South-eastern Transylvania is one of Europe’s most important natural and cultural landscapes, supporting many rare habitats and fauna and flora species including some of the most significant areas of wildflower-rich grasslands in Europe. This high nature value farmed landscape is the result of good husbandry over hundreds of years, and the source of income for thousands of small-scale farmers today. It is threatened by poor rural incomes, abandonment or intensification of land use, and lack of awareness of the value of the area.

Fundatia ADEPT has been working for more than 10 years in an area (Natura 2000 SCI) of 85000ha. This has 8 communes, 28 villages, 28,000 population. The area is also a Local Action Group (LEADER Measure). ADEPT has carried out rural economic development activities over this period linked especially to helping the economic survival of small-scale farming communities. Our activities and projects involve marketing, product development and rural entrepreneurship, tourism development (we have established an Tourist Information Center, a bike trail, smartphone application) practical measures for preservation of biodiversity (for example agri-environment schemes), transfer of knowledge to the local people, and raising awareness about the problems this area is facing in terms of sustainable use and economic viability.