The Round Table »Kočevska reka and Kočevska Reka Lake – centre of LIFE Kočevsko project activities«

Within the E3 action (Networking with stakeholders: educating, training and raising awareness) representatives of Kočevje municipality, Slovenia forest service – regional unit Kočevje, Institute of the Republic of Slovenia for Nature Conservation and LU Kočevje (adult education centre) presented selected stakeholders with activities to be carried out around the lake within the project LIFE KOČEVSKO framework. The activities will be aimed at raising awareness, informing, encouraging cross-sector cooperation and increasing the visibility of the project amongst local and general population. The goal is, after the project is over to include the project equipment and infrastructure into a lasting tourism product that will attract more visitors to the area in the long term. The key to reaching this goal is integration and cooperation of all interested parties.

Within the next two years, the municipality of Kočevska Reka will encourage and support training of tourist guides and encourage small businesses through education and various other incentives to promote development of tourism, visibility of the municipality and provide motivated individuals with business opportunities.