АУТОР / AUTHOR(S): Aleš Smrekar 
, Katarina Polajnar Horvat
DOI: 10.46793/CSGE5.30AS
САЖЕТАК / ABSTRACT:
Wetlands are dynamic ecosystems with significant ecological, social, and economic importance, often facing degradation due to human activities. The study introduces the concept of a Wetland Contract, a voluntary agreement aimed at ensuring sustainable wetland management through stakeholder participation. The Sečovlje Salina Nature Park serves as a case study to demonstrate this approach.
The study follows a structured methodology comprising two main stages: preparation and implementation. The preparation stage includes analyzing the regulatory framework, describing the pilot area, and conducting a stakeholder analysis. The implementation stage involves organizing Territorial Labs, scenario planning, and developing the Wetland Contract. The Territorial Labs were public meetings designed to establish participatory governance, adapted to an online format due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The project targeted around 200 potential stakeholders in the hinterland of Sečovlje Salina Nature Park, with 34 participating in the Territorial Labs and 16 signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The MoU, a less binding form of the Wetland Contract, focused on systematic cross-sectoral participation to address conflicts between stakeholders with varying interests. The study highlighted the importance of stakeholder education and engagement, revealing that many stakeholders had limited knowledge and experience with inclusive governance processes.
The study encountered challenges such as stakeholder unfamiliarity with the Wetland Contract concept and limited digital access, which excluded some groups from participation. Despite these obstacles, the participatory approach successfully facilitated dialogue and cooperation among stakeholders, demonstrating potential for broader applications in wetland governance.
The study concludes that the Wetland Contract method, implemented through a participatory and inclusive approach, can effectively enhance wetland management. The Sečovlje Salina Nature Park case study illustrates the method’s potential to reconcile environmental protection with economic and social interests. The methodology’s adaptability to different contexts and its emphasis on stakeholder involvement make it a promising model for wetland governance in various regions.
КЉУЧНЕ РЕЧИ / KEYWORDS:
participatory process; stakeholder participation; agreement; memorandum; Piran
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
The research was financially supported by the Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency, by the research program Geography of Slovenia: P6-0101.