MilasRuralDevelopment

Short Description: Project integrating organic farming and agro-ecotourism to the benefit of quality of life standards and nature conservation.

· Client: Muğla Provincial Directorate

· Funding: Spanish government/ECO

· Budget: 350,000 €

· Year: 2009-2011

· Partner: TYPSA-Tecnoma

Background: Muğla province in general, and Milas county in particular, is suffering from socio-economic, cultural and environmental degradation, as a result of mass tourism on the shore sides, unknowledgeable farming, and lack of marketing skills.

Scope of project: In this pilot project, farmers in a selected area are guided during their conversion from traditional to organic agriculture. A cooperative and market structure is established to ensure continuity of this conversion. Ecotourism is integrated in the concept, and steps are taken towards the improvement of local infrastructure (wastewater treatment, water supply, road repair, etc), and the development of new initiatives to the benefit of local development.

Objectives: Countering mass tourism and orienting it towards a tourism respecting and appreciating local culture and nature; conservation of biodiversity; economical development through organic farming.

Services provided: Project design and development, field surveys, data analysis, organization of workshops and training, coordination of stakeholders and experts, reporting.