Deçan/Dečani, Novembre 20, 2025_ The final conference of the project “NaturKosovo: Natural and Cultural Capital in Kosovo and the Sustainable Tourism Development of the Via Dinarica” took place this morning, attended by His Excellency the Italian Ambassador to Kosovo, Maurizio Antonini, the Interim Minister of Industry, Entrepreneurship, and Trade of the Republic of Kosovo, R. Hajdari, and Letizia Fischioni, AICS Tirana Acting Head of office.
Organized by the NGO “Volontari nel Mondo RTM,” the conference presented activities, results, and best practices developed over the three years of implementation (May 2022 – November 2025), in particular:
- Strengthening of the Via Dinarica’s Kosovo section, coordinated by experts from the Italian Alpine Club (CAI). Stretching 160 km and divided into 13 stages, this trail is located within the “Cursed Mountains” (Bjeshket and Nemuna) National Park;
- Enhancement of local institutions, with two main focuses: promoting tourism and creating thematic trails in the municipalities of Peja/Peć, Deçan/Dečani, and Junik, establishing a reliable mountain rescue service and purchasing individual and team equipment, thanks to training courses led by experts from the Italian National Alpine and Speleological Rescue Corps (CNSAS);
- Support to 31 local micro and small tourism businesses (accommodation, mountain services and sports, traditional agri-food and artisanal products, etc.) thanks to the €360,000 Endowment Fund;
- Promotion of the “Via Dinarica Kosovo” brand, managed by the Italian Association for Responsible Tourism (AITR) at the European level and by the UTALAYA Foundation at the regional level, through participation in trade fairs and industry events, and promotion with journalists and tour operators.
The event concluded with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to entrust the Via Dinarica Kosovo brand to a consortium of local organizations and institutions. The MoU was signed by Mayors G. Muhaxheri (Peja/Peć), B. Ramosaj (Deçan/Dečani), and R. Shehu (Junik), along with A. Nikçi, President of the Kosovo Mountaineering and Sport Climbing Federation.
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“NaturKosovo” is a €1.8 million project funded by the Italian Development Cooperation and implemented by Volontari nel Mondo RTM and CELIM Milano, in collaboration with the Italian Alpine Club, the Italian National Alpine and Speleological Rescue Corps, the Italian Association for Responsible Tourism, and the UTALAYA Foundation.
