The aim of the project is to contribute to the securing of global environmental benefits through local community involvement in the protection of valuable ecosystems located in NATURA 2000 site Gutai-Creasta Cocosului, development of income generating activities in the communities focused on ecotourism and community empowerment.

The valuable ecosystems? protection objective will contribute to the protection of: major valuable species and habitats such as: 2,6 ha of wetland habitat, 454 ha of protected beech forest, 3,2 ha of rocky area - global biodiversity ecosystems from NATURA 2000 Gutai-Creasta Cocosului site. This objective will be achieved by local community involvement in practical activities of maintaining and reconditioning of eco-protective visitor infrastructure from the perspective of sustainable tourism.

Ecotourism development is a tool in poverty mitigation, related to the wise use of natural resources. Income generating alternatives will be assured locally in the 6 villages within NATURA 2000 site by sustainable use of natural resources impacting upon poverty mitigation, in the first year of project implementation.

Community empowerment aims at community participation in decision-making regarding the management of biodiversity resources. This objective will be secured by organizing training sessions for 3 local councils and 2 community based organizations, public meetings with landowners and distribution of informational materials as well as active involvement of local community representatives in practical activities in the protected area.

The project is targeting the NATURA 2000 site, ROSCI0089 Gutai-Creasta Cocosului, as well as the rural communities located in the surrounding of the site and with administrative territories within the limits of the site.