BaNEx - Nature belongs to everyone!

The project is currently halfway through its implementation phase, which provides an opportune moment to reflect on its activities and results thus far. To date, and without claiming completeness, an international exchange of experiences has been observed, methodological training for teachers and environmental educators has been implemented, and the practical implementation of newly acquired knowledge has been conducted in the form of tours and events.

The project partners organised an international study trip, during which the participating education and tourism professionals were able to see exemplary inclusive tourism solutions in Styria, Tyrol, and Munich. In the course of the methodological training, led by Jochen Riehl, a renowned German special education teacher, teachers and environmental educators were instructed in the planning and implementation of nature programmes for children who "see differently". These children include those with physical disabilities, visual impairments, autism, or learning difficulties. The methodology was tested by the Fertő-Hanság National Park Directorate in the context of nature experience tours, welcoming 121 students and 27 teachers from five county special education institutions. The tours were further enhanced for the participating students by the incorporation of birdwatching, petting zoos, and experiential activities that were tailored to their specific and special needs. At the event organised by the Directorate of the Őrség National Park, called "The meadow is ours!", visitors were offered a variety of programmes and activities in the Kőszeg Landscape Protected Area. These activities were designed to welcome visitors with special needs and to provide them with a nature experience. The design of the stations was conceived to ensure accessibility for all. On the first day, educational facilities such as kindergartens and schools participated, with bilingual interpretation services being made available. On the first day alone, 348 people attended the event. On the second day, the event was attended by families, and residents with disabilities from the Kőszeg retirement home also visited the site. On the second day, 329 people enrolled in the programme. The lead partner of the project, Wirtschaftsagentur Burgenland GmbH, has established a new cooperation in the Geschriebenstein Nature Park. A long-term partnership was established with the VAMOS association, an organisation that combines nature conservation, inclusion, and local value creation, in this case, beekeeping.

In acknowledgement of the partnership's endeavours and dedication, the BaNEx project has been nominated for the prestigious Tourismusstar award in the category of Inclusive Tourism Initiative of the Year. The project serves as a compelling illustration of how inclusive tourism can facilitate access to nature, experiences, and shared moments. As of 15 February 2026, all nominees will be made available on the official Tourismusstar website, and a public vote will be initiated, accessible via the following link: https://tourismusstars.at/tourismus_category_tax/inklusions-tourismus-initiative-des-jahres/

The nomination serves as both a form of recognition and a source of motivation for the project partners. It is evident that inclusivity within the field of tourism is not merely a possibility, but rather, it serves as a catalyst for the future of this sector.