For me, the carpet of pine needles or spongy grass is far better than the most luxurious Persian carpet, said Helen Keler, an American writer and fighter for the rights of people with disabilities.
It seems that this maxim is also followed by a woman from Niksic Marina Kovacevic, winner of the prize “Iskra” for civil contribution to the common good. Her "carpet" is the meadow of Zupa in Niksic, the place from which she originates, in which she lives and tries to promote as much as possible.
"Marina Kovacevic is an example of how an individual can initiate, promote, create, and influence the changes. She is the coordinator of “Morakovo”, responsible for the agro-tourism cluster "Zupa", but before that, and above all, she is a lover of the natural beauties and potentials of her homeland and someone who, by connecting and networking the organizations, associations, households, and local self-government, wants to get the most out of it for the benefits of Zupa," they said at the ceremony.
"Prizes are the incentive for further work, so this one will encourage me as well. I will continue to work in the same direction until Zupa becomes an example in Montenegro for sustainable agritourism," says Kovačević for "Vijesti". Ten years ago, she founded NGO "Morakovo " and since then she has been trying to present to everyone what Župa has to offer and with which it can and must be proud, but also what can be used.
Since the 1970s, there has been an initiative for Zupa to connect with Kolašin. This is the closest link from the sea to the north of Montenegro, and to Zupa and Niksic, and it would be very significant. I think that by building this road Zupa will become an example in Montenegro and the region for sustainable agritourism.
"Zupa has huge potential for doing business with agriculture and tourism, human resources, which is also the most important for the development of the villages, the cultural, natural and historical potential that only a few areas have in Montenegro, a school with around 600 students, educated young people," lists Marina.
And the list is indefinable. Therefore, she would never, as she says, change Zupa for a life in the city. And why would she, when Zupa "has almost all conditions for a modern and quality life".
For the last six months, she is responsible in the Agri-tourism cluster "Zupa" where she tries to get the most for the benefits of Župa by connecting and networking organizations, associations, households and local self-government. "I think that anyone, whether it is in the civil sector or not, can initiate, promote, create and influence changes in their community. I admit that I am a lover of the natural beauty and the potentials of my homeland.
Marina reminds that Zupa has a great potential
While many talk about the exodus of the villages, she is trying to prove that the villages can "live", that this process, truth to be told, is going slow but it does not mean we should give up because "there is no life without a village."
"There are models of support for young farmers in Montenegro, but I think that there should be more recognition in the Ministry of Agriculture to see exactly who these young people are, give them wind in the back and promote them more. Only in Lukavica there is a dozen 'young' families who are successfully dealing with agriculture, and who have not used any measure of support. The media should also visit and promote young farmers, together with the civil sector, to influence decision-makers in order to create conditions for sustainable agriculture and rural tourism."
Although, she says, every individual can contribute to the affirmation of the region in which she or he lives, however, in her opinion, only united, with quality and tradition this can be successful.
Text by Svetlana Mandic, on January 13th 2019, read more at Vijesti
