The strategy for the project complies with the EU strategy for sustainable development and responds most adequately to the needs of the region. The guiding principles for the implementation of this project may be defined as follows: • Cooperation - The two municipalities will form a joint team for management the project and will cooperate actively in the consisting of experienced members in implementation of EU funded projects, who will cooperate on daily basis and exchange know-how for better management • Quality of implementation - The project team shall observe the implementation process of the separate activities and will require high quality of implementation. • Transparency - The Programme under which the project is happening will be visualizes on all documents so that it reaches wider public • Provision of information - The project has taken measures to provide sufficient and accurate tourist information (guidebook, brochures, presentations, information signs along the path) in order to facilitate the nature experience of the tourist • Overcoming language barrier -The produced informational material will be translated so that to reach public from both sides of the border • Sustainable development - The infrastructural component is in line with the sustainable development principles. The project envisages measures for teaching the young generation respect nature and its resources • Equal opportunity - The project envisages measures for creating equal opportunities in people in special needs • Innovation - For achieving competitiveness and sustainability the project has assumed innovative approach in presentation of nature biodiversity • Sustainability - Analysis of the nature landmarks and action plan for their promotion will be elaborated and strictly followed after the end of the action for achieving sustainability and developing the region as desired tourist destination not only with the help of EU financing but attracting private investors as well Achievements: The project achieved the following results:- Establishment of Eco lodge Samokovishte – An abandoned mountain lodge at the end of eco path was reconstructed and equipped as an eco-odge. It is situated at the Dupnitsa access to Rila Mountain through the village of Bistritsa, which is an alternative route to the Seven RilaLakes. In addition, the lodge contain a special experience room which provides interactive approach to the presentation of natural beauty and biodiversity of Rila Mountain;- Creation of an eco-path and construction of small scale infrastructure along the route. The trace of the eco-path is: the village of Bistrica - Orlovi skali – Viatarni skali – Bistrishki vodopad – Ecolodge Samokovishteto. Also the access to the eco-path was improved through rehabilitation ofthe existing road and parking lot at the village of Bistrica;- Establishment of Eco Guards Unit – a specialized Eco guard unit was established in the municipality of Dupnitsa for monitoring the mountain region for eventual accidents and coping with emergency situations;- Establishment of Tourist Presentation Centre in Vranje – A special hall of the public company Skijaliste Besna Kobila was equipped to serve as a tourist presentation center;- Creation of a model of Besna Kobila Mountain with detailed routes and facilities as a replica of the real mountain. The model is displayed at the tourist presentation centre- Implementation of a comprehensive promotional campaign including creation of a promotional video, organization of a final press conference, and distribution of promotional materials.