Overview of evaluation outcomes - Excellent achievements with limited resources

1. Blackwater Natural Resource Tourism Project

2. Overview Project Background Aims of the BlackWater Natural Tourism Project Evaluation Objectives Progress and status of project activities Outputs Way Forward Conclusions

3. Evaluation Objectives Document history of project Consult with key stakeholders – evaluate impact on end beneficiaries Assess programme structures, mgt, admin and monitoring Measure extent to which aims & objs have been met Examine how project meets ICBAN & Interreg 111A & Priority 1 Measure 1 Highlight good practice Key learning for BRP to assist roll out of future programmes

4. Interreg 111A Priority 1 Measure 1 Objectives To strengthen the SME sector to make it nationally and internationally competitive; To explore and develop new market opportunities for the business and tourism sectors; To promote effective cross border linkages in work areas of mutual benefit; To enable joint development and marketing of goods and services; To develop environmentally and economically sustainable initiatives that exploit the natural amenities and safeguard the natural endowments of the eligible area.

5. Original Objectives of the project To implement an access to the countryside scheme; The Famine Walls programme; The Slieve Beagh programme; Aughnacloy, Mullan & Emyvale Access Programme; Sustrans cross border cycleway; Benburb Eco Trail. To develop one lake in North Monaghan to complement and assist the Aughnacloy Classic To employ a designated marketing company to deliver: a comprehensive marketing plan for the catchment area; a package of promotional literature; branding of the product; web/TV based strategy to include dispersed accommodation booking system and niche marketing. To employ a firm of consultants to carry out a comprehensive socio-economic study of the Ulster Canal. To facilitate the agricultural sector to maximise their diversification potential via new opportunities in the region. To develop a good practice policy in relation to Natural Environment of the catchment. To develop an educational programme surrounding the projects and raise the level of interest in schools in indigenous heritage & culture. Facilitate community linkages via the common theme of this border to ensure and reinforce community participation and ownership. To employ two officers to ensure that the above aims and objectives are met

6. 1 History of the Project In June 2004 BRP was offered grant aid of £822,187.00 for the delivery of a three year Natural Resource Tourism Project for parts of Armagh City & District Council; Dungannon & South Tyrone Borough Council and Monaghan County Council At interim report we concluded that “The Blackwater Natural Resource Tourism Programme was dogged by personnel illness and turnover and also by a change of management when the original Partnership Manager moved on to another post. As the project depended on two specific staff to deliver the varied and challenging aims of the partnership in natural tourism the lack of staff for most of the first year was an enormous handicap from which only now is the project emerging” June 2006 approval given for a number of changes to the programme Changes made at appropriate time - corrective action taken

9. Events well promoted in limited timescale

10. Need more robust system for gauging feedback on capital projects and for evaluating eventsExcellent results achieved with limited resources

11. 4. Measure extent to which aims & objs have been met All revised objectives from 2006 met – refer to slide 5 Real Added value with events and Border Heritage Excellent high quality suite of marketing literature Capital projects will enable the further development of niche activity tourism - ecotrails, canoe trail, walking trails, heritage trail Attractive regional destination website www.visitblackwaterregion.com Product Development complete - Shift to events brought new ‘dynamic’

13. Excellent brand exposure

14. Real cross-border co-op in organisation

18. Raise profile of new Blackwater Canoe Trail

20. 5 Examine how project meets ICBAN & Interreg 111A & Priority 1 Measure 1 SME sector early stages of development - more resources needed here in terms mentoring, training and up-skilling. Work with other agencies to promote international distinctiveness; Product developed – market opps needed to be harnessed; Excellent formative links made Viable cross border business opps through walking, cycling, angling canoeing, activity tourism and events; Heritage Trail (Famine Walls), EcoTrails & Env Education Guide To strengthen the SME sector to make it nationally and internationally competitive; To explore and develop new market opportunities for the business and tourism sectors; To promote effective cross border linkages in work areas of mutual benefit; To enable joint development and marketing of goods and services; To develop environmentally and economically sustainable initiatives that exploit the natural amenities and safeguard the natural endowments of the eligible area

21. 6Highlight Good Practice Professional & Dedicated staff Proactive organisation & delivery of events in a short timescale BiketheBlackwater.org , visitblackwaterregion.com ,Blackwater Canoe Trail

24. It’s now all about the experience

25. The world has changed… 10 years ago… the terms Google, iPod, 3G meant nothing! Today… 90% of all phones have multimedia and internet access and the ability to view video footage iPod has become the generic descriptor for the MP3 sector processes estimated 1bn searches per day through all its services

27. Customer service

28. Information provision – make it easy and accessible

29. Packaging & presentation