Partnership for Velika Planina

The action »Partnership for Velika Planina« represents a necessary response to the current non-transparent infrastructure procedures in the area. We have a good opportunity to open the missing debate at an early stage of the project regarding the growing pressures of stakeholder groups on this vulnerable high-mountain karst area of national importance.
The impetus for the action is the recently revealed plans of the Municipality of Kamnik for an extensive wastewater drainage system, which are being prepared without informing the public and municipal councilors.
Since the procedures are already under way, while access to public information is being obstructed, there is a serious risk that the designated use, the cultural landscape, and thereby the sources of drinking water on
Velika Planina will be jeopardized. The coming months are also of exceptional importance because of the local elections, the associated media attention, and the demand for answers.

With this quick-response action, we first aim to gain time; we want to halt the ongoing infrastructure development processes so that they can be carried out in a well-considered, transparent, inclusive and professional manner, and in accordance with the principles of sustainable development.

We want to make use of the crucial months ahead of the local elections:

• highlight the discrepancy between the adopted strategies and the current situation (the projects represent a departure from the strategy adopted in 2021, which envisages limited tourism development with an emphasis on the protection of nature and cultural heritage, and a shift towards a strategy focused on intensive tourism development, which, however, was not adopted and did not have public support),

• demand answers from representatives of the Municipality and obtain the positions of mayoral candidates on key development issues concerning Velika planina,

• support both the local and wider community in exercising their right to access information, to participate in environmental decision-making (Aarhus Convention), and to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment,

• strengthen the advocacy capacities of NGOs,

• establish cooperation between NGOs and other organisations for joint action regarding the management of Velika planina.

As part of the action, a partnership between NGOs and other organisations from Slovenia will be established. Joint positions will be developed and adopted, and a partnership agreement will be signed with at least 3 organisations.

The action will contribute to increased public awareness of the future development of Velika planina. A media campaign will be implemented, including 1 collection of short texts for social media posts, accompanied by visual content such as graphics, video reels and other materials. The campaign will reach at least 2,000 individuals, with 3–6% active engagement expected in the form of likes, comments, shares and other interactions.

1 round table with at least 15 participants will also be organised. The recording of the round table published on the organisation’s YouTube channel will receive at least 10 reactions, while at least 3 responses from the audience will be collected during the round table. In addition, 3 articles will be published in different media outlets.

The action will also contribute to strengthened advocacy capacities of NGOs. 1 advocacy training session will be organised, involving at least 8 participants.