Development of the unique Narva-Ivangorod trans-border fortresses ensemble as a single cultural and tourist object. 2nd stage

As the name of the project says it is a logical continuation of the project “Development of unique Narva-Ivangorod fortresses ensemble as a single cultural and tourist object”. The overall objective is to improve business and living environment by increasing the competitiveness of the cross-border region through continuing development of the Narva-Ivangorod trans-border castles ensemble as a single cultural and tourist product. By restoring historical heritage and making it more accessible for general public project activities will result in more favourable conditions for local and regional SMEs, who will benefit from the increased flow of tourists to the region. To successfully achieve the goal of improving business and living environment of the region a cross-border approach is needed because this is the only way to try avoid the uneven development patterns, which result in diminishing of the attractiveness of the whole Kirde-Eesti and Saint-Petersburg region. Successful implementation of previous and current projects builds on the existing cooperation and spills out to the public and other spheres helping in improving the overall relations between regional and state actors. Thus cross-border approach is a necessary requirement for the general success of the project and imperative in keeping and improving inter-regional and inter-state relations overall. The main outputs of the project are: - Reconstruction of the western yard, improvement of its logistics, conservation and restoration of yard';s outer walls. - Restoration of Kristervall bastion and creation of Italian-style bastions theme exhibition in it. - Increase in cooperation between project partners and existent operators, finding new service providers - Restoration and opening of the Big Powder Granary to visitors - Spreading knowledge acquired during the project activities to general public and specialists The main beneficiaries from those outputs are first and foremost residents and SMEs of the cross-border region. As a result of the project 2 historically important sites are restored and at least 7 SMEs directly benefit from the project activities through getting an opportunity to establish closer cooperation with museums, being service providers or getting new knowledge and using it in improving their services. The main activities include reconstructing western yard, improving logistics, making it more accessible for people with disabilities, restoring Kristervall bastion and western yard';s outer walls, creating a permanent exhibition on Italian-style bastions in Kristervall. On the territory of Ivangorod museum restoration of Big Powder Granary will be taking place when restoration works are finished a new permanent exhibition, as well as a cultural and educational centre, will be open. As a result, current operators will increase cooperation with SA NM and Museum Agency will find new service providers for new services, such as souvenir shop and tourism centre, that will be available in the Big Powder Granary. For general public and specialists a final conference will be held and a compendium of articles published for free download. Although mentioned activities seem to be quite traditional, at the same time the project will bring in something new, that previous or similar cross-border infrastructure projects did not focus on. In parallel with investment activities project focuses on research and educational component. The main goal of this component is to find out more about Narva and Ivangorod fortifications and thus make their history, that still has many blank spaces, a little bit more known. Going hand in hand with the investment activities increase in better knowledge of the local history will hopefully help in reinforcing the identity of local residents and giving a new impulse for tourists to come to the region. The challenge for the project partners is to communicate this information in such a way, that it does not get lost in other information flows or be too specific or difficult to understand. To sum the idea, the project plans for the future by looking back in history.

Project results on the territory of Narva castle: 1) Kristervall bastion is restored, the permanent exhibition on Italian-style bastions is open for tourists. At least 100000 people visit Kristervall bastion and western yard a year after its opening. 2) Landscaping of the western yard is implemented and logistics on the castle territory is improved. The territory is made more accessible for disabled people. Further destruction of the outer walls is stopped. The number of events organized in western yard grows by 30%. 3) The final conference is organized, at least 10 presenters and 50 listeners participate, conference compendium is published for downloading free of charge and is downloaded at least 50 times. 4) Development of entrepreneurship activity using the tourist potential of historical fortifications in order to attract more tourists to the region implemented. At least 2 event operators each year use the western yard for the organisation of events. Project results on the territory of Ivangorod castle: 1) Big Powder Granary is reconstructed, inside it a new permanent exposition, education and cultural center are open. At least 50000 tourists visit the Big Powder Granary each year; 2) Development of entrepreneurship activity using the tourist potential of historical fortifications in order to attract more tourists to the region implemented. At least 2 companies-operators suggest services for tourists on the territory of the castle. The stated project results directly improve the attractiveness of Narva and Ivangorod castles and at the same time foster development of services and products both by the museums and by regional SMEs, who start providing more services and products (i.e. arranging more events on the territory of the Narva castle, operating souvenir shop in Ivangorod castle).