The EkoPartner programme
The EkoPartner programme ( http://www.eko-partner.hr/) is a initiative launched by the associations Sunce (http://www.sunce-st.org/) and Zelena Istra (http://www.zelena-istra.hr/) , respectively from Split and Pula, with the aim of:
- integrating environmentally responsible practices in the management policy of small tourist objects (small hotels, rural accommodations, private accommodations) in Croatia;
- developing a platform for cooperation between different sectors in the promotion of sustainable forms of tourism;
- raising the awareness of the wider public, of national and local authorities, as well as tourist associations and entrepreneurs, at all levels, concerning environmental protection and sustainable development.
At the moment 6 tourist objects in Dalmatia and 10 in Istria are members of Ecopartner program. To entry into EkoPartner program, tourist object should satisfy 33 initial criteria divided into eight categories, waste, water, energy, food, transport, noise, local values, education and communication. Considering the objective limitations existing in many environments (underdeveloped public infrastructure, underdeveloped separate waste collection systems and so on) criteria selection was based on two principles: basic environmental protection requirements and additional provisions which smaller tourist facilities are able to implement instantly, with limited or no financial investment. They are called initial criteria, as the programme is going to entail facility grading in the future, meaning that the tourist facilities which achieve a higher degree of sustainability are going to be elevated to a higher level.