Wild Mushrooms: A Chance for Marginalised Mountain Regions in Serbia
In Serbia, particularly in rural and mountainous regions, mushroom collection has emerged as a crucial economic activity. Nutrient-dense mushrooms, packed with proteins, vitamins, and minerals, are harvested both for personal consumption and commercial sales. This activity bolsters local economies, preserves traditional knowledge, and enhances community bonds, proving to be a valuable pursuit for many rural residents.
From Cities to Peaks: How Serbia’s Mountain and Rural Tourism is Changing for the Better
Serbia's tourism sector, traditionally focused around major cities, is increasingly highlighting its mountainous regions. These areas are becoming prominent tourism hubs due to their natural beauty and opportunities for activities such as hiking, skiing, and ecotourism. The rich natural resources in these regions support various outdoor activities, including hunting. Find out how mountain tourism, alongside spa and wellness tourism, plays a crucial role in Serbia's overall tourism development, helping diversify rural livelihoods and improve local economic conditions.
Understanding Serbia’s Unique Landscape: An Exploration of Serbia’s Mountainous Terrain and Diverse Nature
Serbia, lying at the crossroads of Central and South-eastern Europe, boasts extraordinary geographical diversity across its 88,499 km² lands. The northern province of Vojvodina features the flat expanses of the Pannonian Plain, while the central region is characterised by rolling hills and river valleys. The southern part of the country is dominated by mountain ranges, including the Dinaric Alps, Carpathian Mountains, and Balkan Mountains, with peaks exceeding 2,000 metres. Serbia’s mountainous areas are rich in natural resources and biodiversity, preserving rare and endangered species within national parks like Kopaonik, Tara, and Stara Planina. These regions, with their dense forests and unique ecosystems, not only highlight Serbia’s natural beauty, but underscore the country’s potential for sustainable tourism and organic farming.
Fiona’s Short-Term Scientific Mission in Novi Sad, Serbia: Tourism Research Training in a Leafy Green City Steeped in History
This May, MARGISTAR’s Fiona Bakas attended a MARGISTAR Short-Term Scientific Mission in Novi Sad, Serbia, hosted by Tamara Jovanović at Novi Sad University. The mission focused on quantitative methodologies for destination personality research in marginalised mountainous areas and fostering international collaboration. The experience included valuable training, cultural immersion, and networking, leading to discussions on joint research projects. Read on to find out how this mission enriched Fiona’s professional competences and set a foundation for future sustainable creative practices in Europe's mountainous regions.
Helping rural Ireland reimagine a more prosperous future for their towns and villages
By Dr Michelle Cowley-Cunningham and Antonia Egli (Dublin City University)
Rural development creates vibrant environments with improved economic opportunities for people to live and work....
Céad Míle Fáilte: MARGISTAR Meets in Ireland for the COST Action’s Second General Assembly
On April 17 and 18, the Irish Institute of Digital Business (IIDB) at Dublin City University (DCU) welcomed international researchers from the MARGISTAR COST Action to the project's second annual General Assembly in Dublin. Prof Theo Lynn, Prof Colm O'Gorman, and Antonia Egli represent Ireland within the MARGISTAR consortium and lead the Action's Science Communications team. Over two days, consortium members focused on strategies to further progress MARGISTAR during the second grant period and met with stakeholders in Ireland to understand how different communities were seeking to address issues through rural town regeneration, digitisation, re-afforestation, or diversifying agriculture.
