The Municipality of Tolmin

The Municipality of Tolmin is located in the northwestern part of Slovenia, in the lower part of the Upper Soča Region (along the Soča river), which is also formed by the municipalities of Kobarid and Bovec. The centre of the municipality is the Tolmin Basin, the junction of four valleys: the Soča Valley towards Kobarid, the Soča Valley towards Kanal and Nova Gorica, the Idrijca Valley and the Baška grapa Valley. Part of the municipality lies in the Triglav National Park. Land use has been adapted especially to livestock farming, for which there are more natural conditions than for agriculture. In the Tolmin part of the municipality, the mountain pasture enabled the production of excellent mountain cheese, which makes this area famous. The population in the municipality has been steadily decreasing in the last century, although industrialisation began also here. The area is dominated by electrical and wood industry, construction and various crafts. In recent decades, great efforts have been made to develop tourism. The Municipality of Tolmin declared certain parts of the immovable cultural heritage in its area, which are of ​​particular cultural, scientific, historical or aesthetic value, as cultural and historical monuments with the Decree on the proclamation of cultural and historical monuments and natural sites in the municipality of Tolmin. In this way, the preservation and special social protection of cultural values ​​is permanently ensured.

The European ecological network of protected areas, known as Natura 2000, has as its main objective the conservation of biodiversity by protecting the habitats of animal and plant species. The areas were chosen by the member states of the European Union. Natura 2000 sites in the municipality of Tolmin cover 29.26% of the area.

The municipality of Tolmin has considerable experience in participating in European projects, including Italy-Slovenia cross-border programmes. It was part of several projects to promote the sustainable development and the environmental protection, among others also in the fields of energy efficiency, public lighting and improving energy performances in buildings. To take part in the project means an upgrade of the results so far. The municipality owns a study centre with outdated lighting, which is a suitable building for a pilot activity to regulate energy-efficient and quality lighting. There is the need to update the lighting cadastre and to introduce an energy management system. In cooperation with schools, it is possible to carry out educational activities and manage communication networks for the exchange and dissemination of knowledge and experience among the target groups on both sides of the border. By carrying out the project activities, the municipality implements the measures envisaged in the sustainable energy plan (Covenant of Mayors). Engaging in the project signifies the acquisition of a technical basis and competences for further implementation of energy efficiency measures, as well as it contributes to the dissemination of knowledge and experience in the field of energy efficiency measures in the cross-border area of ​​the programme.