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The construction of the Centre of Subterranean Heritage ‘Speleon’ is a part of a project called “Promoting the sustainable development of the Protected Landscape of Barać Caves” implemented by our Barać Caves – public institution managing the protected environment in the Municipality of Rakovica. The project was partly funded by a grant from the EU Cohesion Fund, within the Operative Programme under the 2014–2020 ‘Competitiveness and Cohesion’ operational programme, priority axis 6 ‘Preserving and protecting the environment and promoting resource efficiency’, specific objective 6c2 ‘Increasing the appeal, educational capacity and sustainable management of natural heritage destinations’.
The total project value is HRK 19,908,960.00 + VAT, 85% of which is funded from the EU Cohesion Fund (HRK 16,922,616.00), whereas the remaining 15% is secured by the Public Institution of the Plitvice Lakes National Park as a project partner.
‘Promoting the sustainable development of the Significant Landscape of Barać Caves’
In general
Implementation period: 15 December 2016 – 31 January 2023
Partner: Public Institution of the Plitvice Lakes National Park
Funds
Fund: Competitiveness and Cohesion, code: KK.06.1.2.02
Value: HRK 19.908.960,00 + VAT
EU grant: HRK 16.922.616,00 (aid intensity: 85%)
Partner’s share: 15%
Project team
Manager: Tihana Oštrina, Javna ustanova Baraćeve špilje
Implementing authority: Central Finance and Contracting Agency (CFCA)
External expert civil engineer – Ivan Vozila
External expert – public procurement: Ines Prgin
External expert – EU accounting: Đurđica Ćušić
External expert – audit: Sanda Bižić
External expert – palaeontology: Kazimir Miculinić
External expert – archaeology: Krešimir Raguž
External expert – speleology: Hrvoje Cvitanović
External expert – geology: Neven Bočić
Brief description of the project
The project ‘Promoting the sustainable development of the Protected Landscape of Barać Caves’ under the 2014–2020 ‘Competitiveness and Cohesion’ operational programme aims to establish a visitor centre where visitors will be able to learn about the natural and cultural values of the Protected Landscape of Barać Caves, which will encourage a more comprehensive development of the Rakovica area and add new value to the site of Barać Caves. The project funds will be used for activities including the construction of the visitor centre, its indoor and outdoor equipment, preparation of an Action plan for visitor management, carrying out a study aimed at developing joint programmes for the visitors of Barać Caves and the Plitivice Lakes National Park, as well as for funding educational and interpretational content and promoting the institution’s visibility.
Project objectives
Improving the infrastructure for visitors
Providing a unique, innovative, and captivating presentation of the cultural and natural values of the Barać Caves area to all visitors, including those with special needs
Building contemporary infrastructure suitable for holding various educational and recreational activities, thus creating added values
Using contemporary technology in order to create an experience and offer an interpretation of the natural and cultural heritage
Encouraging an interest in culture and the nature among the local population and visitors
Developing awareness of the need to preserve the natural world and the importance of sustainable interaction between people and nature
Introduction to the project
The visitors of the Centre of Subterranean Heritage ‘Speleon’ will have the opportunity to learn about the site’s natural characteristics. One of the project’s main objectives is to build awareness of the need to preserve the natural world and the importance of sustainable interaction between people and nature.
Centre interior
Scientific foundation
The website design was partly funded from the EU Competitiveness and Cohesion Fund. The website content is the exclusive responsibility of the Barać Caves Public Institution.