Extending the Baltic military heritage tourism product in Lithuania and South Latvia.

Programme 2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-A Latvia-Lithuania

Date of latest update: 2025-09-05

Description

Description (EN):

The project "Military Heritage II" aims to enhance the role of military heritage tourism in economic development by expanding the Baltic military heritage tourism product in Lithuania and South Latvia. Recognizing the common history shared by the Baltic States, project partners aspire to enlarge the territorial coverage of the Baltic military heritage tourism offering by including objects in South Latvia and Lithuania to reveal the full historical narrative. The project seeks to integrate approximately 300 military heritage objects into the tourism product, establish military heritage tourism routes, and add significant new sites to the joint web platform www.militaryheritagetourism.info. Moreover, the project partners will focus on improving key tourism sites, such as the Cold War Exposition in Plokštinė, Repository of historical evidence in Līdumnieki, Viļaka Regional Museum, and the Military Heritage Hiking Trail in Līvāni region. To attract both domestic and international tourists and create new opportunities for the tourism sector, a comprehensive travel guide and map, along with promotional activities, will be developed. A conceptually innovative and expanded military heritage tourism product will unite individual sites and objects in rural areas in a sustainable network, fostering tourism and the economy, as well as cooperation, information exchange, and mutual learning among partners from Latvia and Lithuania.

Description (LT):

Projektu „Military Heritage II“ siekiama didinti karinio paveldo turizmo vaidmenį ekonominei plėtrai, prijungiant Baltijos šalių karinio paveldo turizmo produktą Lietuvoje ir Pietų Latvijoje. Prisimindami bendrą Baltijos šalių istoriją, projekto partneriai siekia išplėsti Baltijos šalių karinio paveldo turizmo produkto teritoriją ir įtraukti objektus iš Pietų Latvijos ir Lietuvos, kad būtų atskleistas visas istorinis palikimas. Projektu planuojama apjungti apie 300 karinio paveldo objektų, sukurti karinio paveldo turizmo maršrutus ir papildyti bendrą interneto platformą www.militaryheritagetourism.info naujomis svarbiomis lankytinomis vietomis. Projekto partneriai daugiausia dėmesio skirs svarbiausių turizmo objektų, tokių kaip Šaltojo karo ekspozicija Plokštinėje, Lydumniekų istorinių liudijimų saugykla, Viliakos regioninis muziejus ir karinio paveldo pėsčiųjų takas Lyvanų regione, atnaujinimui. Siekiant pritraukti vietinius ir užsienio turistus bei sukurti naujas galimybes turizmo sektoriui, bus parengtas išsamus kelionių vadovas ir žemėlapis, taip pat vykdoma reklaminė veikla. Inovatyvus ir išvystytas karinio paveldo turizmo produktas apjungs atskiras vietoves ir objektus kaimo vietovėse į tvarų tinklą, skatinantį turizmo ir ekonomikos plėtrą, Latvijos ir Lietuvos partnerių bendradarbiavimą, keitimąsi informacija ir mokymąsi vieni iš kitų.

Description (LV):

Projekta " Military Heritage II" mērķis ir palielināt militārā mantojuma tūrisma lomu ekonomiskajā attīstībā, paplašinot Baltijas militārā mantojuma tūrisma produktu Lietuvā un Dienvidlatvijā. Apzinoties Baltijas valstu kopīgo vēsturi, projekta partneri vēlas paplašināt Baltijas militārā mantojuma tūrisma piedāvājuma teritoriālo pārklājumu, iekļaujot objektus no Dienvidlatvijas un Lietuvas, tādējādi atklājot pilnu vēsturisko stāstījumu. Projekta mērķis ir integrēt aptuveni 300 militārā mantojuma objektus tūrisma produktā, izveidot militārā mantojuma tūrisma maršrutus un pievienot nozīmīgas jaunas vietas kopējai tīmekļa platformai www.militaryheritagetourism.info. Turklāt projekta partneri uzlabos nozīmīgus tūrisma objektus – Aukstā kara laika ekspozīciju Plokštinē, Vēstures liecību krātuvi Līdumniekos, Viļakas muzeju un Militārā mantojuma pārgājienu taku Līvānu novadā. Lai piesaistītu gan vietējos, gan starptautiskos tūristus un radītu jaunas iespējas tūrisma nozarei, tiks izstrādāts visaptverošs ceļvedis un karte, kā arī tiks īstenoti mārketinga pasākumi. Konceptuāli inovatīvs un paplašināts militārā mantojuma tūrisma produkts apvienos atsevišķus objektus un vietas lauku teritorijās ilgtspējīgā tīklā, veicinot tūrismu un ekonomiku, kā arī sadarbību, informācijas apmaiņu un savstarpēju mācīšanos starp partneriem no Latvijas un Lietuvas.

Actual Achievements (EN):

LC organized and all partners participated in the first project partners’ meeting in Riga from 26.-27.02.2024, where project activities were discussed and next tasks and deadlines agreed. Product development meeting took place on the 2nd day of PPs’ meeting, on 27.02.2024, and the meeting included guided on-site visits to military heritage sites. Agenda, presentations, lists of participants and photos from kick-off meeting and product development meeting available in report section "Project report annexes", file " 20240226-27_kickoff_meeting_product_development_meeting.pdf". Steering group and project management group has been established. LC supported PPs in process of identifying and selecting military heritage objects. ZPR, LKTA, ŽNPD and LTA have prepared preliminary lists of military heritage objects in their territories, and history experts have been contracted. Preparation of object descriptions and on-site inspections as necessary has been started. On 20.05.2024 LC organized and all PPs participated in online meeting about military heritage objects. The Baltic military heritage tourism product logo (brand sign) and visual identity brandbook has been adapted and created in Lithuanian by LC in cooperation with LKTA. LC has begun work on IT solutions in adapting the military heritage tourism web platform militaryheritagetourism.info to integrate Latvian-Lithuanian product information. In cooperation with LKTA, web application internal string translation to LT inserted, LT country and travel info have been added. Work with site improvements in Livani and Viļaka (Latgale region) has been started by LTA, and site improvements in Cold War Exposition in Žemaitija have been started by ŽNPD. LC supported PPs in process of defining tasks for their history experts, such as to describe LT events in timelines and add other historical information where relevant, to describe military heritage objects, stories, topics and other information according to the web platform structure and each PPs needs. Descriptions and collecting photos for objects and stories to insert in militaryheritagetourism.info is in the process. In order to establish contacts with international military heritage and tourism networks, history enthusiasts etc. and to promote recognition of Baltic military heritage tourism product, LC participated in LRE Forum in Aachen, Germany, from 26.-29.02.2024. Project profile created: latlit.eu/theprojects/military-heritage-ii/; information about project has been published in all PPs’ websites. Project information posted in LC, ZPR, LKTA and LTA social networks. Informative posters placed at premises of all PPs. All PPs participated and involved in creating content on Military Heritage Tourism social media accounts in Facebook and Instagram. LC presented the project in LC general assembly on 13.02.2024. Also, information about the project and invitation to participate was included in LC e-newspaper, Spring edition. ŽNPD presented the project in Zemaitija National Park‘s Tourism Forum on 02.05.2024. LC sent out informative e-mail about the project to LC members and TICs in Latvian regions on 20.05.2024. ZPR prepared 2 press releases: on 03.04.2024 about the projects that are being implemented in Zemgale for the development of the tourism, on 04.06.2024 about an opportunity to get involved in the creation of a military heritage tourism product. LC developed roll-up stand for presenting the Baltic military heritage tourism product in tourism fair in Jelgava, LV, on 25.05.2024; LTA participated in the fair. LC supported LKTA in organizing the Project Partners’ and Steering Group meeting held in Klaipėda on 10–11 September 2024. All project partners participated in the meeting to review progress, discuss ongoing activities, and agree on upcoming tasks and deadlines. Supporting documentation from the meeting is available in the report annexes under the file name 20240910-11_PP_SG_meeting.pdf. On the second day, 11 September, all partners and SG members also took part in a Product Development meeting, continuing the collaborative planning process. Five regional information and cluster network development seminars were held in Latvia and Lithuania, bringing together local stakeholders and experts. These seminars, hosted in Latgale, Zemgale, Žemaitija, Panevėžys, and Klaipėda district, strengthened regional networks and promoted dialogue on the sustainable development of military heritage tourism. LC supported the Latvian partners in organization of the seminars, and LC participated in the seminars in Latvia. The adaptation of military heritage tourism product development guidelines into Latvian, with Lithuanian contributions of content and examples, has been made. Translation into Lithuanian is underway. These guidelines serve as a foundational tool for local stakeholders to develop and promote military heritage sites in a coherent and engaging way. Simultaneously, all partners continued to work intensively on identifying and describing military heritage sites. Selected objects are being gradually added to the joint website militaryheritagetourism.info. 10 multi-day touring routes have also been developed collaboratively. LC created itineraries for routes across Latvia and cross-border routes between Latvia and Lithuania, while LKTA focused on routes in Lithuania. All project partners contributed, resulting in a network of themed tours now available on the website for public use. A cross-border experience exchange trip to Estonia in October 7-10, 2024 provided valuable insights into best practices for the project team and stakeholders. Concrete improvements have been implemented at military heritage sites. In Livani and Viļaka (Latvia), infrastructure enhancements were made by LTA, while ŽNPD contributed in Cold War Exposition, Žemaitija, including the creation of a 3D-printed tactile information stand and installation of 11 information stands. These upgrades enhance the visitor experience and improve site accessibility. A key deliverable has been the creation of a comprehensive Baltic military heritage travel map, available in four languages (Latvian, Lithuanian, English, and German). ZPR, LTA, ŽNPD and LKTA selected objects from their respective regions. LC provided product introduction, coordinated the layout and design, while ZPR ensured translation. The map showcases a diverse range of military heritage sites and contributes to telling the common history of the Baltic states from 1914. Ongoing content development and integration into the militaryheritagetourism.info platform continues, with new historical events added, and object descriptions and photos being added regularly. The project has maintained a visibility through press releases (five in total during this period) and consistent social media activity. All partners have shared updates on their own channels and contributed to Military Heritage Tourism’s official Facebook and Instagram accounts. Partners also managed updates to the project profile on the LatLit.eu platform. International outreach efforts are expanding. LC established connections with international networks, including the European Green Belt and the European Cold War Network. A press release was distributed to international media, broadening the project’s reach and recognition. Preparations are underway for a significant themed public event – the Christmas Battles Commemoration Event on January 11, 2025.

Project outputs: Improved sites in Latgale region (LV) and Žemaitija region (LT)(EN)
Project partners cooperating across borders.(EN)

Thematic information

Tourism

Priority: (VI-A_Lv-Lt_4) Priority 4 Economic potential of tourism and heritage

Priority specific objective: RSO4.6. Enhancing the role of culture and sustainable tourism in economic development, social inclusion and social innovation

Priority policy objective (Interreg specific objective): PO4 A more social and inclusive Europe implementing the European Pillar of Social Rights

Type of intervention: 166 Protection, development and promotion of cultural heritage and cultural services

Partners (5)

Lead Partner: Latvijas Lauku tūrisma asociācija "Lauku ceļotājs"

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 40008005627

Department: n/a

Address: n/a, LV-5020 Tome parish, Ogre region, Latvia

Department address: Kalnciema, LV-1046 Riga, Latvia

Legal status: private

Organisation type: Infrastructure and (public) service provider

Website: http://www.celotajs.lv

Total budget: EUR 182 830.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 146 264.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 36 566.00

Biedrība “Latgales Tūrisma asociācija”

Name: Biedrība “Latgales Tūrisma asociācija”

Department: n/a

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 40008077324

Address: „Untumi", Spundžāni, LV-4633 Rēzeknes novads, Latvia

Department address: Latvia

Legal status: private

Organisation type: Infrastructure and (public) service provider

Website: https://latgale.travel

Total budget: EUR 105 334.98

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 84 267.98

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 21 067.00

Žemaitijos nacionalinio parko direkcija

Name: Žemaitijos nacionalinio parko direkcija

Department: n/a

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 191440964

Address: Didzioji str., 90420 Plateliai, Plunge municipality, Lithuania

Department address: Lithuania

Legal status: public

Organisation type: National public authority

Website: https://zemaitijosnp.lt/

Total budget: EUR 91 480.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 73 184.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 18 296.00

Contractors:

Name: UAB "Audit&Accounting"
VAT registration or tax identification number: LT100005081410
Name: UAB "3D Creative"
VAT registration or tax identification number: LT100009344215
Name: UAB "ADE Exlusive design"
VAT registration or tax identification number: LT100006711016
Name: MB Plate lyn"
VAT registration or tax identification number: 191440964
Name: UAB "Velduva"
VAT registration or tax identification number: 305246400
Name: Alina Berzonkaitė
VAT registration or tax identification number: n/a

Lietuvos kaimo turizmo asociacija

Name: Lietuvos kaimo turizmo asociacija

Department: n/a

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 135029913

Address: K. Donelaičio, 44213 Kaunas, Lithuania

Department address: Lithuania

Legal status: private

Organisation type: Infrastructure and (public) service provider

Website: http://www.atostogoskaime.lt

Total budget: EUR 156 862.50

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 125 490.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 31 372.50

Contractors:

Name: UAB "Skaitmeninis krokodilas"
VAT registration or tax identification number: LT100009385717
Name: Eimutis Valiukas
VAT registration or tax identification number: 35808080829
Name: UAB "Gaudera"
VAT registration or tax identification number: LT345697610
Name: Salvijus Kulevičius
VAT registration or tax identification number: 37904200838
Name: Alina Borzenkaitė
VAT registration or tax identification number: 49606200147
Name: Kęstutis Kilinskas
VAT registration or tax identification number: 38109160496

Zemgales plānošanas reģions

Name: Zemgales plānošanas reģions

Department: n/a

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 90002182529

Address: Katoļu , LV-3001 Jelgava, Latvia

Department address: Latvia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: National public authority

Website: http://www.zemgale.lv

Total budget: EUR 105 420.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 84 336.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 21 084.00

Contractors:

Name: SIA “LIELĶĒNIŅŠ”
VAT registration or tax identification number: 48503007857

Partners map

Partners and Projects info

Latgale region Tourism association

Extending the Baltic military heritage tourism product in Lithuania and South Latvia.

Partners and Projects info

Ditrectorate of Žemaitija National Park

Extending the Baltic military heritage tourism product in Lithuania and South Latvia.

Partners and Projects info

Lithuanian Countryside Tourism Association

Extending the Baltic military heritage tourism product in Lithuania and South Latvia.

Partners and Projects info

Zemgale Planning region

Extending the Baltic military heritage tourism product in Lithuania and South Latvia.

Partners and Projects info

Latvian Country Tourism Association "Lauku Celotajs"

Extending the Baltic military heritage tourism product in Lithuania and South Latvia.

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Project name (EN): Extending the Baltic military heritage tourism product in Lithuania and South Latvia.

Project acronym: Military Heritage II

Project ID: LL-00052

Project start date: 2024-01-01

Project end date: 2026-03-31

Project status: ongoing

Relevant linked projects:

01/01/2020 - 04/30/2023 (EST-LAT156)
Latvian - Estonian Common Military Heritage Tourism Product (MILHER) (EN) |
The present project builds upon the achievements of the MILHER project to extend the Baltic military heritage tourism product in LAT-LIT programme area - Latvia and Lithuania. The following achievements will be used and further improved:
- web platform militaryheritagetourism.info will be upgraded and will integrate the Lithuanian part;
- the existing military heritage tourism network will be extended with new stakeholders in LAT-LIT programme area;
- the existing contacts with international travel trade, military heritage organisations, media, etc. will be maintained and used for product development and promotion;
- the product visual identity and format will be adapted to Lithuanian language and history context.
The key asset provided by the MILHER project that will be used by the present project is the positive recognition and popularity giving the Latvian-Lithuanian product significant advantages on the market. The market reaction has been tested and a safe path laid allowing to save time and resources that would be otherwise required to launch the product on the market. (EN), Baltic Green Belt (2008-2011)
ERDF, Baltic Sea Region Programme (EN) | The lead partner participated in the Baltic Green Belt project (2008-2011) partly financed by the European Union (ERDF) within the Baltic Sea Region Programme. The aim of this project was to facilitate the preservation of biological diversity in the Baltic Sea Region by establishing the Baltic Green Belt as a permanent network of co-operation. The focus was on the coastal zone that
was part of the Iron Curtain along the Baltic Sea. Organisers of the project studied what the Soviet military left behind in the region, considering ways in which that heritage can be put to use for tourism purposes and to ensure the sustainability of the territory’s social and economic aspects.
The project activities were implemented in coastal areas identifying objects of military heritage. Many of these objects were found unsafe for visiting and not relevant for use in tourism without prior improvement in spite of their attractive stories. The project activities focussed on nature protection, and did not produce a military heritage product with a common framework and
marketing story. The project conclusion was that high biological diversity is present in the formerly closed military areas, and this is a good potential for nature tourism. At the same, it was concluded that there is great interest in military heritage and this is topic with large potential target audience home and abroad. (EN), 06/01/2020 - 05/31/2022 (LLI-448)
Development of Forest trail In Latvia and Lithuania and expanding the Baltic Coastal Hiking route in Lithuania (Hiking project) (EN) | The project proved the relevance of presenting the three Baltic States as a joint tourism destination. This concept is logical and understandable to incoming tourists and travel industry - tour operators in Europe, UK and far markets. Since presenting the Forest Trail as a pan-Baltic tourism product, the route has gained increasing increasing international popularity and recognition. This is proved by the Forest Trail being noticed as all Baltic hiking route by Lonely Planet, one of the world's most popular travel guides. To reach increasing numbers of international tourists, the Baltic States should combine efforts and create more umbrella products involving all three countries - Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. (EN)

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 641 927.48

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 513 541.98

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

Co-financing sources:

ERDF: Amount, EUR 513 541.98. Co-financing rate, 80.00%.

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

(bullets are inserted automatically and may be incorrectly placed)

Infrastructure investments:

I1.3 - Viļaka regional museum - EUR 14 500.00 - country: Latvija (LV), town: Viļaka, street: Balvu str., 13, postal_code: LV-4583, Latvija (LV00), Latgale (LV005)
I1.4 - Military heritage hiking trail in Līvāni region - EUR 1 999.98 - country: Latvija (LV), street: Līvāni region, Latvija (LV00), Latgale (LV005)
I1.2 - Repository of historical evidence in Līdumnieki - EUR 14 500.00 - country: Latvija (LV), town: Līdumnieki, Līdumnieku pagasts, Ludzas novads, street: Tautas iela, 2, postal_code: LV-5719, Latvija (LV00), Latgale (LV005)

Deliverables:

Regional information and cluster network development seminars in LV and LT.
National events in LV and LT.
Military heritage tourism product development guidelines.
Military heritage tourism object descriptions.
Military heritage touring route descriptions.
Audio guides for military heritage tourism objects.
Military heritage tourism product logo.
Info plates for military heritage tourism objects.
Military heritage tourism experience exchange trip.
Product development meetings.
Military heritage tourism web platform adapted to integrate the Latvian-Lithuanian product.
Indoor digital interactive kiosk with exposition in Repository of historical evidence in Līdumnieki
Indoor digital interactive kiosk with exposition in Viļaka regional museum.
2 outdoor information stands on military heritage hiking trail in Līvāni region.
3D technology printed tactile info stand of the Cold War exposition.
11 info stands in the military town of Plokštinė military base.
Mobile interactive exhibition about Cold war period.
Baltic military heritage travel map.
Baltic military heritage travel guide with folding map - Southern part.
Promo videos and reels.
Latvian-Lithuanian military heritage tourism product integrated in web platform.
International specialised blogger, influencer, media tour, articles/ads in specific efficient media.
Military heritage tourism project final conference.
Mandatory communication.
National media trips.
Participation in travel fairs.
Participation in a themed military heritage event.

Contribution to wider strategies and policies:

EUStrategyBalticSeaRegion The project contributes to the EUSBSR objective Connect the Region and sub-objective Connecting people in the region. The project is implemented in cooperation between partner organisations. Each of the partner organisations reach out to organisations, institutions and society as part of their regular communication practices which allows to maintain the Baltic military heritage tourism network with wide variety of stakeholders. This network is the platform for permanent connection between all involved. The connection is exercised as professional information exchange and the grounds breeding new initiatives and co-operations.
The connection of project partners started with the project preparation where all partners contributed with their ideas for development. Project activities are structured to involve all
partners in the process - not only in their territories of operation but also in marketing and promotion activities on international scene. Project partners will distribute the information on
the contribution to the EUSBSR wherever possible to extend their contacts and maximise the projects’ results.
In the light of the above, the project will support the achievement of EUSBR Action Plan - Connect the Region, and the sub-objectives Connecting people in the region and Improved global competitiveness of the Baltic Sea Region.
Other The Military Heritage project contributes to the Guidelines for the Development of Lithuanian Tourism (approved by the Lithuanian Ministry of Economy and Innovation, 23 12 2022) in which the main task for the effective marketing of tourism is described as ‘Improving the availability of information about tourism on Internet‘. Integrating Lithuania in the military heritage tourism web platform https://militaryheritagetourism.info will help to fulfil this task.
Other The Policy Concept for the Preservation and Actualisation of Cultural Heritage (approved by the Lithuanian Ministry of Culture, 15 06 2020, no. iv-735) as one of the main principles, purpose and objectives of cultural heritage preservation and actualisation policy describes the need to strengthen the awareness of the value of tangible and intangible cultural heritage, its diversity, the unique interaction of different cultural traditions, manifested through the diversity of cultural expression. Military heritage, as being complicated and having not only historical or architectural, but also great emotional values, more than any other kind of heritage needs to be seen and taken care of.
Other In line with the National Security Strategy (approved by the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania, 28 05 2002, no. ix-907), the project contributes to the state and society resilience and helps to strengthen society's resistance to misinformation and other informational threats by developing cultural services, developing critical thinking, and strengthening cooperation between the public, private, scientific and non-governmental sectors (37.6).

Deliverable (other than infrastructural investment) areas:

Lietuva (LT), Ploksciai (Plokščiai) village, Plunge district, Silines (Šilinės) str., No. 4 and No. 6, LT-90414

Programme Common Output Indicator:

RCO 077 - Number of cultural and tourism sites supported, Measurement unit:
RCO 087 - Organisations cooperating across borders, Measurement unit:

Delivered output indicator(s):

(RCO77) Number of cultural and tourism sites supported: 1.0
(RCO87) Organisations cooperating across borders (MANDATORY): 5.0

Programme Common Result Indicator:

RCR 084 - Organisations cooperating across borders after project completion, Measurement unit:
RCR 077 - Visitors of cultural and tourism sites supported, Measurement unit:

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

EUSBSR Priority (Policy) area / Horizontal action:

EUSBSR Degree of compliance:

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

Financing programme

2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-A Latvia-Lithuania

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

2025-09-05

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

66 / 66 (100%)

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

230 / 230 (100%)

Notes on the data

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Extending the Baltic military heritage tourism product in Lithuania and South Latvia.

Description

Thematic information

Partners (5)

Partners map

Summary

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

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

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