Promoting geological, ecological and cultural heritage through sustainable development and creation of geo-parks (GECCOSPARK)

A Geopark (http://www.europeangeoparks.org) is an area with clearly defined boundaries that has a remarkable geological heritage combined with a strategy for sustainable development (i.e. economic development that is planned and implemented taking into account environmental protection and sustainability). Benefits from having a recognized geopark are enormous. Geoparks are places of cultural worship, environmental protection importance, historical significance useful for education and research purposes. The related places become tourist attractions improving local economy and they can be included in the European Geopark Network, where knowledge is shared between 73 other parks across Europe, potentially receiving the UNESCO Global geopark status. This also expresses governmental recognition of the importance of managing outstanding geological sites and landscapes in a holistic manner. Republic of North Macedonia has really interesting geology as it includes different geological eras and unique places like Kokino, Matka and Treskavec, just to name a few. The project also aims to transfer information available to the Beneficiaries through trainings and workshops in Ferrara (Italy) and in Skopje (Republic of Macedonia). Visits to Macedonian sites with potential to become geo-parks are envisaged. Visits to Italian geoparks, located in Trentino Alto Adige are planned to increase the know-how and to experience education and research possibilities happening there. Plan is to attend the International Conference on UNESCO Global Geoparks, usually organised in September every year and present a research paper there, which will promote CEI and the project even more.