The two UNESCO Dolomites Functional Networks, co-ordinated by the Autonomous Province of Trento

It is within this context that the Functional Networks form part of the structure of the UNESCO Dolomites Foundation; they are a tool designed to put the concept of network-based management into practice, bringing together provincial and regional technical experts from the administrations around thematic working groups.

There are five Functional Networks directly involved in the governance of the territory covered by the UNESCO Site (originally seven, but reduced following a merger in 2015), and they focus their work on the following themes:

• Geological Heritage
• Training and Scientific Research
• Development, Sustainable Tourism and Mobility
• Landscape Heritage and Protected Areas
• Promotion of Sustainable Tourism.

Each working group is coordinated by one of the provincial/regional administrations involved in managing the site and brings together the relevant technical officials, who, through regular meetings and ongoing consultation, – projects and activities that form part of the UNESCO Dolomites Foundation’s programme, constituting an integral part of it from both a financial and a programmatic perspective.

The Autonomous Province of Trento coordinates the two functional networks: the Geological Heritage Network and the Training and Scientific Research Network.