5th Local Living Lab discussion in Croatia
On February 25, 2025 - The Public Institution for the Management of Protected Areas of Nature in Dubrovnik-Neretva County organised the fifth GREENHEALTH Local Living Lab.
Taking place in the morning at the City Cultural Center in Metković, the workshop began with a brief overview of the project followed by a presentation on the natural values of the Neretva River Valley.
Participants were then encouraged to share their thoughts on the condition of protected areas in the Neretva Valley and to suggest measures to address threats to biodiversity, which have a ripple effect on human health. In addition to identifying the threats, attendees were prompted to suggest practical measures to address these challenges effectively. Ideas ranged from promoting sustainable tourism practices to increasing community engagement in conservation efforts.
The conversation focused the interconnectedness of biodiversity and human health and how the decline of natural habitats can lead to the loss of ecosystem services that are vital to human survival, such as clean air and water, food security, and climate regulation.
The knowledge exchanged during the workshop aims to facilitate actionable steps for enhancing both human well-being and biodiversity conservation. By fostering collaboration among local stakeholders, conservationists, and policy-makers, the workshop seeked to create a holistic approach to managing and protecting the Neretva Valley's natural resources and increasing health and wellbeing outcomes for the population and visitors of the natural sites.
You can find an article about the event on the official website of the the Public Institution for the Management of Protected Areas of Nature in Dubrovnik-Neretva County