At the conference held on January 23, 2025, in Žabljak, the project ” For.REST: Forest Tourism in the Cross-border Area between Serbia and Montenegro” was presented.
The project is implemented by the Municipality of Žabljak as the project coordinator in collaboration with partner organizations: Center for Protection and Research of Birds, Podgorica, Bird Protection and Study Society of Serbia and Limited liability society “Reserve Uvac” Nova Varoš.
The total value of the project is €249,354.08, of which the European Union co-finances 85% of the total value.
The project implementation started on October 1, 2024, and will last for 24 months.
By approving this project, the European Union recognized the importance of forest tourism as an innovative development model that contributes to the preservation of natural resources, improvement of quality of life in rural communities, and creation of sustainable tourism products.
The “For.REST” project is based on research confirming the exceptional physiological and psychological benefits of being in forests, including stress reduction and increased general health. The cross-border area of Serbia and Montenegro, with 4 national parks and 15 protected natural areas, is ideal for the development of forest tourism.
The project brings innovative activities aimed at improving the tourism offer and supporting local communities. The activities focus on the valorization of natural resources and creating unique experiences for domestic and foreign visitors.
This project has the potential to significantly improve the living standards of over 43,030 residents of the border area of Serbia and 7,430 residents of Montenegro through the development of tourism products that promote nature and health. The project brings together partners from the Republic of Serbia and Montenegro and contributes to the preservation of natural heritage, promotion of sustainable tourism, and improvement of the quality of life in local communities.
