International organisations implementing Interreg and other EU projects in Bosnia and Herzegovina need a partner who can deliver activities on site. MICE.BA is a PCO and DMC agency based in Mostar with experience in cross-border EU projects across Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Montenegro.
This case study presents our work on the EU project ePATH, where we delivered field activities in a protected nature area.
The EU project Endemic Pathway (ePATH) developed a joint tourism offer called “Endemic Pathways” in three protected nature areas along the Adriatic coast. Each area is home to rare and endemic species of flora and fauna found only in that habitat. The project connected the three areas into one cross-border tourism route. Through joint programmes and activities, the partners attracted new visitors and promoted the protection of natural heritage.
Project facts:
Project: Endemic Pathway (ePATH)
Programme: Interreg IPA Cross-border Cooperation Programme Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro 2014-2020, co-financed by the European Union through ERDF and IPA II funds
Project partners: Hutovo Blato Nature Park (Čapljina, Bosnia and Herzegovina), Kotišina Botanical Garden (Makarska, Croatia) and Tivat Saltpans Special Nature Reserve (Tivat, Montenegro)
Client: Hutovo Blato Nature Park
Field: Nature protection, cultural and nature tourism
Hutovo Blato is a wetland nature park in the south of Bosnia and Herzegovina, listed as a Ramsar Site of international importance. The park is one of the key bird habitats in the Western Balkans and an important stopover for migratory birds.
The MICE.BA Role in the Project
Hutovo Blato Nature Park engaged MICE.BA to deliver the project’s soft activities in Bosnia and Herzegovina. We organised a series of events that combined education, recreation and the promotion of the park’s natural values.
- Birdwatching competitions: We organised competitions for park visitors that attracted nature lovers and ornithologists from the region. Each competition required on-site logistics, coordination of judges and communication with participants. All supporting materials followed the EU visibility guidelines.
- Workshops on endangered and endemic species: We prepared and coordinated workshops for different visitor groups. Workshops for school-age children presented the endemic flora and fauna of Hutovo Blato through interactive learning.
- Birdwatching and plant observation camps: We organised multi-day camps led by biologists and naturalists. Camp logistics included accommodation, catering, field vehicles and all support services for a safe stay in the protected area.
- Project meetings: We coordinated project team meetings for monitoring progress and aligning activities between partners from three countries.
All activities complied with the EU visibility guidelines. Every material, banner and public announcement carried the required donor and partner markings.
In total, we delivered 2 competitions, 4 workshops and 2 camps for target groups and more than 400 participants.
What ePATH Shows About EU Project Event Delivery
EU project events extend well beyond the conference hall. On ePATH, the venues included a boat on the river, an observation point in the reeds and a workshop for children holding binoculars for the first time. Each format required its own preparation, logistics and approach to participants. MICE.BA brings this flexibility to every project, adapting to each format, location and target group.
Your Implementation Partner for Cross-border EU Projects
International lead partners, public institutions and consultancies work with MICE.BA as their implementation partner in the region. We know the requirements of Interreg and IPA programmes and the local conditions in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Montenegro.
What international partners receive from MICE.BA:
- Delivery of project activities in protected areas, rural locations and urban venues
- Coordination of local experts, guides, suppliers and subcontractors
- Communication and reporting in English
- Full compliance with EU visibility and reporting requirements
- One point of contact and one invoice for all local services
Are you implementing an Interreg or other EU project with activities in Bosnia and Herzegovina? Contact us to plan project activities with a partner who knows the region and its protected areas.
Author: Josipa Terzić – Rezić, CIS and CCMEP Certified Professional Event Organiser
CIS – Certified Incentive Specialist (certified by SITE – Society for Incentive Travel Excellence)
CCMEP – Certified Congress, Meeting, and Event Professional (certified by the HCCP – Croatian Association of Congress Professionals)
mice@mice.ba | GSM: +387 63 408 597 | www.mice.ba
