The project "EU for Prespa – Restoration of Natural Resources and Enhancing Sustainable Agriculture and Tourism" is focused on sustainable management and use of natural resources in the Prespa region, leading to an improved quality of life and economic development through emerging "green" pathways in agriculture and tourism. As part of the project, capacity-building measures and direct financial support will be provided to interested parties to enlargement and/or improvement of the accommodation capacity development of paths for bicycles and for hiking, promotion of renewable energy and energy efficiency and launch of new or upgraded existing sustainable products linked to the protected areas (National Parks Pelister, Galicica, Ezerani, Prespa Lake) and the rural communities nearby.

Key development results to be achieved by the entire Sustainable Tourism Programme in Prespa will be measured through the following three main indicators:

• Additional kilometers of cycling/hiking trails (Cumulative 100 km of cycling trails and cumulative 70km of new hiking trails)
• Number of supported accommodation/service providers, traditional houses in Prespa (Cumulative 20 hotels/service providers, traditional houses supported)
• Number of new sustainable tourism products[1] put in place (Cumulative 10 new/upgraded sustainable tourism products introduced). 

Based on the results expected to be delivered by the project and in accordance with UNDP’s Programme and Operations Policies and Procedures, the following interventions/calls are planned in Sustainable Tourism Programme in Prespa. 

1. Call for all interested parties for Sustainable Tourism Capacity Building Programme (https://forms.office.com/e/Fmjr7NtKxL), deadline 15 July 2025.
2. Intervention on development of outdoor tourism-related infrastructure (marking and development of additional cycling/hiking trails),
3. Call for Accommodation Providers to Participate in the Programme for Sustainable Tourism in Prespa Area, deadline for Expression of Interest 30 July 2025 and
4. Call for CSOs to Participate with New/Upgraded Tourism Products in the Programme for Sustainable Tourism in Prespa Area, deadline for proposals, deadline 14 August 2025.

Each of the interventions/calls are explained below in details:

1. Sustainable Tourism Capacity Building Programme in Prespa for all interested 

The Sustainable Tourism Capacity Building Programme is planned to contain trainings and mentorship on the following topics: 

• Creating new/upgraded sustainable touristic products in the Prespa area,
• Start and growth of tourism business and accommodation in the Prespa area,
• Sustainable tourism customer relationship management in the Prespa area. 

2. Intervention on development of outdoor tourism-related infrastructure (marking and development of additional cycling/hiking trails). 

The development of outdoor tourism-related infrastructure (additional cycling/hiking trails) will be conducted in three phases:

Preparatory Phase: Call for expression of interest for host of mountain trails in Prespa and Signing of Memorandum for Understanding between United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Municipality of Resen, National Park Galichica and National Park Pelister. 

Phase I: Development of technical elaborates (detailed Bill of Quantities) and adequate permissions through hiring consultants/experts. 

Phase II: Execution of the cycling/hiking trails based on the technical elaborates and permissions. According to the UNDP’s POPPs, an entity will be engaged to deliver the works related to the cycling/biking trails through competitive selection process. 

This intervention is estimated to cost maximum EUR 300.000,00. 

3. Call for Accommodation Providers to Participate in the “Sustainable Tourism Programme” 

Based on the findings that accommodation capacities in Prespa are very limited in number (only 8 individuals are in the Registry of accommodation service providers maintained by the Municipality of Resen, the Call for Accommodation Providers[2] will be conducted in the following phases: 

Phase I: Call for Expression of Interest with the following supporting documents: Application Form for Expression of Interest) and Selection Criteria on the Call for Expression of Interest.

Phase II: Call for Full Application for Accommodation Providers based on Full Application based on the Selection Criteria on the Full Applications. 

Phase III: Detailed Bills of Quantities of each grantee prepared by hired design studio and engaged by UNDP that will also conduct supervisory services in the construction phase.

Phase IV: Construction Works contracted by UNDP based on the individual detailed Bills of Quantities for each grantee paired with supervisory services contractedby UNDP. 

Proof of co-financing: each grant will have to be supported by proof of co-financing invoice (at least 25% of the total grant) paid by the grantee with relevant supporting document (proof of the payment, physical presence of the goods etc.). 

This intervention plans to support 20 individual accommodation providers with a grant from EUR 20,000-30,000 (with a total sum up to maximum EUR 500,000). 

4. Call for CSOs to Participate in “Sustainable Tourism Programme” in Prespa 

Based on Low Value Grants – UNDP Operational Guide and Law Value Grants Operational Guidelines (https://popp.undp.org/document/1446/download/en) a Call will be launched for CSOs to participate in the Sustainable Tourism Programme on new/upgraded Tourism Products in Prespa with accompanying documents (templates), Project Proposal for Tourism Products, Budget and Plan of Activities. Based on published Tourism Product Selection Criteria, a Selection Committee will conduct evaluation of the applications. Low Value Grant Agreements will be signed with the CSOs proposals evaluated as successful. 

Applications will be evaluated based on their alignment with the objectives of sustainable tourism in the Prespa region, including environmental protection, cultural preservation, and community benefit. Consideration will be given to how realistic and feasible the proposed activities are, including clarity of planning and capacity for implementation. Priority will be given to projects expected to deliver a strong positive impact on the local economy, society, and environment. Long-term sustainability beyond the funding period will be assessed, with emphasis on lasting benefits and continuity. Proposals must also demonstrate secured co-financing of at least 25% of the total budget.

This intervention plans to support up to 5 CSOs with a grant from EUR 20,000-30,000 (with a total sum up to maximum EUR 150,000)

For all the Calls within the Programme for Sustainable Tourism in Prespa Area, Info Day will be organized on 15 July 2025, in the Large Hall of the Municipality of Resen.

The Programme for Sustainable Tourism in Prespa is implemented in the framework of the project ЕU for Prespa – Restoration of natural resources and enhancing sustainable agriculture and tourism funded by the European Union and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). 
 

[1] "Tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment, and host communities." - UNWTO Definition of Sustainable Tourism. Based on this definition, these are some indications what sustainable tourism products in Prespa Area could be: eco-friendly guided nature tours, cultural festivals, farm stays, cycling or hiking experiences, locally sourced food experiences, and other activities that align with environmental protection and community development.

[2]  Accommodation providers are individuals/sole proprietors registered in the trade register (tourism operators) under the conditions and in the manner prescribed by the Law on Tourism Activities in Republic of North Macedonia