The Natural Values of Prespa: Driving Forces for Sustainable Local Development

23 October 2025

Society for the Protection of Prespa (SPP), in collaboration with the Municipality of Prespa, is launching a program titled “The Natural Values of Prespa: Driving Forces for Sustainable Local Development,” with a total budget of €50,000.00, under the Green Fund’s funding program “Natural Environment and Climate Neutrality 2024, AP.4 Innovative Actions with Citizens”.

The project falls under thematic area 2: Protection of the Natural Environment and thematic section 2.4: Development & implementation of policies or actions for the utilization and sustainable management of natural resources.

 

Through the project’s activities, efforts will be made to highlight and utilize the natural and cultural values of the Prespa region, one of the most important biodiversity areas in Greece. Prespa National Park is home to rare species of flora and fauna, while also boasting a rich cultural heritage inextricably linked to the natural environment. Local economy is based primarily on agriculture, Prespa beans being the main product, while tourism has been developing in recent years as a complementary activity. Despite existing initiatives, the region remains largely a destination for day trips, a fact that limits the economic benefits for the local community.

The project aims to strengthen the region’s ecotourism identity by focusing on lesser-known areas such as Mount Triklario (Sfika), which has exceptional ecological and aesthetic value. The primary objective is to highlight these natural and cultural elements, to raise environmental awareness, and to create new opportunities for sustainable local development.

The main activities of the project are the following:

  • promoting Mount Triklario (Sfika) to the general public through a digital campaign
  • the exploration and development of appropriate tourism activities
  • the documentation and promotion of the mycoflora (mushrooms and truffles) through the creation of an online database and printed materials
  • the organization of a mushroom festival in Prespa
  • highlighting the geological value of the region’s limestone landscapes through informational materials and infrastructure

The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2026, with the aim that its results will endure over time with the support of both partners.

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