The “coop MDD” project was officially launched last week in Noskovci by the Drava River in Croatia. At the 3-day kick-off meeting, hosted by the Public institution for nature conservation in Virovitica Podravina county, all 11 partners as well as several supporters were present and actively participated in the detailed presentation of work packages, activities and deliverables. Interesting side program was also organised for partners with guided visit of educational path along the Drava River and its floodplain forests. Partners also visited the bird observation tower at the Drava River.

The representatives of the Croatian and Slovenian Ministry for Environment also attended the kick-off meeting. They welcomed the participants and stressed the importance of the project for the successful management of the future Transboundary Biosphere Reserve Mura-Drava-Danube. 

Gusztav Csomor from Joint Secretariat of the Interreg-Danube Programme presented the official requirements of the programme, while also offering useful tips for implementation and communication activities. 

Philippe Pypaert, representative of UNESCO Man and Biosphere (MAB) Programme, gave partners an interesting insight into best examples of successful Biosphere Reserves in Europe, and tips for engagement of local population into the management of Biosphere Reserves.  

The kick-off meeting was also used for the first coordination meeting of protected areas managers in order to define biggest obstacles for ensuring the cross-border dynamic river corridor and start working on joint solutions and approaches on managing spatial planning, water management, visitor guidance, agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting. Based on these inputs from the whole group, a first draft of common guidelines for enhancing a dynamic river corridor will now be developed.