About the project:

Unemployment rates are high in Macedonia (around 36%) and even higher in villages. Many people are forced to leave their village due to the lack of employment opportunities. On the other hand, in the last decade, the number of overall tourists is increasing in the region around Ohrid Lake. In that direction, LDA team has recognized that developing village tourism is one of the best possibilities for economic empowerment of local people. The primary goal of this project is to assist and educate villagers in proper waysto develop sustainable rural tourism that does not impact their village in a negative manner, and can provide them with additional income..

Timeframe:

March 2009 – May 2009

Partners:

Karen Schaan – Peace Corps Volunteer

Results:

• Selected 6 villages and established contacts with local people that showed interest for developing tourism
• Realized 3 study field trips in villages that have developed sustainable tourism
• 20 participants introduced to the basics of how to start small tourism related business in rural areas
• Created support network between 6 villages and local tour guides

Supported by:

Friends of Macedonia – FOM and Peace Corps