Deadline: 21-May-24
UNDP is pleased to announce the Via Dinarica Innovation Challenge that aims to support the development of sustainable tourism based on natural resources and to strengthen communities located near tourist attractions in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The innovation challenge is launched with the aim of modernizing and enhancing tourism services along the trails and sites of the Via Dinarica through the support of sustainable, applicable, and innovative solutions. The innovation challenge for grant funding is implemented within the project activity called “Traditional and Modern Tourism Services Based on Natural, Cultural, and Historical Heritage,” developed in collaboration with experts and active communities. Through the implementation of the innovation challenge, the project will support innovative nature-based solutions for sustainable tourism development developed in collaboration with local communities and the private sector along the Via Dinarica trails, as well as in protected natural areas. This includes all categories of protection (national parks, natural landmarks, protected habitats, protected landscapes, areas with sustainable use of natural resources, as well as Ramsar sites).
Within this innovation challenge, high-quality innovative solutions are expected, which will result from synergistic thinking and action of various stakeholders in local communities. These solutions should represent a response to real problems in local communities in the areas of environmental protection, technology application, as well as integration of cultural and artistic content in the development of sustainable tourism services.
The plan is to select and support the implementation of the top 3 highest-rated innovative solutions. These are innovative solutions that enable the improvement of existing or creation of new tourism services along the trails and sites of the Via Dinarica and that adhere to the following basic principles:
- The solution is new and original along the trails and sites of the Via Dinarica.
- The solution respects or enhances the ecological sustainability of the location.
Through the implementation of the innovation challenge, UNDP aims to enhance the overall tourist experience on the Via Dinarica trails, making it more attractive, interactive, and accessible to a diverse range of visitors. The outcome of the challenge is the creation of new, innovative, sustainable, and replicable tourism services developed through close collaboration and synergy among relevant stakeholders in local communities, including businesses, government, non-governmental sector, and public institutions.
Thematic areas and categories
- Green Initiatives
- Ideas for the development and implementation of environmentally friendly practices or initiatives that involve the local community, the tourism sector, and tourists/visitors, and promote responsible tourism on the trails and sites of the Via Dinarica, such as: i) Innovative solutions for reducing or eliminating waste in tourist facilities or destinations located along the Via Dinarica trails, whether through smart resource management, innovative resource utilization practices, or promoting the reuse of materials; ii) Innovative solutions that promote energy or resource efficiency in tourist facilities along the Via Dinarica trails; iii) Innovative solutions that promote sustainable mobility and logistics; and iv) Innovative proposals for preserving species diversity or ecosystems at tourist destinations and innovatively incorporating nature protection measures into the tourism offerings of destinations.
- Innovative practices that enhance environmental conservation while providing economic opportunities to local communities and fostering collaboration between the tourism sector and local communities, including solutions for implementing circular business models in the tourism sector, contributing to sustainable development along the Via Dinarica trails.
- Technology integration
- Integration of advanced technologies into tourism services, such as personalized digital tours generated by artificial intelligence recommending a combination of attractions, activities, and services based on the interests, physical readiness, and other parameters inputted by the tourist; or virtual tours using augmented and/or virtual reality, which would provide tourists with new, authentic experiences by bringing historical, cultural, and other aspects of destinations to life.
- The development of mobile applications and online platforms that provide real-time information, navigation assistance, and interactive elements to enhance the tourist experience on the Via Dinarica trails.
- The development and delivery of capacity-building programs for utilizing existing digital tourism tools and platforms to better promote the tourist offer on the Via Dinarica trails, including mentoring and support for pilot implementation in practice.
- Integration of cultural and artistic content
- Innovative solutions for integrating any of the nine types of arts, as well as crafts or folklore, to enrich the tourist offer of the Via Dinarica through a unique artistic expression and partnership with local creative industries, artists, and cultural organizations.
- Promotion of gender-sensitive local traditions (e.g., culinary experiences) through the development of innovations that contribute to the promotion of these values.
Funding Information
- The total prize fund within the Innovation Challenge amounts to 42,000,00 BAM, whereby, based on a competitive process, the implementation of the top three ranked innovative solutions will be supported regardless of the thematic areas and categories.
- The requested funding amount for each proposed solution can range from a minimum of 10,000,00 BAM to a maximum of 14,000,00 BAM.
Expected Results
- To further enhance tourism services and promote the Via Dinarica trails, this innovation challenge expects high-quality innovative solutions that result from synergistic thinking and action among various stakeholders in local communities.
- These solutions are expected to respond to real problems in local communities related to environmental protection, the need for technology application, or the integration of cultural and artistic content in the development of sustainable tourism services.
Who can apply?
- The innovation challenge is open to applicants from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Applicants eligible to apply for this call are:
- Individuals, tourist companies and trades, tourist operators and agencies, associations, organizations, sports clubs, mountaineering clubs, educational institutions, local self-government units, public institutions, and management bodies of protected natural and cultural values.
- The proposed solutions must be implemented in the locations of the white, green and blue paths of the Via Dinarica in the following local self-government units in Bosnia and Herzegovina:
- Banovići, Banja Luka, Bihać, Bosanska Krupa, Bosanski Petrovac, Bosansko Grahovo, Bugojno, Čapljina, Čelinac, Donji Vakuf, Drvar, Foča, Fojnica, Gacko, Glamoč, Goražde, Gornji Vakuf/Uskoplje, Grude, Hadžići, Han Pijesak, Ilijaš, Istočni Drvar, Istočni Mostar, Istočni Stari Grad, Jablanica, Jajce, Jezero, Kakanj, Kalinovik, Kladanj, Ključ, Kneževo, Konjic, Kotor Varoš, Kreševo, Krupa na Uni, Kupres, Livno, Ljubuški, Maglaj, Mostar, Mrkonjić Grad, Neum, Nevesinje, Novi Travnik, Olovo, Pale (FBiH), Pale (RS), Petrovac-Drinić, Posušje, Prijedor, Prozor-Rama, Ravno, Ribnik, Rogatica, Rudo, Sanski Most, Sarajevo Centar i Sarajevo Stari grad, Sokolac, Srebrenica, Stolac, Šipovo, Teslić, Tomislavgrad, Travnik, Trebinje, Trnovo (FBiH), Trnovo (RS), Tuzla, Vareš, Višegrad, Vlasenica, Vogošća, Zavidovići, Zenica i Žepče.
- There are no restrictions in terms of the number of partners, but it is necessary that each partner has a clearly defined role within the implementation of the innovative solution. In case of winning one of the three first places, funds are awarded exclusively to the applicant.
For more information, visit UNDP.