A plan will be designed to foster socio-economic development that is sustainable and special social programs for disadvantaged groups. The plan will be proposed by public authorities, local communities and private interests acting together.
Objectives are to stimulate small local businesses, development of label for local Hateg Country products, development of cultural tourism and eco-tourism, set up association (guilds) of local craftsmen and integrate them in international schemes of equitable trade, establish a calendar of traditional events and festivals.
Overview
The population of the Hateg Country is concentrated in the most fertile areas of the region and it is has an increasingly old people over 60. The movement of the population towards the urban centers in the region and out of the region has slowed in recent years however; it was mostly due to the decreasing activity of the regional economy.
The overall official unemployment rate is in the region of 17 - 20%. Privatization of agricultural land has resulted in a large number of new ‘farm' businesses, but these are largely subsistence in nature and contribute little to the local economy.
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Inventory and analysis
An analyze recreation and other tourist opportunities for the Geopark area considering carrying capacities and infrastructure, inventory and analysis of the current rural and social activities and of local needs was initiated. Also were defined sustainable sources of revenue (with levels of public intervention for social and environmental functions).
Opportunities for the development of new small businesses and enterprises within the GeoPark framework were identified along with local training requirements and possible sources of funding for business development to be implemented.
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Additional to farming, food processing, hydro electric generation, wood processing and brewing are undertaken in the area increase the number of small business enterprises up to 1000 most part of them in the third sector. The most important enterprises are Hidroconstructia SA - RÂul Mare, Hidroelectrica, Hidroserv, Hateg Brewery
Tourism activity is considered to be low. Most tourists are either ‘day trippers' from nearby towns or people stopping as they pass through. Most of the existing activity is based in the buffer zone for the Retezat National Park, the Roman remains at Sarmizegetusa and Densus Church.
A brief evaluation of the general infrastructure reveals that the road network is above the Romanian average and also the electric and telephone system are covering most part of the area including the remote small villages. In terms of water supply the present system it totally insufficient, more than 10% of the houses are still using river water. The issue constitutes the top priority for local administrations.
Household waste including the hazardous items such as paints, cleaners, oils, batteries, and pesticides are not collected or mishandled, being dangerous for health and environment and a big problem for eco-tourism development.
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Hateg Country is very known for its intercultural pattern. The 2002 census reveled a mosaic of different ethnic groups such as Romanians, Hungarians, Italians, Germans, Roma and different religious groups (orthodox, protestants, Baptists, Jehovah witnesses, penticostals etc).
The Geopark and local development
The low rate of industrial pollution, traditional farming and high potential for eco-tourism and especially geo-tourism and cultural tourism are key ideas for a sustainable development based on the wise use of natural and cultural resources.
The Geopark project is in fact a strategy and a framework for local initiatives and could be considered also a Local Agenda 21. It aims to offer general framework for development in this region in an attempt to revive the local traditions and to identity a coherent direction for economic development.
According to this, there are two main axis to be followed:
- To promote activities and projects in order to help local initiatives, to assure the increase of local incomes, to create structures able to attract investments.
- To revive and strengthen the local and cultural identity which is very strong and in danger of being lost through migration, poverty, external influences and imports.
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