The Routes of the Olive Tree is one of the Routes4U Cultural Route flagship identified by the representatives of the Adriatic-Ionian Region (EUSAIR TSG 4). Certified "Cultural Route of the Council of Europe" in 2005, the Routes of the Olive Tree are itineraries of intercultural discovery and dialogue. They promote the olive tree as a universal symbol of peace and bring together all the players involved in its promotion such as museums, artists and small producers.

In the framework of the Croatian Chairmanship of the Council of Europe and the Presidency of the Central European Initiative, the international workshop on “The Cultural Routes of the Olive Tree as a model for Europe’s values, heritage and sustainable development”  took place on 14-16 November 2018 in the Island of Mali Lošinj, Croatia. The meeting was organised back to back with the meeting of the EU Strategy for the Adriatic-Ionian Region Thematic Steering Group 4 - Sustainable Tourism (EUSAIR - TSG 4).

During its opening speech, Frano Matušić, State Secretary of the Croatian Ministry of Tourism, stressed the role of the Cultural Routes to contribute to intercultural dialogue and mutual enrichment across borders. He underlined how the Routes4U Project provides support to put into practice the Cultural Routes programme in the Adriatic-Ionian Region.

Participants from national and regional authorities, associations, museums and SME’s discussed on possible extension of the “Routes of the Olive Tree” and activities related in three main areas:

• History, Heritage, and Networks: Activity overview and current developments;
• Integrated tools for local development and sustainable tourism;
• Creative platforms for intercultural dialogue, citizenship and participation.

Two others certified Cultural Routes presented their activities and potential cooperation with the Routes of the Olive Tree in the Adriatic-Ionian Region: the “Roman Emperors and Danube Wine Route” and the “European Route of Historic Thermal Towns”.

The meeting was also the opportunity to present the “Roadmap for the Adriatic-Ionian Region”, Routes4U publication that contains guidelines for national, regional and local authorities in the Adriatic-Ionian Region on the certification and management of the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe.

Resources:

• International workshop on “The Cultural Routes of the Olive Tree as a model for Europe’s values, heritage and sustainable development” : Programme
• Routes4U Publication: Roadmap for the Adriatic-Ionian Region
• EUSAIR article: Mali Lošinj as a centre of EUSAIR discussion on Sustainable Tourism