On 19 October 2026, AGRRA – Rural Development Agency of Zadar County organised two local participatory workshops of the Interreg CENTRAL EUROPE project ENRICH-US at the Benkovac City Library in Croatia.
The workshops brought together representatives of local governments, tourist boards, family farms, associations and entrepreneurs to discuss tourism governance challenges and opportunities for sustainable eco-cultural tourism development in the Ravni Kotari pilot area.
The two meetings formed part of the project’s participatory approach, combining territorial analysis, stakeholder engagement and the joint development of practical governance solutions.
Workshop 1: Exploring tourism governance models
The first workshop focused on presenting and discussing the results of the local needs analysis and stakeholder mapping, which identified 38 key stakeholders relevant to tourism development in the territory.
Participants reviewed three potential tourism governance models:
- Destination Management Organisation (DMO): Coordinated management, promotion and development of tourism destinations.
- Community Cooperative (CC): Community participation, local ownership and shared benefits from tourism development.
- Public–Private–Community Partnership (PPCP): Cooperation between public institutions, businesses and community actors around shared tourism objectives.
The discussion explored the potential advantages and challenges of each model and their relevance to the specific characteristics and needs of Ravni Kotari.
Workshop 2: Defining a shared vision and first steps
The second workshop built on the governance model discussion and focused on developing a common vision for the future of eco-cultural tourism in the pilot area.
Through group work and participatory discussion, stakeholders explored the most suitable governance approach, identified possible roles and responsibilities and proposed initial practical steps for implementation.
The workshop encouraged cooperation between public authorities, tourism organisations, local producers, entrepreneurs and community representatives.
Particular attention was given to developing a realistic approach that builds on local resources, existing partnerships and the distinctive cultural and natural heritage of Ravni Kotari.
From stakeholder engagement to pilot activities
The results of both workshops will provide an important basis for the preparation of the Territorial Governance Concept and the subsequent development of pilot activities within ENRICH-US.
The process will continue in close cooperation with the Ravni Kotari Tourist Board, supporting a coordinated approach to local tourism management and strengthening links between different stakeholder groups.
The workshops demonstrated the value of participatory planning in building a shared vision and identifying practical solutions that reflect local needs.
AGRRA would like to thank all participants, the Benkovac City Library, and the project’s associated partners, the Benkovac Heritage Museum and the Ravni Kotari Tourist Board, for their valuable cooperation and contributions.
Through activities such as these, ENRICH-US supports stronger partnerships, community participation and sustainable eco-cultural tourism development across Central Europe.