Operating Networks
The Overall Management Strategy for the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage Site is aimed at maintaining the universal value of the Property and is founded on the basic concept of network management, building connections between local governance methods in order to leverage the various different approaches to management.
This is the framework of the UNESCO Dolomites Foundation into which the Operating Networks fit. These are designed for implementation of the network-management concept, bringing together provincial and regional technical personnel of the Administrations directly involved in governance of local areas in the UNESCO Site, into thematic working groups.
There are five active Operating Networks (originally seven, but reduced through merger in 2015) focused on operations in the following areas:
- Geological Heritage
- Education and Scientific Research
- Development, Sustainable Tourism and Mobility
- Landscape Heritage and Protected Areas
- Promotion of Sustainable Tourism
Each working group is coordinated by one of the Provincial/Regional Administrations participating in management of the Property and brings together relevant technical experts. Through periodic meetings and ongoing dialogue, projects and actions are defined that form part of the UNESCO Dolomites Foundation plan, representing an integral component of it in financial and planning terms.
The working groups of the Operating Networks also involve members of the Scientific Committee and certain representatives of entities in the area with particular authority and expertise regarding management of the UNESCO Site, such as Parks and Universities.