The County Governor of Hordaland,
the Department of Agriculture, has initiated a programme to develop
‘Landscape Parks’ in the Hordaland region. The project is organised as
a series of different development projects which will test a variety of
models of engagement:
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How can a particular farmer go forward and develop
produce and services connected to the cultural landscape, that offers
a sustainable economic return?
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How can business activity harmonise with the
maintenance and protection of landscape heritage?
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Which models of organisation can secure the
balanced growth of landscape-based business, in relation to both the
interests of a public common space and that of commercial
private-based business?
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What are the relevant borders of engagement for
landscape-based business development?
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How can regionalising and adapting agricultural
policy contribute to realising sustainable business and landscape
development?
Background
In France, Germany and Switzerland they have already
developed models for regional business development connected to the
realisation of valuable cultural landscape. It is through the help
of a pilot-project in Hordaland we will gain knowledge about how
regional Landscape Parks can be further developed here in
Norway.
Through relevant processes in our local communities
we can gain knowledge about which strategy we need for the future. We
wish to develop quality experiences closely connected to the regional
cultural landscapes, ones which will be of interest to an international
market.
Previous work with landscape and business
development in Hordaland
“Streif” guided-walks, which were first introduced
in 2005, have given us a taste of how different groups in the villages
can co-operate – we have also seen how the audience responds to such
intimate activity. The experiences from “Streif” and other similar
projects like “Trivselgrenda” “Småskala Reiseliv” and “Tradisjonsmat”,
can be used in further work to establish the rural landscape as a
resource for economic growth in the villages.
Potential landscapes could be bordering existing
protected natural areas, or could be other valuable landscape types
such as summer mountain pastures or coastal heath land.
Local identity will be an important, unique and
valuable resource towards this effort. The travel and tourism
business in particular, needs farmers to maintain the cultural
landscape as a valuable experience for domestic and international
tourists. But a variety of experiences, other than that of landscapes
alone can be developed. New produce such as traditional food and crafts
are also needed, this should be sympathetic to and characterised by the
local uniqueness.
The concept of ‘Geotourism’ – where cultural
landscape, heritage, local food and intimate small-scale travel,
creates sustainable tourism – this should be the basis for the
development of new experiences and produce from the landscape
communities.
If such a focus is to be successful, both the
villages and the regional Councils need to have an active interest,
knowledge and ability to work with developing products. Cooperation and
networking is important to achieving these goals. The specific
identities of individual areas need to be profiled, so that customers
understand which qualities come from which areas.
What can we offer?
Those involved in the pilot-project will get help
and economic support from FoU, funding which can be used towards a
variety of tasks, such as project management.
What we require of the participants
Participants will be required to deliver a project
proposal, focusing on sustainable development and including detail of
the start-up period of the planned activity.
Applications need to meet the following
criteria:
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The area to be considered should possess a
potential for the development of a cultural landscape – offering the
possibility to maximise the unique qualities and cultural values of
the specific area.
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The area should have some relevant experience of
cooperation, like for example existing business development
projects.
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The project must seek funding and professional
support from the Council, amongst others.
We require a project draft, which explains the
vision behind maximising the cultural value of the specific place. It
should also include details about landscape management and restoration,
the creation of sustainable business developments and how the project
is to be organised. The document should also include a financial plan.
Pilot participants are free to allocate funding towards landscape
initiatives or the employment of personnel to the project.
Who can apply?
The project means are to be announced in the
Hordaland region. Different types of organisations such as
municipalities, associations, village committees and others are welcome
to apply to the project.
Time frame and financing
The project will last until the end of
2008.
In total there is 4 million Norwegian Kroner for
project use. The funding has been allocated from Innovasjon Norge
(Innovation Norway), Hordaland County Council, The County Governor of
Hordaland and the other participating municipalities.