NEST Iceland - The Vatnajökull project


"In the Realm of Vatnajökull"

The region, which is being developed within the NEST project in Iceland - usually referred to as “The Realm of Vatnajökull” - stretches along the south and southeast edge of Europe’s largest ice cap, Vatnajökull, that dominates in the southeast of Iceland. The region is made up of two municipalities, i.e. the Skaftárhreppur municipality to the west and Hornafjörður municipality to the east.

As an integrated part of the trans-national NEST project, the NEST-Vatnajökull section of the project is targeted towards developing sustainable tourism and, to increase the profit potential from this, by analyzing and utilizing the opportunities which newly enlarged Skaftafell National Park and other protected areas in the Realm of Vatnajökull might offer. Furthermore, the NEST project will greatly facilitate for sustainable tourism development and management to the Vatnajökull National Park, which is anticipated to be formally established in the nearest future. The expanded sustainable tourism and increased profit potential will, for example, be accomplished by:
  • Establishing and growing networks between local groups of interest, emphasizing solid solutions of conflicts and, increasing value generating dynamics in the areas under development within the NEST project
  • Expanding the tourism season and extending the stay of each tourist travelling to the area, without increasing environmental risks to nature or society
  • Encouraging new business opportunities development
  • Encouraging natural, economical and social sustainability through research and well defined management techniques
Most importantly, the NEST project in Iceland is responsible for developing and encouraging nature school programmes using protected areas as a study laboratory. This includes nature school programmes for both local and international participants. In general, nature schools necessitate considerable supporting services such as accommodation, transportation, guidance and social programs, outside the educational program, giving business opportunities to the local communities.
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