The Maribor Development Agency, in cooperation with other partners, carried the project out between 26^th July 2005 and 26^th September 2006. The Following partners participated in the project: Verband der Naturparke Österreichs (Austria, Graz), Institute of RS for Nature Conservation – Regional Unit Maribor, Institute for Agriculture and Forestry Maribor, Institute for Agriculture and Forestry Ptuj, Scientific Research Centre Bistra Ptuj, Maribor, Ptuj and Ormož Fishing Associations, Hunting Association Središče, City Municipality Maribor, City Municipality Ptuj, Municipalities Ruše, Selnica ob Dravi, Duplek, Miklavž na Dravskem polju, Starše, Hajdina, Videm, Markovci, Zavrč, Gorišnica, Ormož and Dravske elektrarne Maribor d.o.o.(associated partner to the project).

The purpose of the project was to insure long-term preservation of species and habitats in the River Drava area - Natura 2000 area and raise the level of knowledge, awareness, and willingness to cooperate of all participants in order to achieve a harmonized and sustainable development of the area. The project strived to establish co-ordinated use of area sectors and improve the quality of various factors to allow sustainable management of the Drava river basin.

The basic goal of the project was to contribute to preservation of biological diversity in the Natura 2000 area of the River Drava and to ensure sustainable development of the border area between Slovenia and Austria. Specific goals were: establishing a base for sustainable use of natural resources, preparation of a basis for management, preservation and improvement of the current situation of ecologically important species and raising the awareness and readiness of participants and the general public in order to achieve a harmonized sustainable development of the area.

The target groups of the project were local communities, owners and leaseholders of agricultural and wooded areas; concessionaires, interested experts and the general public, tourists and chance visitors, school children and pedagogical staff.

As a part of the project vital areas for different species and habitat types were established and data on the biological diversity situation was gathered. From this a draft of the integral plan for management of River Drava area was made. Quality information infrastructure and Nature 2000 promotion mechanisms contributed to better knowledge and increased awareness of the public of the importance of natural resources in the River Drava area.

The project has contributed to the long-term preservation of a favourable state of nature in the River Drava area, were active involvement and cooperation of everyone using this area is of key importance. Favourable conditions for incorporation of all nature preservation topics into strategic and spatial documents of local communities and individual sector politics have been ensured, which is simultaneously the main condition for ensuring a long-term, harmonized, multi-purpose use of the area. In this regard project TrUD represents a quality foundation and an important starting point on the way to a sustainable management of the River Drava area.

Cross-border cooperation in terms of best practice model transfer and cooperation on the draft for an integral management plan established conditions for joint long-term strategic planning and activities concerned with sustainable development in the target cross-border area. Depending on the established partnership and active inclusion of designated target groups the project results will be upgraded and incorporated into guidelines and operation of an integrated bilateral structure for the Euro region of NW Slovenia - Styria.

By establishing a broad project partnership, basic guidelines have been set and quality conditions for achieving a harmonized and nature friendly use of the area ensured; as well as a long-term development vision for the area. Quality cooperation between key actors has been established and conditions for a public-private partnership created; which will reflect in the organization structure model for managing the whole Natura 2000 area along the River Drava. Project results will be used for financial planning for the period 2007-2013 and will be reflected on a local as well as regional and international level, especially with the integration of a cross-border partnership policy in the Euro region of NW Slovenia – Styria.

Further information on the project: http://www.mra.si