When finalized 1st Rufford Small Grants (RSG) project in National park Djerdap (NP Djerdap), basis for ecotourism development were set. Strategy for sustainable tourism was developed, local communities gained new knowledge on biodiversity protection, informal network of stakeholders were created and information on Convection on Biological Diversity and Carpathian Convention was spread. In last six years, after1st RSG project ended, process of ecotourism development and biodiversity protection had its growth. Mainly it was done by regular activities of NP staff and NGOs. After the Strategy has been adopted, NP Djerdap has been integrated in macro-regional conservation initiatives, such as Carpathian Convention and Danube Network of Protected Areas. Two EU funded projects on nature protection in the framework of those two initiatives were implemented in last years by NP Djerdap Authorities and Ivan Setozarevic was involved as project manager and coordinator. Under the framework of the Carpathian Convention and the support of the international and country experts, Strategy for Sustainable Tourism Development of the Carpathians was developed.

Nevertheless, the knowledge of local tourism service providers and local population regarding the nature protection is not at satisfactory level for ecotourism. This project will support them by organizing training courses which as well contribute to better knowledge of legal and institutional system regarding protected areas and role of local community as well. Project will also develop guidelines for ecotourism operations in order to support tourism actors in protected area.

By establishing two-way communication on nature conservation between NP Djerdap authorities and local stakeholders, the basis for long-lasting ecotourism development will be established. This will be done by carefully chosen steps towards establishment of the communication platform.

Currently, local actors in offering tourism and ecotourism services have limited knowledge about importance of nature protection and the values of the area they live and operate around. With implementation of set of training for local population on nature protection, legal and institutional system regarding protected areas and ecotourism, role of local community, allowed and prohibited activities in protected areas etc., locals will have a power and know-how to integrate nature conservation and influence into local and National park plans, especially on ecotourism development.