Background In 2001, under the initiative of a local NGO and with the support of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Physical Planning, Medimurje County in northern Croatia declared the area surrounding the Mura River a Protected Landscape. Despite this status, effective protection and sustainable development measures were still lacking. In addition, illegal activities, such as the discharge of untreated wastewater, dumping, gravel extraction, etc., were still occurring. Objectives The project had five objectives: • To preserve and protect biological diversity of the Mura; • To build local capacity for sustainable management of the protected landscape; • To maximise the benefits for the local population; • To raise awareness on the ecological and cultural value of the area; and • To improve the river’s water quality. Among the steps to be taken to achieve these objectives, the project would: support existing public institutions in their efforts to effectively manage the protected river landscape by drawing up a management plan; monitor water quality in the Mura and propose best available techniques (BAT) for wastewater treatment; renovate a traditional mill on the river and open it to the public as an educational centre; and educate local interest groups in order to involve them in sustainable ecological activities. Results The project successfully implemented educational activities for various target groups, supported capacity building within the local government in Medimurje County and disseminated project results and activities to the media. The reconstruction of the traditional mill was completed in June 2006. The demonstration value of showing the traditional corn grinding process realised by hydraulic power is high. The education centre located within the mill will provide workshops and lectures to a diverse constituency: local authorities, utility companies, associations (framers, hunters, fishermen), pupils, tourists and the general public. During the project, already 27 lectures were organised with more than 2000 locals and members of NGOs participating. The management plan for protection of the Mura river landscape was drawn up with the guidance of a committee of 11, including local politicians, the tourism board, special interest groups, NGOs and others. It will be used as the basis for annual action plans that will define particular activities to be carried out in the protected area. The management plan will be revised every five years. The flora and fauna of the protected area was inventoried three times a year throughout the two years of the project by a biologist, the first time a fauna mapping in the protected area of Medimurje Country had been conducted over a longer period of time. Water samples from the Mura were tested at three-month intervals during the project. In November 2005, a workshop on drainage problems and alternative methods was presented to 61 representatives of local government.