The blue flag program

The Blue Flag Program has been founded and is coordinated by the international non-governmental organization "The Fund of Environmental Education", found in the United Kingdom. The main objective of the Fund is environmental education and public awareness.
 
The Blue Flag program is intended for municipalities which develop tourism services in their territory. The program ensures certain standards of environment and services. Those municipalities, which participate in the program and meet the requirements of the Environmental Education Fund (according to the EU regulations), get the right to raise a Blue Flag in the beaches within their territory. The Blue Flag Program in Lithuania is officially coordinated by the Lithuanian Green Movement, established in 1988 and comprising about 600 members.
 
The beaches which have the Blue Flag are included into international tourism catalogues, as they meet international standards. Thus, they attract more tourists, because the Blue Flag is world-known and acknowledged quality "certificate".
 
The Blue Flag may be raised only if the beach meets 27 requirements. 
 
The Blue Flag is given only for one season. Commissioners of the Lithuanian Green Movement and inspectors from the Foundation for Environmental Education  must observe that the beach corresponded all the requirements during the high season. The flag must be lowered, in case any faults are found. When the faults are rectified, the flag may be risen again.
 
Palanga town municipality started to participate in the Blue Flag Program in 2002.
 
The Palanga Municipality joined the Blue Flag Campaign in 2002. After completion of feasibility study for the Blue Flag Campaign in the Palanga Municipality, decision to establish Palanga Botanical Garden Beach in compliance with the requirements of the Blue Flag Campaign was passed.  With consideration to the Blue Flag Campaign implementation schedule the beach infrastructure upgrading and other required tasks are to be finished in 2004.

In 2003 the International Blue Flag Supervisory Council assessed efforts of Palanga Municipality in implementation of the requirements of the Blue Flag Campaign in the Botanical Garden beach and awarded the Blue Flag Certificate as an incentive to successfully proceed with the activities launched. We hope that already in 2004 the Blue Flag will fly over this beach.
  
More information:
 
Palanga Tourism Information Centre
Phone +370 460 48 811
e-mail: info@palangatic.lt
 
Palanga Town Municipality Administration
The Architecture and Urbanistics Department
Chief specialist Vytautas Vizgirdas
Phone +370 460 48 708
e-mail: pletra@palanga.lt