Innovative participatory sustainable business model for cycling along the Iron Curtain Trail

Programme 2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-B Central Europe

Date of latest update: 2025-03-13

Description

Description (EN):

Innovative ICTr Cycling develops an innovative tourism product along the long-distance cycling route that crosses the CE territory from northern PL and DE to HR (8 countries, 3.000 km). The trail bears a significant historical and cultural meaning and overlaps with European Green Belt. The project addresses the lack of innovation capacity, lack of awareness on impacts of tourism and its potential benefits, lack of international cooperation and tailor-made business education. Such challenges affect in particular SMEs and sectoral agencies from regions along ICTr who cannot afford to adopt the needed green and digital solutions. To change this, cooperation is central to creating a joint international innovative ICTr network linked by one product supported by the innovative participatory business model. This is why working together in an experienced partnership based on the quadruple helix principle will bring global R&I to peripheral CE areas. Establishing this we will strengthen the innovation capacities of SMEs and other stakeholders in the tourism value chain by providing them tailor-made digital solutions and mentoring. Firstly, we will develop the innovative ICTr international cycling product and participatory business model. We will then work on the development of the impact measurement system and ICTr Good Impact valorisation programme for NGOs. At the end, we will elaborate transferring the solutions to all EuroVelo routes and mainstreaming them. As a result, SMEs and public organisations will gain innovation competences, start using new tools, improve quality of their offer and enter international markets leading to their improved competitiveness. In 3 years of cooperation, we expect that SMEs, tourism boards, regions and NGOs along the whole ICTr will participate in joint innovation network and successfully minimize negative and stimulate positive tourism impacts to foster overall sustainability appeal and economic prosperity of the territory.

Actual Achievements (EN):

Not relevant The participatory business model is still under development in the framework of Work Package 1. As a good basis, D1.1.1 Need analysis of stakeholders and about the existing ICT tools was developed together with the concept of the participatory business model possibilities. With the coordination of PP5 Trail Angels, the cycling tourism products were defined in all 3 pilot areas, all the bookable stages were defined thanks to the close collaboration of Project Partners and Work Package leaders. During the development of the business model framework, the following characteristics were in focus: 1. sustainability (ecological, social and economic), 2. resilient and regionally managed, 3. participatory and transparent, 4. innovative, 5. operational applicability Based on these characteristics, 2 business model concepts were presented to the partners, and were briefly introduced in D1.2.1 - these business model schemes could be suitable for the ICTr-CE project and the developed cycling tourism products and which is in line with the specific objective of Work package 1. This deliverable is a basis of Output 1.1 and Output 1.2. In work package 2, the partnership had the opportunity to get to know more about the already existing climate-friendly travel solutions, as Activity 2.1 was mainly focused on this topic. In Activity 2.2, the partnership collected already existing footprint calculators, and PP2 CROST (after an evaluation process) selected 2 possible footprint calculators, which can be adapted in the frame of the project. A joint assessment and testing procedure was launched in order to define which calculator is the best solution for the special needs of the ICTr-CE project. Paralelly, PP12 OETE started to work on the impact measurement system: the impact measurement system is a tool which can measure the carbon footprint and the socio-economic impact of ICTr-CE tourists. A desk research document was elaborated, in which several already existing impact measurement systems were collected and briefly presented. Based on the key findings, a draft concept was also elaborated. Activity 2.2 and Activity 2.3 are crucial to develop the Output 2.1 solution In work package 3, a detailed analysis about digital skills and tools of SMEs was elaborated by PP4 UP FTS - these results will feed the concept of the ICTr-CE training/mentoring programme. We also started to work on the impact communication plan, in order to ensure smooth and clear communication of the project results towards our stakeholders, and to ensure the efficient promotion of the EuroVelo13 at the international tourism market. Referring to the specific objective of Work Package 3, efficient communication and finding synergies with other networks/projects are crucial in order to ensure the transferability of the ICTr-CE solutions to other EuroVelo routes. There were no major deviation or delays in the project implementation until now.

Project outputs: Pilot action for testing the ICTr cycling product and business model (EN)
Innovative ICTr tourism product and business model (EN)
Organisations along ICTr cooperating(EN)
Impact measurement system for cycling tourism product(EN)
Pilot action on climate neutral ICTr travel by testing the environmental footprint calculator and cycling product impact measurement system(EN)
ICTr Good Impact Programme (EN)
Sustainability and transferability plan for the integrated ICTr (EN)
Website: https://www.interreg-central.eu/projects/ictr-ce/

Thematic information

Green technologies Transport and mobility

Priority: (VI-B_CE_1) Cooperating for a smarter central Europe

Priority specific objective: RSO1.1. Developing and enhancing research and innovation capacities and the uptake of advanced technologies

Priority policy objective (Interreg specific objective): PO1 A more competitive and smarter Europe by promoting innovative and smart economic transformation and regional ICT connectivity

Type of intervention: 013 Digitising SMEs (including e-Commerce, e-Business and networked business processes, digital innovation hubs, living labs, web entrepreneurs and ICT start-ups, B2B)

Partners (14)

Lead Partner: Nyugat-Pannon Terület- és Gazdaságfejlesztési Szolgáltató Közhasznú Nonprofit Kft.

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 950220440

Partner’s ID if not PIC: HU21464812

Address: Horváth Boldizsár krt., H-9700 Szombathely, Hungary

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Sectoral agency

Website: http://www.westpannon.hu

Total budget: EUR 332 500.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 266 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 66 500.00

Ökologischer Tourismus in Europa e.V.

Name: Ökologischer Tourismus in Europa e.V.

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 939967055

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 206/5873/0065 | Register of associations number (EN)

Address: Jöllenbeckerstr. , 33613 Bielefeld, Germany

Legal status: private

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Website: http://www.oete.de

Total budget: EUR 191 520.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 153 216.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 38 304.00

Koprivničko-križevačka županija

Name: Koprivničko-križevačka županija

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 920514772

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 06872053793 | Identification number (OIB) (EN)

Address: Antun Nemčić Street , 48000 Koprivnica, Croatia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Regional public authority

Website: https://kckzz.hr/

Total budget: EUR 189 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 151 200.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 37 800.00

European Cyclists’ Federation

Name: European Cyclists’ Federation

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 965873912

Partner’s ID if not PIC: BE0460439895

Address: Rue de la Charite , 1210 Brussels , Belgium

Legal status: private

Organisation type: International organisation, EEIG

Website: http://www.ecf.com

Total budget: EUR 245 200.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 196 160.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 49 040.00

Nadácia Ekopolis

Name: Nadácia Ekopolis

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 937735667

Partner’s ID if not PIC: SK2021108661 | 00631736 | Organization ID (IČO) (EN)

Address: Komenského, 97401 Banská Bystrica, Slovakia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Website: http://www.ekopolis.sk

Total budget: EUR 161 280.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 129 024.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 32 256.00

Miasto Gdańsk

Name: Miasto Gdańsk

Department: Wydział Gospodarki Komunalnej – Referat Mobilności Aktywnej (The Municipal Services Management Department – The Active Mobility Unit)

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 986156418

Partner’s ID if not PIC: PL5830011969

Address: ul. Nowe Ogrody, 80-803 Gdańsk, Poland

Department address: ul. Nowe Ogrody, 80-803 Gdańsk, Poland

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: http://www.gdansk.pl

Total budget: EUR 151 200.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 120 960.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 30 240.00

Województwo Zachodniopomorskie

Name: Województwo Zachodniopomorskie

Department: Marshal's Office of the Westpomeranian Region / Marshal's Cabinet / Office of Promotional and Information Projects and Department of Infrastructure and Transport / Office for Cycling Communication

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 900015180

Partner’s ID if not PIC: PL8512871498

Address: Marszałka Józefa Piłsudskiego, 70-421 Szczecin, Poland

Department address: Marszałka Józefa Piłsudskiego, 70-421 Szczecin, Poland

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Regional public authority

Website: http://www.wzp.pl

Total budget: EUR 151 200.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 120 960.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 30 240.00

Partnerství, o.p.s.

Name: Partnerství, o.p.s.

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 930950032

Partner’s ID if not PIC: CZ26268817

Address: Údolní , 60200 Brno, Czech Republic

Legal status: private

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Website: http://www.partnerstvi-ops.cz

Total budget: EUR 189 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 151 200.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 37 800.00

Trail Angels GmbH

Name: Trail Angels GmbH

Partner’s ID if not PIC: ATU70185505

Address: Obervellach, 9821 Obervellach, Austria

Legal status: private

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Website: http://www.trail-angels.com

Total budget: EUR 332 640.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 266 112.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 66 528.00

Univerza na Primorskem

Name: Univerza na Primorskem

Department: Faculty for tourism studies - Turistica

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 998802793

Partner’s ID if not PIC: SI71633065

Address: Titov trg , 6000 Koper, Slovenia

Department address: Obala, 6320 Portorož, Slovenia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: http://www.upr.si

Total budget: EUR 173 880.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 139 104.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 34 776.00

Zavod iskriva, iskrišče za razvoj lokalnih potencialov

Name: Zavod iskriva, iskrišče za razvoj lokalnih potencialov

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 936372429

Partner’s ID if not PIC: SI29528801 | 6618294000 | Company identification number (EN)

Address: Reteče, 4220 Škofja Loka, Slovenia

Legal status: private

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Website: https://www.iskriva.net/

Total budget: EUR 327 600.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 262 080.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 65 520.00

CROST Területfejlesztési Nonprofit Kft.

Name: CROST Területfejlesztési Nonprofit Kft.

Department: Main unit

Partner’s ID if not PIC: HU26555029

Address: Rákóczi út, 7621 Pécs, Hungary

Department address: Diós dűlő, 7627 Pécs, Hungary

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Website: http://www.crost.hu

Total budget: EUR 226 800.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 181 440.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 45 360.00

CROST Területfejlesztési Nonprofit Kft

Name: CROST Területfejlesztési Nonprofit Kft

Department: Main unit

Partner’s ID if not PIC: HU26555029

Address: Rákóczi út, 7621 Pécs, Hungary

Department address: Diós dűlő, 7627 Pécs, Hungary

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Website: http://www.crost.hu

Total budget: EUR 226 800.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 181 440.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 45 360.00

Polska Organizacja Turystyczna

Name: Polska Organizacja Turystyczna

Department: Marketing Department

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 950308128

Partner’s ID if not PIC: PL5252150196

Address: Chałubińskiego , 00-613 Warsaw, Poland

Department address: Chałubińskiego , 00-613 Warsaw, Poland

Legal status: public

Organisation type: National public authority

Website: http://www.pot.gov.pl

Total budget: EUR 151 200.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 120 960.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 30 240.00

Partners map

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Project name (EN): Innovative participatory sustainable business model for cycling along the Iron Curtain Trail

Project acronym: ICTr-CE

Project ID: CE0100401

Project start date: 2023-03-01

Project end date: 2026-02-28

Project status: ongoing

Relevant linked projects:

Planned Interreg Central Europe project ASAP (SO 4.1) (EN) | The ASAP project focuses on improving governance for territorial development of accessible tourism in Central Europe. Some of the pilot regions of the ASAP project overlap with the ICTr. Projects have strong synergies and will utilize stakeholder networks and capitalize on mutual promotion and awareness-raising activities, ensuring coordinated tourism development actions. Accessibility-wise plans for improved infrastructure will also benefit ICTr product users. LP Westpannon is associated partner in the ASAP project and will coordinate cooperation. (EN), Tourism 4.0 initiative and partnership (EN) | Tourism 4.0 is the collaboration partnership of 190+ organisations from business, research and public sector, focused on tourism innovation. It focuses on unlocking the innovation potential by enabling collaboration between all stakeholders of the smart tourism ecosystem to co-create enriched experiences with the help of the key enabling technologies from Industry 4.0. The digital tools and impact measurement models developed within the projects will be taken as a benchmark when developing ICTr solutions. Iskriva and UP FTS are active partners of Tourism 4.0. consortium and will ensure capitalisation of knowledge transfer between both networks to transfer the T 4.0 results from Slovenia throughout CE. (EN), Smarter Amazon of Europe (COS-TOURINN) (EN) | This project aims to establish an international ecosystem of tourism SMEs in the Amazon of Europe destination (AoE) and other biosphere reserves (BRs) and uses similar capacity building strategies that develop broader portfolio of tourism products in protected areas. As one pilot region of the project overlaps with the ICTr, synergies will be created by capitalizing on mutual awareness raising and collaboration when it comes to environmental capacity building and potential transfer of ICTr business model and valorisation program to project’s stakeholder network. PP Iskriva participates in both projects and will coordinate the cooperation between the projects and pilot activities. (EN), European Green Belt (EN) | The European Green Belt represents shared natural heritage along the line of the former Iron Curtain, which is to be conserved and restored via the network of associations, to function as an ecological network connecting high-value natural and cultural landscapes whilst respecting the economic, social and cultural needs of local communities.
ASP EuroNatur is the member of the Assembly and the Regional Coordinator Balkan Green Belt. They will ensure that ICTr Good Impact valorisation programme will be aligned with the Green Belt objectives. (EN)

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 2 671 820.00

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 2 137 456.00

Total EU funding (co-financing rate): 80.00%

Co-financing sources:

ERDF: Amount, EUR 2 137 456.00. Co-financing rate, 80.00%.

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

(bullets are inserted automatically and may be incorrectly placed)

Deliverables:

Overview of needs and potential digital solutions to tackle identified barriers
Design of the pilot testing of the ICTr business model
Integrated product development for ICTr for pilot testing in pilot areas
ICTr Explorer Promotion tours for different target groups (media and test users)
ICTr cross-border promo events to launch the pilot actions
Report on transferring pilot testing results to solutions
ICTr Alliance: open access organisational framework ready for implementation
Analysis of the existing climate neutral travel solutions
Upgraded and optimised environmental footprint calculator for ICTr
Concept of impact measurement system considering ecological, economic and social aspects of tourism
Design of the pilot testing of the environmental footprint calculator and impact measurement system
Report on promoting the innovative solution that benefits the community via promo events
Concept of the ICTr Good Impact Programme
Gap analysis of current and desired competences for the digital ICTr
Mentoring and qualification plan for improving competences of SMEs & other target groups along ICTr
Specialised trainings for ICTr booking centers Center and South
Report on implemented mentoring and qualification activities
Action plan for impact communication to tourists and visitors
Presenting new integrated ICTr tourism product at existing EV13 website & update of EV13 mobile app
Report on dissemination and networking events and publications
System for quantitative and qualitative monitoring of target groups
Concept of the Sustainability and transferability plan for the integrated ICTr

Contribution to wider strategies and policies:

EuropeanGreenDeal The project will directly contribute to the EU becoming the first climate neutral continent by 2050, which is the main goal of the European Green Deal. Actions 2.2, 2.3, and 2.4 of the project completely align with the main goal of the GD, as they are devoted to developing and implementing an effective footprint calculator and an impact measurement system. Additionally, WP1 fights for a better quality of life with less inequality and creation of new jobs by increased cross-border and regional cooperation.
TerritorialAgenda2030 The project will directly contribute to the goal “Just Europe”, priority “Integration beyond borders” by developing a strong transnational cooperation between countries along the ICTr. By forming logical partnerships, the business model directly supports the necessary reduction in regional disparities emphasized in the report. At the same time, by creating a unified tourism product, it supports the development of functional regions, which is another priority of the goal “Just Europe”.
EUStrategyDanubeRegion Firstly, our project contributes to promoting culture, tourism, and people-to-people contact by developing a business model for cycling along the ICTr, which represents a fast-growing type of climate- and environment-friendly tourism suitable for natural areas such as the EU Green Belt. Secondly, by creating an environmental footprint calculator and impact measurement system, it contributes to achieving PA 06, target 6 of EUSDR. Thirdly, WP1 and WP3 majorly contribute to achieving targets of PA 07, PA 08, PA 09, and PA 10 of EUSDR.
EUStrategyBalticSeaRegion The project is based on transnational tourism development through the creation of ICTr tourism product that involves protection and sustainable utilization of cultural heritage and natural resources in tourism destinations, as well as investing in people, skills, and technology in the tourism industry through the creation of ICTr participatory business model, which will connect separate stakeholders into innovation network. Therefore, it contributes to achieving PA Tourism of EUSBSR. Additionally, our WPs contribute to achieving PA Innovation, PA Culture, and mitigating pollution, which is an action within PA Hazards.
EUStrategyAlpineRegion Our project contributes to achieving the 3rd thematic policy area with its action about ensuring sustainability, preserving heritage, and promoting sustainable use of natural and cultural resources as we valorise the collective memory of IC through the development of ICTr integrated cycling product. Secondly, the innovative ICTr participatory digital tourism business model with its impact measurement system and valorisation program promotes sustainable development of tourism destinations and broader territories. Thirdly, WP1 with its business development focus and WP3 with its mentoring scheme and transferability plan contribute to achieving the 1st Thematic Policy Area, the economic growth of EUSALP.
Other “Transition Pathway for Tourism” was published by the European Commission in February 2022. It identifies 27 areas of measures for the green and digital transition, and for improving the resilience of EU tourism. WP3 of the project directly addresses the need of reskilling and upskilling the tourism workforce through training, which is indicated in the document.
Other Sustainable Development Goals: the project contributes to reaching all SDGs. The innovative ICTr participatory digital tourism business model is especially compliant with the 17th, 13th, 8th, 10th, and 12th one, as it builds on partnerships, creates decent work opportunities and economic growth, reduces inequalities, promotes responsible consumption and production, and implements climate actions.
Other Sustainable tourism is included in Smart specialisation strategies of practically all cooperating countries and our PPs are involved in its networks.
Partners (ETE, Iskriva, Partnerstvi, AO12 etc.) are members of relevant working groups and will ensure that project outcomes will be integrated in further policies and networks created around Smart specialisation partnerships.

Programme Common Output Indicator:

RCO 084 - Pilot actions developed jointly and implemented in projects, Measurement unit:
RCO 116 - Jointly developed solutions, Measurement unit:
RCO 083 - Strategies and action plans jointly developed, Measurement unit:
RCO 087 - Organisations cooperating across borders, Measurement unit:

Delivered output indicator(s):

(RCO87) Organisations cooperating across borders: 24.0

Programme Common Result Indicator:

RCR 084 - Organisations cooperating across borders after project completion, Measurement unit:
RCR 104 - Solutions taken up or up-scaled by organisations, Measurement unit:
RCR 079 - Joint strategies and action plans taken up by organisations, Measurement unit:

Project part of European Union Macro-Regional or Sea Basin Strategy: EUSBSR

EUSBSR Priority (Policy) area / Horizontal action:

EUSBSR Degree of compliance:

Project part of European Union Macro-Regional or Sea Basin Strategy: EUSALP

EUSALP Priority (Policy) area / Horizontal action:

EUSALP Degree of compliance:

Project part of European Union Macro-Regional or Sea Basin Strategy: EUSDR

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

Financing programme

2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-B Central Europe

Last month that data in keep.eu was retrieved from the Programme's website or received from the Programme

2025-03-31

No. of projects in keep.eu / Total no. of projects (% of projects in keep.eu)

100 / 100 (100%)

No. of project partnerships in keep.eu / Total no. of project partnerships (% of project partnerships in keep.eu)

1 017 / 1 074 (94.69%)

Notes on the data

Programme's webpage last visited on 2025-03-17.

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Innovative participatory sustainable business model for cycling along the Iron Curtain Trail

Description

Thematic information

Partners (14)

Partners map

Summary

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

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