, to support touristic economy which represents 15% Regional GDP and 7% employment. This can be realized by designing and implementing a systematic and integrated management plans for natural and cultural sites in Greenways. In this way the lack of promotion and attractive offer can be tackled and innovative practices for the protection of environment can be developed.

The Regional Development Programme of Hajdú-Bihar County for 2014-2020 integrates the strategic goals of the county at both sectoral and territorial levels. The objectives of the programme include 8 priorities; within this project we plan to address Priority 3: Competitive Economy focusing on Measure 3.5: Tourism based on county values. This covers developments in Hortobágy National Park; health, eco, pilgrim, nature-related, cultural and active tourism developments with specific focus on preserving built, natural and cultural heritage; formulation of new networks focusing on thematic trails, with special regard to keeping people in the region and promoting local collaborations, while strengthening SMEs. The main aim of the policy instrument is clear but an improved structural background is required with an appropriate approach, enhanced capacity and the potential to creating institutional programmes with incentives as well. New methodologies to efficiently implement the preservation and maintenance tasks are also needed.

The policy includes following measures and activities relevant to the project:

Under priority 6c -Conserving, protecting,promoting and developing natural and cultural tourism -OP Regions in Growth/Related training for the staff, working at the supported attractions.Development of tourist infrastructure (tourist paths, climbing routes, horse riding and biking routes

and fairs and organize of expedition trips, visits of travel agents, tour operators,

writers of travel guides, journalists for promoting the supported attractions;

• Public awareness, including through campaigns for raising the awareness

• Improving the access of people with disabilities to the cultural heritage sites

• Integrated tourism management schemes, coordinated tourism supply development

The main reason that the policy instrument should be improved is to focus more intensively on the role of Greenways in protection, promotion and development of natural and cultural tourism as an innovative approach and quality new glance to the opportunities that the region give for territorial development and growth. The access to unique natural and cultural attractions using Greenways, is an economic and environment friendly infrastructure and transport and also healthy way for tourism. The policy instrument should include measures to promote Greenways

services more visibly and involve more players and better participation of the enterpreneurs.