Junicoast

Description:
The purpose of this action is to develop and implement a communication strategy to raise awareness and disseminate the results of this project in Crete and the South Aegean. It aims to provide the relevant audiences with the information they need to know using the most effective methods available for the specific audience. The communication strategy and its coordination encompass all actions of section D. However, this action (D.1) specifies the material required to implement the communication strategy aimed at the public. Below communication activities are proposed which may be tailored having obtained the results of the stakeholder consultation (A.6).
The following activities are envisaged as part of this action:

• Production of A3 folded colored leaflets: (10000 leaflets, 9000 in Greek and 1000 in English, on ecologically friendly paper) providing concise information on the priority habitat, codes of conduct, as well as promoting the conservation aims of the project. The Greek versions will be distributed to the local municipalities in Crete and the South Aegean, as well as be available at MAICh’s exhibition center. The English version will be distributed to tour operator representatives and tourist information centers in Crete and the South Aegean.
• High quality colored posters: (1000 copies, 200 of which in English) will be distributed in Crete and the South egean to Municipality information points, schools, and hotels in order to inform the students, the public and the visitors about the habitat and the threats to its existence.
• Production of T-shirts: (7000) with drawings of target plant species (Juniperus and/or other keystone species) and environmental code of conduct. The T shirts will be offered free of charge to school children of the local  municipalities in Crete and the South Aegean.

• Notice boards: (10) describing the project shall be displayed at strategic places accessible to the public (on all sites in Crete and the South Aegean). Production and dissemination of video: A video (approximately 20 minutes)
  on the coastal dune Juniperus spp. 2250* habitats, the threats it is facing, the project and codes of conduct will be produced and disseminated to municipalities, tourism information centers, NGOs and schools in Crete and Aegean (200 copies).
• Media Publicity: Articles will be published in the local newspapers of the municipalities where the habitat is located in Crete and the South Aegean- Other media, like TV and radio stations will be informed of events for coverage.

We guarantee that all materials and activities under this action will make specific reference to Natura 2000, as required in the Common Provisions, Art.13.6 and intend to label and make reference to LIFE+ and NATURA2000 at no additional cost to the project.

Reasons why this action is necessary:
Public lack of awareness is one of the major threats (threat 3) to the coastal dune Juniperus spp 2250* habitat. By having a communication strategy, this demonstration project ensures that all target audiences awareness is raised using the most effective means possible.

Beneficiary responsible for implementation: MAICh

Expected results

• A report describing the communication strategy,
• Minimum of 10 articles published in local newspapers,
• 10.000 leaflets produced and circulated,
• 1000 posters produced and distributed,
• 7000 T-shirts produced and offered,
• 200 copies of videos produced and distributed,
• 10 Notice boards produced and installed.

The awareness will be raised and support for the project will be obtained ensuring the long term sustainability of the project from the following stakeholders:

• School children of the habitat localities in Crete and the South Aegean,
• Local communities in Crete and the South Aegean,
• Tourism operators and visitors,
• Local authorities in Crete and the South Aegean,
• Relevant NGOs