On Friday September 23rd, the II Transnational Meeting of the “U-Mar – Enhancing underwater archeology to make it a innovative tool for development Sustainable & Creative Tourism”.” project was held in Zadar (Croatia), at the headquarters of ICUA – International Center for Underwater Archeology, partner of the project.
The project, led by the Phoenicians’ Route – Cultural Route of the Council of Europe, is funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union.
The general aim of the project U-Mar is to develop the knowledge and the enhancement of heritage related to underwater archaeology, through the following specific objectives:
1) Training professional figures with specific skills in underwater archaeology, specifically for the promotion and management of cultural sites;2) Developing sustainable and environmentally friendly tourism based on underwater archaeology, improving the tourist-cultural offer and expanding the target of users;
3) Providing the organisations aiming to develop strategies with guidelines for the enhancement of underwater archaeological heritage, with different possibilities of application depending on the context. Particular attention will be dedicated to the creation of underwater archaeological itineraries, with their specific heritage and to the professional’s skills required;
4) Increasing the knowledge of underwater archaeological heritage and the importance of its conservation and enhancement, not only by tourists, but above all by young people and local communities living in those territories.
The project will last for 24 months, until 9 January 2024, and can count on the involvement of partners of great value.
In addition to the Phoenicians’ Route, lead partner of the project:
– Superintendence of the Sea – Sicilian Region (Italy)
– International Centre for Underwater Archaeology in Zadar (Croatia)
– CEI·MAR Foundation (Spain)
– Pafos Regional Board of Tourism (Cyprus)
– ACIF – Industrial and Commercial Association of Funchal – Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Madeira (Portugal)
– Argo – Progettare l’Europa (Italy)
There are also many associated partners such as the Municipalities of Menfi and Gela in Italy, Mazarrón in Spain, Pafos in Cyprus, Grad Zadar in Croatia and Funchal in Portugal.
The experts discussed the ongoing activities, in particular the creation of an innovative training course for the enhancement and communication of underwater archaeological sites and the creation of an e-learning platform aimed at disseminating the training and project outputs.
The partners had the opportunity to visit the ICUA headquarters, the Zadar Ancient Glass Museum and, on Saturday, the beautiful Island of Nin, guests of the Tourist Board.
The next transnational project meeting is scheduled in Cadiz (Spain) in January 2023.
