We must ensure that nature is both well looked after, well organized and managed through being put to use. Nature provides rich experiences and memories for everyone who visits us. We have taken care of nature through practical and actual use for generations. We shall continue to do so forever.
Taking care can mean protection and management, but in Femund Engerdal it means much more. Culture, tradition, knowledge, pride. It is about harvesting, but also farming and arranging for nature-based experiences.
Is about sustainable food production where the production is good for the climate and environment, nature and people. It is also about healthy and safe food, plant-based food, organic food, local food and reducing food waste.
Is about the right to meet other people as who you are, without facing discrimination. It is about valuing differences, including and tolerating what is different. Topics within diversity are: Multicultural diversity, gender and sexuality diversity, functional diversity and intersectionality.
Culture affects several areas of society that create value and cohesion. It can be in the form of knowledge, creating space for community, creating channels to express and receive feelings, creative thinking and innovation. E.g. music has been shown to provide good health. Culture is also about taking care of local culture and history, and passing this on.
Engerdal was the 9th destination in Norway to receive the label for sustainable destinations in 2017. Since then, we have been relabelled once. The scheme with the Sustainable Destination Label is for destinations that want to work long-term with sustainable development.
Engerdal was rebranded in 2020 and is continuously working on measures within climate and environment, social responsibility and financial viability. In 2023, Engerdal will again be rebranded as a sustainable travel destination. This is an extensive job, where you have to answer 100 indicators to be awarded the badge for three new years.
Sustainability-labelled destinations can now be found all over Norway. Read more about the label for sustainable destinations at Visit Norway.
- It is noticeable that Engerdal has worked with sustainable destination development over time. The examples and measures have gradually become both more numerous and better. The most significant measure in 2020 is probably the launch of a new tourism strategy, where sustainable development is fully integrated and a solid foundation for the development of Engerdal as a destination.
See which ones and what this entails. The Eco-lighthouse is Norway's most widely used certificate for businesses that want to document their environmental efforts and demonstrate social responsibility.
It is also the first scheme to be recognized by the EU, it is proof that the scheme maintains high environmental standards and quality.
Businesses that become Eco-lighthouse certified complete their annual environmental report. They meet requirements for the working environment, environmentally friendly purchasing, waste management, energy saving and transport planning.
They make good use of resources, pollute little and leave a smaller ecological footprint than others in the same industry.
In Engerdal, there are currently 11 Environmental Lighthouse companies, and more are on the way. These are companies from several different industries.
Here you can make purchases with a clear conscience because the business works seriously to reduce its impact on the external environment.
Fjellheimen Leirskole
Johnsgård Turistsenter
Sparebank 1 Østlandet
Destination Femund Engerdal
abacus
Trysil Wash and clean.
Engerdal children and junior high school
How has climate change affected Engerdal in the year 2100?
See graphic at nrk.no
As part of our work with sustainable travel destinations, it goes without saying that we conduct a citizen survey every 3 years. We are happy to have you on the team. It is very pleasing that 89% of those who responded to the survey have a positive attitude towards tourism.
Through the residents' survey, we are also pleased to see that the arrangements made for guests are good for the residents. It would have been difficult for Engerdal, which had so much infrastructure and service offerings, if tourism had not existed.
Without tourists and cabin owners, much of what Engerdal has to offer would have fallen away because the local population is not large enough to support such an extensive and broad offer and good infrastructure as we have today. Engerdal's tourism is thus an important factor in making Engerdal an attractive place to live and move to.
This is confirmed in the recently conducted citizen survey where the Engerdølene gave their opinions. As many as 94% of the inhabitants make use of something that tourism offers.
The offers residents made the most of are:
Used cafes/restaurants 85%
Local food 78%
Festivals/events 73%
Fishing 71%
Snowmobile 59%
Gutulia National Park 43%
Femundsmarka najpark 39%
Pole chase 32%
Trip with MS Fæmund ll 32%
We promise to take seriously what you are not so happy with. Motorized fricamping, wear and tear and littering in Femundsmarka National Park can be mentioned here. This is taken forward in the tourism strategy and action plan 2024-2026.
Many thanks for the help, all Engerdøler.
