Title of the intervention: IRP 26.02

Title of the operation: A Shared Path to Health and Nature in the Municipality of Duplek - Active and Healthy

Short description of the operation: The project is an innovative, holistic initiative aimed at promoting sustainable development and raising the profile of the Local Action Group (LAS) area, while introducing a new approach to green tourism based on nature, health, and intergenerational cooperation. Activities are designed to be interconnected, allowing each participating organization to contribute to greater community health and well-being.

Participating organizations will organize lectures and workshops on topics such as the healing properties of water and herbs, biodiversity conservation, circular economy, and culinary traditions. The project will also support networking among rural women. These activities aim for long-term effects by connecting residents with each other, with nature, and with healthy lifestyles.

The project includes the creation of a therapeutic garden accessible to people with disabilities, the development of a Kneipp water path through the forest, and a walking trail called “Active and Healthy” linking all partners and participants.

The initiative responds to key challenges identified in the LAS Slovenske Gorice strategy (2021–2027), including:

• underutilized natural and cultural tourism resources,

• lack of health-promoting infrastructure,

• an aging population and social vulnerability in rural areas,

• limited awareness of sustainable development, biodiversity, health risks, and circular economy, and

• few lifelong learning opportunities that engage youth, older adults, and other vulnerable groups in preserving natural and cultural heritage and healthy lifestyles.

By addressing these issues, the project fosters rural development and community well-being through a bottom-up approach, encourages sustainable tourism, environmental preservation, infrastructure improvement, and social inclusion, in alignment with LEADER objectives.