Communicating the Charter

Communication to all participating stakeholders about development and evaluation of all Charter activities

How to enhance communication of the Charter on the protected area and regional level was one of the main issues that were discussed in the network meeting of the Spanish and Portuguese Network and the European Network of the Charter.

During the workshop at the European Charter Network Meeting in the Sierra Nevada, variuos issues related to the internal communication in the protected area were discussed. Following groups were defined as main target groups:

• the local tourism businesses
• other stakeholders involved in the implementation of the Action Plan (particularly the tourism administrations)
• other local stakeholders, local population and visitors

One of the suggestions from the workshop was to provide regular information on the Charter was to communicate through newsletters (paper or digital) and the website giving a special focus to the local tourism businesses.

We have compiled some good examples from the Charter Areas for your information.

Websites:

Garajonay National Park (E)

The local rural development group AIDER Gomera, that has been actively invovled and carrying forward the Charter process in the Garajonay National Park on the Isle of La Gomera has developed an excellent website especially dedicated to the European Charter in the area. The website gives a detailled overview of the Charter process and its outcomes. All documents related to the Charter are available for download. A special area is dedicated to following up and evaluating the actions of the Action Plan.

Adamello Brenta Nature Park (I)

Also a very good example on well compiled on the Charter. Under the menu item "Progetti in acto" an up-to-date evaluation and their stauts of advance of the ongoing activities of the area's Action Plan is given. 

Forest of Bowland AONB (UK)

The Forest of Bowland AONB

Protected Areas Network of Andalucia (RENPA) (E)

The Protected Areas Network of Andalucia (RENPA) is the responsible entity on the regional level at the Ministry of the Environment of Andalucia in the south of Spain. They make available a information on the European Charter and especially the application process.

Further examples:

• Causses du Quercy (F)
• Pfälzerwald Nature Park (D)
• Mourne AONB (UK)
• Somiedo Nature Park (E)
• Delta de l'Ebre Nature Park (E)

Newsletters:

In the framework of their new Action Plan the Natural Area of Sierra Nevada has created a newsletter on their Charter activities to inform the public about ongoing and future activities. The first edition was launched in August 2009 and publication will be made bi-annually.

Also the Adamello Brenta Nature Park in Italy is publishing a yearly newsletter with detailled information on the oingoing projects and their status.

The "Tourism Update" is a bi-monthly update from Exmoor National Park Authority keeping tourism providers updated with the latest news.

Tourism Garrotxa is a private non-profit making association that, since 1996, has promoted the development of tourism that is sustainable and respectful of the environment and acts as the Forum for Sustainable Tourism in the area. They have published a tourism guide with information on tourism activities in La Garrotxa.

Examples of all Newsletters can be downloaded on this page.