Community-based models for the sustainable valorisation of cultural heritage crafts to enhance economic and tourism performance of remote areas of the Danube Region

Programme 2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-B Danube

Date of latest update: 2025-12-17

Description

Description (EN):

Cultural heritage is a crucial contributor to economic growth, balanced employment, community revival and territorial cohesion in the Danube Region (DR). COMMHERITOUR attends living heritage crafts as a source of socio-economic integration for rural/remote DR areas. Partner regions involved own and care for the tradition of heritage-based crafts with specific ‘flagship crafts’ with tourism potential. As local ecosystems support valorisation with varied efficiency, they all face the challenge of crafts unevenly promoting economy, tourism performance and community cohesion. COMMHERITOUR aims to maximise the contribution of cultural heritage crafts to economic productivity, tourism performance and community cohesion, in a sustainable way. The project enhances awareness of crafts heritage’s inherent growth potentials and improves valorisation capacities of communities by using inclusive models and transnationally applicable solutions strengthening cohesion. COMMHERITOUR’s transnational end-product is the HeriCraft Market, a digital platform of cross-cultural networking, showcasing crafts-related tourism attractions, sharing methods, inventions, and skill development curricula. 3 knowledge providers with relevant know-how in specific thematic areas support crafts heritage valorisation activities of 8 heritage regions (9PPs), while 13 ASPs of varied thematic competences will accompany the realisation of objectives and join the partnership for the cultural heritage-focused, community-based integrated tourism project. The project contributes to the deeper understanding of rural heritage crafts’ potentials in local economic development (esp. tourism) and its role in meeting social and community challenges typical for rural areas. Valorising the cultural heritage of living crafts with a new tourism market concept and treating the issue with a multi-sectoral ecosystem-based approach helps to improve the overall socio-economic situation in remote, rural areas of the DR.

Actual Achievements (EN):

After the 1st period is completed understandably none of the Specific objectives have been achieved and no main outputs have been produced. The 1st period was devoted to the overall project and partner-level preparations getting to know each other within the partnership, finding out more about project aims, means, and activities, and preparing and conducting the Deliverables leading to the main outputs expected in the further periods of project implementation. There have been a number of activities performed on the overall partnership level and on the partner level distinguished by role (LP, thematic knowledge partners (3), and regional partners (8+LP). The Kick-off meeting took place between the 25-27 of March in Ceske Budejovice (CZ) organized by PP4 and the LP. As for the thematic knowledge sharing: during the meeting, the LP presented and explained the aims, the intervention logic and workplan of the entire project. Initiated a mini-exhibition with exhibits of the targeted crafts of the project partners, which was a successful complementary element of the first in-person meeting of COMMHERITOUR and served as the first joint action (cooperation) creating an added value. Each project partner delegated at least one representative – except for PP6 (which soon after announced its intention to leave the project. The kick-off was also followed by ASPs (2 ASPs participated in person, while two more joined in the meeting online). The Commheritour COMSBOARD, which is the decision-making body of the project with representatives from all PPs, was set up. The Kick-off meeting served mainly the orientation of partners regarding the project activities and the administrative issues, while it also served the enhancement of the PPs’ cohesion with the joint dinners and the organized trip to Ceske Krumlov, a nearby heritage town. As the first step, the Knowledge Providers’ Working Group (KPWG Inc. LP, PP2, PP3, PP4) was founded under the coordination of the LP in order that the core joint methodologies for the first PP deliverables could be elaborated. The LP summoned the KPWG four times during the first period for different thematic purposes. The LP prepared the joint methodology and template for the stakeholder mapping (D.1.2.1. Stakeholder and community mapping) to be completed by the regional PPs. The documents of D.1.1.3 Joint methodology to support Valorisation Report I and D.2.1.2 Joint methodology for local value-chain analyses were prepared by UNILJUB and by METU respectively. RERA (PP4) coordinated and finetuned the compilation of D.1.1.1 Core project terminology, UNILJUB, METU, and LP largely contributed to it. PP thematic activities: In Activity 1.2 the partners representing 7 regions (of the 8 regions altogether) conducted the extensive mapping of local stakeholders for their area. The concerned partners (LP, PP5, PP7, PP8, PP10, PP10, PP12) mapped the possible stakeholders from their region and set up their stakeholder groups based on the mapping outcomes. Each regional partner composed a COMMHERITOUR local stakeholder registry to keep track of the stakeholder activities (not official deliverables but helps administration). In period 1. there were 7 finalized deliverables D.1.2.1 Stakeholder and community mapping by LP, PP5, PP7, PP8, PP10, PP11, PP12. The one missing deliverable is due to the partner change in Montenegro (PP9 left and the new partner is PP14 Regional Development Agency for Bjelasica, Komovi, and Prokletije) - PP14 scheduled D.1.2.1 completion for period 2. After the stakeholder mapping documents were completed by LP, PP5, PP7, PP8, PP10, PP11, and PP12 they organized the stakeholder workshops (1/ SO) as defined by the workplan of the project. LP, PP5, PP7, PP8, PP10, PP11, PP12 organized the first workshop for SO1 (D.1.2.2 Heritage valorisation workshop). The meeting directly contributed to the preparation of D.1.2.3 Local Heritage Valorisation Report I. by providing the inputs for the report. PP5, PP7, and PP12 conducted the first stakeholder workshop for SO2 (D.2.2.1 Heritage product marketing - local workshops). All other PPs scheduled the implementation of the 1st WS for SO2 for period 2. LP also managed the involvement of the ASPs in the project activities. In the 1st period, the representatives of the Heritage House and the Association of Hungarian Folk Artists were invited for in-person participation in the Kick-off meeting. Other ASPs were also involved by the LP in the online meeting agenda in June to introduce themselves to the partnership: ASP 7 Ministry of Development, Public Works and Administration, ASP 12 KUK - Culture- and Creative Industries Upper Pallatinate Association; ASP 13 National Platform of Women from Moldova. Each of the three ASPs delivered a PPT presentation. LP participated at the Interreg Danube Region LP Seminar (Belgrade 24-25 April 2024) – the thematic coordinator and the LP project manager represented the COMMHERITOUR project. After the second period is completed none of the Specific objectives have been fully achieved and no main outputs have been produced. While the first period was devoted to the overall project and partner level launching of activities and cooperation, the second period local and partnership level activities were fully devoted to the production of timely Deliverables leading to the main outputs scheduled in the further periods of project implementation. Number of deliverables got performed on the overall partnership level and on partner level distinguished by role (LP, thematic knowledge partners (3) and regional partners (8 +LP). Knowledge providers have been most active in producing, cross-checking, finalizing and sharing joint methodologies with PPs who used these guidelines and templates for the production of various regional PP deliverables (such as stakeholder mapping (D.1.2.1), Heritage Valorisation report I and II. (D.1.2.3. and D.2.2.2) local consumer attitude survey (D.2.2.3). The local stakeholder workshops (D.1.2.2 and D.2.2.1) and the surveying of local population (D.2.2.2) largely contributed to the realisation of the analytical deliverables. The actions (events, surveying) were opportunities to enhance the publicity of the Commheritour project among the stakeholders and local population. The reporting PP deliverables served as analytical products revealing the strengths and weaknesses of the scrutinized eight regional heritage valorisation eco-systems and highlighted those gaps which are to be treated by the future DR Strategy and DR and local level Action plans. The products delivered by the regional PPs have been used as inputs and major source of information for the DR level synthesis produced by the KPs in their specific fields in SO1 and SO2. The Danube Region level crafts heritage status assessments are necessary prelude / intermediary products fed into the upcoming works on the joint DR strategy and action plan as wells as for the local action plans (8), which are main project outputs of Commheritour. The KPs benchmarking activity (D.1.1.2 and D.2.1.1) was extensive and offered a good opportunity to contact several stakeholders in the Danube Region. PPs also largely cooperated as providers of good practices and also as intermediaries towards owners of other GPs. Commheritour is massively built on joint products such as joint methodologies which incorporate the views and local aspects of all PPs. Partners’ cooperation is already intense especially among PPs having pilot projects (in Period 3-4) under the umbrella of the same Specific Objectives. The cohesion is yet to be strengthened in the forthcoming Periods when joint products such as the DR Strategy, Action Plan and HeriCraft Market Platform require tighter co-working schemes. The added-value of the cooperation is better quality and overall relevance of project products taking on board district aspects the versatile partnership representing different levels of competence and fields of activities in the Crafts Heritage Valorisation eco-system. LP also managed the involvement of the ASPs in the project activities. In the 1st period and 2nd period the representatives of the Heritage House and the Association of Hungarian Folk Artists, ASPs from Moldova (ASP 13 National Platform of Women from Moldova) and Ukraine, Czechia participated in-person at to two in-person partner meetings organized until the end of Period 2. Other ASPs were also involved by the LP to the on-line meeting agenda in June to introduce themselves to the partnership: ASP 7 Ministry of Development, Public Works and Administration, ASP 12 KUK - Culture- and Creative Industries Upper Pallatinate Association; ASP 13 National Platform of Women from Moldova. Each of the three ASPs delivered a PPT presentations. LP participated at the Interreg Danube Region LP Seminar (Belgrade 24-25 April 2024) – the thematic coordinator and the LP project manager represented the COMMHERITOUR project.

Project outputs: Co-developed and peer-reviewed pilot activities focusing on preserving and valorising intangible heritage of crafts via community involvement under Solution 1

(EN)
Solutions verified via pilot actions under the theme of SO1 (preserving and valorising intangible heritage via community involvement solutions)(EN)
Co-developed and peer-reviewed pilot activities focusing on the development of regional marketing chains for increased product marketability and tourism impact
(EN)
Solutions verified via pilot actions under the theme of SO2 (focusing on the development of new products and further developing eco-systems for enhance tourism impact)
(EN)
COMMHERITOUR joint heritage crafts valorisation and value chain training SYLLABUS

(EN)
Joint Heritage Valorisation Strategy of the DR (EN)
Joint Heritage valorisation Action Plan of the DR (EN)
Local action plans for intangible heritage valorisation(EN)
HeriCraft Market Platform (EN)
Project partners and associated strategic partners cooperating formally across borders
(EN)
HeriCraft Market Platform
(EN)
Piloting COMMHERITOUR joint heritage crafts valorisation and value chain training SYLLABUS(EN)
Website: https://interreg-danube.eu/projects/commheritour

Thematic information

Institutional cooperation and cooperation networks Cultural heritage and arts Tourism

Priority: (VI-B_D_3) Priority 3 - A more social Danube Region

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: 137 Support for self-employment and business start-ups

Partners (15)

Lead Partner: Jászberény Városi Önkormányzat

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 15732671-2-16

Address: Lehel vezér tér, 5100 Jászberény, Hungary

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: http://www.jaszbereny.hu

Total budget: EUR 402 548.90

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 322 039.12

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 80 509.78

Contractors:

Name: Kozák Balázs EV
VAT registration or tax identification number: 69352063-1-42
Name: Jászsági Nép. Műhely Egyesület
VAT registration or tax identification number: 18848304-1-16
Name: Berép Consult Kft.
VAT registration or tax identification number: 13876342-2-13
Name: TETT Stúdió Kft
VAT registration or tax identification number: 22715506-2-41
Name: HBH Kft.
VAT registration or tax identification number: 10412426-2-41

Regionalna razvojna agencija za Bjelasicu, Komove i Prokletije

Name: Regionalna razvojna agencija za Bjelasicu, Komove i Prokletije

Partner’s ID if not PIC: tax identification number: 02769158

Address: IV crnogorske brigade , 84300 Berane, Montenegro

Legal status: private

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Website: http://www.bjelasica-komovi.me

Total budget: EUR 124 298.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 99 438.40

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 24 859.60

Contractors:

Name: DOO Drvoland Rozaje
VAT registration or tax identification number: 62/31-00923-8
Name: I&S Invest LLC
VAT registration or tax identification number: 03469484/701
Name: Aleksandra Kapetanovic
VAT registration or tax identification number: 0707973235075
Name: Slavica Vukcevic
VAT registration or tax identification number: 2512963215213
Name: Ahmet Kucevic
VAT registration or tax identification number: 0605985280036

Rukotvorine d.o.o.

Name: Rukotvorine d.o.o.

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 227226200001

Address: Varda, 88400 Konjic, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Legal status: private

Organisation type: SME

Website: http://www.zanat.org

Total budget: EUR 50 659.60

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 40 527.68

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 10 131.92

Javni zavod za kulturo Kamnik

Name: Javni zavod za kulturo Kamnik

Partner’s ID if not PIC: SI19359713

Address: Polčeva pot, 1241 Kamnik, Slovenia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Infrastructure and (public) service provider

Website: https://samostanmekinje.si/

Total budget: EUR 202 387.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 161 909.60

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 40 477.40

Contractors:

Name: Area Gea Institute
VAT registration or tax identification number: without VAT

Fond za evropske poslove i razvoj AP Vojvodine

Name: Fond za evropske poslove i razvoj AP Vojvodine

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 106652119

Address: Bulevar Mihajla Pupina , 21108 Novi Sad , Serbia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Other

Website: https://vojvodinahouse.eu/

Total budget: EUR 150 460.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 120 368.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 30 092.00

Contractors:

Name: Akademija teh-um struk studija
VAT registration or tax identification number: 112225199
Name: Gastro planet d.o.o.
VAT registration or tax identification number: 104926182
Name: GraphIT Plus d.o.o.
VAT registration or tax identification number: 106285085
Name: Educons University
VAT registration or tax identification number: 105699329

consiliul județean sibiu

Name: consiliul județean sibiu

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 4406223

Address: General Magheru street, 550185 Sibiu, Romania

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: http://www.cjsibiu.ro

Total budget: EUR 184 314.40

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 147 451.52

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 36 862.88

Contractors:

Name: Cultural Consulting SRL
VAT registration or tax identification number: 19% / 9% / 5%

Ústav sociálních inovací, o.p.s.

Name: Ústav sociálních inovací, o.p.s.

Partner’s ID if not PIC: CZ26608529

Address: Na Návsi , 664 51 Kobylnice, Czech Republic

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Website: http://www.socialni-inovace.cz/

Total budget: EUR 182 512.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 146 009.60

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 36 502.40

Lokalna akcijska grupa Središnja Istra

Name: Lokalna akcijska grupa Središnja Istra

Partner’s ID if not PIC: HR59363109641

Address: 154. brigade Hrvatske vojske , 52000 Pazin, Croatia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Website: https://lag-sredisnjaistra.hr/en/

Total budget: EUR 186 509.50

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 149 207.60

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 37 301.90

Contractors:

Name: NOVENA D.O.O
VAT registration or tax identification number: HR82441405695
Name: ECORYS Hrvatska d.o.o.
VAT registration or tax identification number: HR42979108876

Turistička zajednica Hercegovačko-neretvanskog kantona/županije

Name: Turistička zajednica Hercegovačko-neretvanskog kantona/županije

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 4227214290005

Address: Dr. Ante Starčevića , 88 000 Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Regional public authority

Website: http://www.hercegovina.ba

Total budget: EUR 136 804.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 109 443.20

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 27 360.80

Contractors:

Name: Custom Concept d.o.o.
VAT registration or tax identification number: 200331930001
Name: Fortuna Trade Tours d.o.o.
VAT registration or tax identification number: 227096580001
Name: Almir Peštek
VAT registration or tax identification number: n/a

Regionální rozvojová agentura jižních Čech - RERA a.s.

Name: Regionální rozvojová agentura jižních Čech - RERA a.s.

Partner’s ID if not PIC: CZ25187937

Address: B. Nemcove street, 37001 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Sectoral agency

Website: http://www.rera.cz

Total budget: EUR 190 418.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 152 334.40

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 38 083.60

Univerza v Ljubljani

Name: Univerza v Ljubljani

Partner’s ID if not PIC: SI54162513

Address: Kongresni trg, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: https://www.uni-lj.si/eng/

Total budget: EUR 172 281.20

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 137 824.96

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 34 456.24

Budapesti Metropolitan Egyetem

Name: Budapesti Metropolitan Egyetem

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 18172636-2-42

Address: Nagy Lajos Király u., 1148 Budapest, Hungary

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: https://www.metropolitan.hu/

Total budget: EUR 160 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 128 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 32 000.00

Contractors:

Name: Burst Nonprofit Kft.
VAT registration or tax identification number: 26687771-2-13

Fond “Evropski poslovi” Autonomne pokrajine Vojvodine

Name: Fond “Evropski poslovi” Autonomne pokrajine Vojvodine

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 106652119

Address: Bulevar Mihajla Pupina , 21108 Novi Sad , Serbia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Other

Website: https://en.uni-nke.hu

Total budget: EUR 150 460.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 120 368.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 30 092.00

Opština Petnjica

Name: Opština Petnjica

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 02968568

Address: Centar, 84312 Petnjica, Montenegro

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: http://petnjica.co.me/

Ustanova Narodni Univerzitet u Konjicu

Name: Ustanova Narodni Univerzitet u Konjicu

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 227046130005

Address: Varda street, 88400 Konjic, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Infrastructure and (public) service provider

Website: https://narodniuniverzitetkonjic.com

Partners map

Partners and Projects info

Regional Development Agency for Bjelasica, Komovi and Prokletije

Community-based models for the sustainable valorisation of cultural heritage crafts to enhance economic and tourism performance of remote areas of the Danube Region

Partners and Projects info

Rukotvorine d.o.o.

Community-based models for the sustainable valorisation of cultural heritage crafts to enhance economic and tourism performance of remote areas of the Danube Region

Partners and Projects info

Public institute for culture Kamnik

Community-based models for the sustainable valorisation of cultural heritage crafts to enhance economic and tourism performance of remote areas of the Danube Region

Partners and Projects info

Fund for European Affairs and Development of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina

Community-based models for the sustainable valorisation of cultural heritage crafts to enhance economic and tourism performance of remote areas of the Danube Region

Partners and Projects info

Sibiu County Council

Community-based models for the sustainable valorisation of cultural heritage crafts to enhance economic and tourism performance of remote areas of the Danube Region

Partners and Projects info

Institute of Social Innovations

Community-based models for the sustainable valorisation of cultural heritage crafts to enhance economic and tourism performance of remote areas of the Danube Region

Partners and Projects info

Local action group „Central Istria“

Community-based models for the sustainable valorisation of cultural heritage crafts to enhance economic and tourism performance of remote areas of the Danube Region

Partners and Projects info

Tourist Board of the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton

Community-based models for the sustainable valorisation of cultural heritage crafts to enhance economic and tourism performance of remote areas of the Danube Region

Partners and Projects info

Regional Development Agency of South Bohemia - RERA

Community-based models for the sustainable valorisation of cultural heritage crafts to enhance economic and tourism performance of remote areas of the Danube Region

Partners and Projects info

University of Ljubljana

Community-based models for the sustainable valorisation of cultural heritage crafts to enhance economic and tourism performance of remote areas of the Danube Region

Partners and Projects info

Metropolitan University

Community-based models for the sustainable valorisation of cultural heritage crafts to enhance economic and tourism performance of remote areas of the Danube Region

Partners and Projects info

Municipality of Jászberény

Community-based models for the sustainable valorisation of cultural heritage crafts to enhance economic and tourism performance of remote areas of the Danube Region

Partners and Projects info

The European Affairs Fund of Autonomous Province of Vojvodina

Community-based models for the sustainable valorisation of cultural heritage crafts to enhance economic and tourism performance of remote areas of the Danube Region

Partners and Projects info

Municipality of Petnjica

Community-based models for the sustainable valorisation of cultural heritage crafts to enhance economic and tourism performance of remote areas of the Danube Region

Partners and Projects info

People’s University in Konjic, Public Institution

Community-based models for the sustainable valorisation of cultural heritage crafts to enhance economic and tourism performance of remote areas of the Danube Region

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Project name (EN): Community-based models for the sustainable valorisation of cultural heritage crafts to enhance economic and tourism performance of remote areas of the Danube Region

Project acronym: COMMHERITOUR

Project ID: DRP0200409

Project start date: 2024-01-01

Project end date: 2026-06-30

Project status: ongoing

Relevant linked projects:

STIMULART (EN) | The STIMULART project (CE1491 Stimulart - 2019-2022) of the Interreg Central Europe Program involved 5 cities / 9 partners. The project aimed to enhance the contribution of cultural and creative industries (CCI) to the local economy by relying on varied CCI assets and eco-systems in mid-sized Central European towns.
The project built the capacity of CCI STGs in project cities via transnationally tested, universal tools and methods. CCI strategies and action plans based on joint methodology were created and tested in pilot actions: e.g. a CCI mentoring system; a creative mechanism utilising vacant spaces; IT-based CCI networking; and a physicalCCI Marketplace – Roomli the creative hub. Jászberény was the LP and piloted a multi-functional creative hub (still in use!) for local creatives incl. craftsmen.
STIMULART considered, assessed and dealt with 12 cultural and creative segments in each project location (5) as potentials to build local CCI ecosystems on. The project tested the adaptability of CCI mainstream in CE medium towns. COMMHERITOUR focuses exclusively on heritage crafts emphasising its role in tourism (which was present but not that much stressed in STIMULART). The target areas are out of the vivid, highly urbanised hubs in both projects but while STIMULART specialised in small urban centres COMMHERITOUR takes care of less urbanised, remote areas too, where the conditions might be even less favourable so distinct policies are needed.
COMMHERITOUR capitalises on the STIMULART ecosystem models (in the analytical activities and in A 3.2., A.3.3) following a complex method, with the multi-sectoral, multi-disciplinary approach. CCI Repository Handbook offering tools and methods to improve CCI framework conditions will also be a useful source in A.3.2 and A.3.3.
This is not a follow-up project of STIMULART in spite of the fact that Kamnik (PP12) and Jászberény (LP) were involved as PPs, while KUK from Germany (now an ASP12) was a STG member of Amberg, a PP. (EN), YOUINHERIT (EN) | The YOUINHERIT project was financed by the Central Europe Program and was realised between 2017 and 2020 in five countries of which three are also DR member states. The title of the project shortly summarises the aim of the project: “Youth involvement in the innovative valorisation and revival of traditional trades and crafts as cultural heritage to make urban regions more attractive and competitive in a dynamic age.”
Similar to COMMHERITOUR the subject of the project was heritage crafts valorisation but the aspect highlighted was the employment potential of heritage crafts among the youth, as the major target group of relevant policies for involving creative and innovative young minds. The aim was to keep the youth locally engaged meanwhile to ensure the survival of the old traditions. The activities were mainly TRAININGS and elaboration on educational programs for young people. YouInHerit also empowered coordinating organisations responsible for valorisation strategies and related policies via adequate support and capacities.
In COMMHERITOUR youth employment and trainings are also identified as key conditions of community based and economically successful valorisation models thus the project will largely capitalise on YOUINHERIT outputs in the local action planning phase (D3.3.3) as well as in the Heritage Craft Valorisation Training (D.3.1.1 and D.3.1.2).
YOUINHERIT produced a Transnational Toolkit, a relevant storage of ideas and concrete solutions, which COMMHERITOUR will also largely capitalise on.
(EN), MOMAr (EN) | MOMAr, Models of Management for Singular Rural Heritage, an Interreg Europe 2014–2020 project (2019–2023) focused on innovative ways of management and presentation of cultural heritage (mainly tangible) in areas with problematic development (ageing of population, brain drain, etc.) where the region’s identity is strongly connected to the cultural legacy and natural heritage. The partnership thus the knowledge to share was culturally varied (E, RO, CZ,NL,GER).
MOMAr serves to improve policies and programmes addressing heritage in rural territories, taking into account the peculiarities and cultural identities of places where rurality determines a mode of action. The inhabitants - who keep these rural /remote territories alive - are a central part of the strategies. The project activities focus on searching for ways to sustain the traditional rural atmosphere in all forms (tangible and intangible heritage, crafts, traditions) but also on adjusting to the changing needs of the current generations. Set of good practice examples have been merged into a brochure as one of the project outputs.
As core shared feature MOMAr and COMMHERITOUR both take care of the rural / remorse areas in Europe, who see a good chance of survival and prosperity in utilising the local heritage by the involvement of the local community.
COMMHERITOUR will greatly capitalise on the project experience and knowledge as well as outputs generated in the field of innovative heritage management and the presentation/marketisation of heritage - even though MOMAr is more engaged with tangible heritage. The most synergies can be identified with the SO2 activities as well as the organisational, management topics dealt with the HCV Strategy and action plans COMMHERITOUR (A.3.2 and A.3.3).
(EN), INSiGHTS (EN) | INSiGHTS - Integrated Slow, Green and Healthy Tourism Strategies was financed from the Interreg Danube Transnational Programme. LAG Central Istria (PP7) was a PP in the project.
Within the project, a common integrated sustainable tourism strategy was developed which encouraged partners in the direction of green and healthy tourism as a destination. e.g. for Central Istria as a result of the project an interactive tourist map Authentic Istria was developed where visitors can create their own routes and plan their stay according to their own interests. CULTURAL HERITAGE (together with natural beauties) is considered to be one of the most important resources of sustainable tourism and was thus in the focus of the project.
Within the project, cultural goods on the area have been mapped and revised which will be a great starting point for further assessments of intangible cultural heritage in the COMMHERITOUR project.
Furthermore, after-the-project results will be analysed and this will help identify potentials and marketability of specific heritage-based products and define their development direction. Since LAG Central Istria has previously been involved in this and other activities, the organisation has gained significant insights in the needs of the local community and has very good collaboration with local stakeholders which will be a crucial factor in the implementation of COMMHERITOUR project local activities (Valorisonatin reporting, Action planning as well as piloting). The experience on methods used in these activities will result in valuable contributions from the side of the PP7 (Local action group „Central Istria“) .
(EN), CERUSI (EN) | CERUSI – Central European Rural Social Innovation (Interreg Central Europe 2020-2022) Project focused on development of social economy and social innovations in rural areas. The starting point of the project based on other social innovation projects is that although the EU has invested a lot in regional development, people in the most rural regions are often still not reached by the projects, because the institutions conducting these projects are again situated in the comparatively well-equipped urban areas.
The same applies to the application of organisational solutions that could cause the rural / remote areas’ cultural potentials to become sources of value creation in local economics and tourism.
One of the key activities of the project was screening of certain areas and collection of data in social innovation potential, local community potential engagement, screening of needs in the areas, etc. RERA (COMMHERITOUT PP4, knowledge provider in social / community involvement) organised a series of meetings (online due to covid) where different institutions, organisations as well as the general public were involved. The screening resulted in a tailored acceleration programme for idea development not only in social innovation, but also in community life development and other fields.
CERUSI is an important source of inspiration for the DR HCV strategy and AP (A.3.2) as well as local HCV action plans (A3.3) for the development of organisational background where the project largely relies on local community involvement.
(EN), HERINFUTUR’ (EN) | Besides the transnational multi-player initiatives COMMHERITOUR also builds on the partners’ smaller scale but equally relevant and fruitful local or CBC projects. Such a project is HERINFUTUR’ (ID HUSRB/1903/33/0110) Young People and Heritage - Tradition and Future in CBC region, which was implemented by the participation of European Affairs Fund of Autonomous Province of Vojvodina (PP11). Project activities were aimed at bringing the cultural heritage closer to young people in their daily lives, as well as their more intensive involvement in the processes of protection and long-term preservation.
By aiming to enhance awareness of crafts heritage’s inherent growth potentials, the project builds on HEREINFUTUR project which aimed to increase the level of knowledge of younger generations of the South Bačka District and Csongrád-Csanád County in the field of cultural heritage protection, with a focus on preservation and restoration. The project aims to further promote intercultural exchange and interaction and encourage knowledge transfer beyond the cross-border region.
Apart from the general shared topics of heritage valorisation and youth involvement a special synergy of the projects HEREINFUTUR and COMMHERITOUR is that the both attribute distinguished importance to the extensive use of smart solutions, the adaptation of digital technologies. Given that cultural heritage is a resource for the future, HEREINFUTUR and COMMHERITOUR equally recognize the impact of digital technologies, such as creation of digital platforms and app, as a means to preserve, improve and promote culture.
The creation of the HeriCraftMarket (A.3.4) is a quintessence of all experience of digital solutions in cultural exchange, sharing and co-working now in the field of heritage craft valorisation for tourism purposes.
(EN), ADRISTORICAL LANDS (EN) | The project called ADRISTORICAL LANDS - History, Culture, Tourism, Arts and Ancient Crafts in the European Adriatic Territory was financed by IPA Adriatic Cross-Border Cooperation Programme (2007 – 2013). The project aimed at creating new forms of sustainable tourism through the enhancement of the excellence present in the Adriatic area which does not appear in the circuits of the traditional tourism supply.
NEW FORMS OF TOURISM are on the rise that have opened up significant economic and cultural opportunities: ADRISTORICAL LANDS focused specifically on this potential, that was promoted through the creation of new tourist itineraries celebrating the CULTURAL and natural assets of the Adriatic coast. The project identified "flagships" of each target area, sites with similar characteristics and that do not fall into the classic tourist offer of the individual partners. On this basis, project activities and pilot initiatives were undertaken, and promotion and communication actions were conducted with the involvement of local institutions and authorities.
COMMHERITOUR capitalises on the feature of the ADRISTORICAL LANDS that it is to deal with underrated touristic potentials, which does not appear or have just complementary role in the traditional tourism portfolio. Heritage crafts still mostly integrate into the tourism offer as the producer of local gifts and fail to be developed into high attractions from the status of supportive activities (with few exceptions). ADRISTORICAL LANDS already in the 2007–2013 financing period called the attention of regions and stakeholders to the missed potentials of intangible cultural heritage in tourism and can be considered one of the base points to build the intervention logic upon. In ADRISTORICAL LANDS partners chose flagship attractions, and the same logic is applied in COMMHERITOUR when the eight heritage locations ultimately focus actions on one or few selected crafts heritage. (EN), CCI4TOURISM (EN) | The project title: Strengthen entrepreneurial skills of Cultural and Creative Industries for the valorisation of cultural heritage and the development of sustainable tourism models in the Adriatic-Ionian regions financed by the Interreg Adriatic-Ionian. An experienced ASP5 (Consortium of Arts and Crafts Centres of Slovenia) of COMMHERITOUR participated in the realisation of the project.
The main CCI4TOURISM objective was: making CCIs key players of the tourism sector and a distinctive factor of growth in the AI macro-region. To achieve this goal new, unconventional approaches to tourism management strategies were needed, where a disruptive mind thinking mattered. PPs wished to dedicate the best of their business support services for the success of the cultural&creative sector.
The main expected result of CCI4TOURISM was the enhancement of the entrepreneurial mindset of CCIs bringing them at the heart of a radical change in territorial development and sustainability strategies where CULTURAL HERITAGE was no more an option, but the main point. Main outputs: 1)Transnational Strategy for the strengthening CCIs skills and competences; 2)setting up of a Creative Hubs network for the heritage valorization as the lighthouses of a renewed concept of creativity and culture where DIGITALIZATION make the difference; 3)Transnational action plan for a “Cultural tourism 4.0” offer across the AI area.
COMMHERITOUR PPs and local stakeholders realised the potentials of cultural heritage in tourism got dedicated to adapt the approach to set up a closer interlinkage between HCV (kind of CCI) and the local tourism in the remote DR areas and will benefit from the achievements of the CCI4TOURISM project. The shared points are cultural heritage, valorisation in tourism as well as digitalization as means of making a difference to earlier practices of connecting these sectors with apparently distinct approaches. (EN), DEDI (EN) | DIGITAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF SLOVENIAN NATURAL AND CULTURAL HERITAGE project was an initiative producing the web application, called Digital Encyclopaedia of Heritage (or DEDI) as a new milestone in the field of preservation and presentation of the Slovenian cultural and natural heritage.
According to the publication on the results: “DEDI introduces novel concepts, and aims for a more interactive search capability, and a greater presentation of the heritage to the general public. DEDI also supports research, learning, cultural development etc. and, as such, strengthens the national identity. The most important feature of DEDI is its unified approach where all four types of heritage are presented equally in one place.”
The project’s aim was to briefly and selectively describe elements of natural and CULTURAL HERITAGE and the methodology applied incl. the capability of condensed writing which will also be used in COMMHERITOUR. The DEDI methodology to select, categorise and evaluate heritage (even from the viewpoint of valorisation potentials) is a source of inspiration to develop methodology for the HCV Reports of the eight heritage locations in COMMHERITOUR. The application will also be a contribution to the collection of digital solutions possibly adapted by partners to develop the tourism potentials of crafts.
Connection between Commheritour and those activities can be made in regard to activities D.1.1.1., D1.2.1., D.3.3.1. Especially strong connections can be made to the research and mapping part of the COMMHERITOUR, as the same methodologies were used. (EN)

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 2 143 192.60

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 1 714 554.08

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

Co-financing sources:

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

(bullets are inserted automatically and may be incorrectly placed)

Deliverables:

Core project terminology set-up
Heritage valorisation benchmark in remote DR areas
Joint methodology to support Valorisation Report I.
Stakeholder and community mapping
Heritage valorisation workshops
Local Heritage Valorisation Reports I. produced
SO1 local pilot preparations completed
Implementation of SO1 pilots under Solution 1
Monitoring SO1 pilots, peer-review visits
Local pilot reporting – Solution 1 synthesis
Complex research of DR heritage market completed
Joint methodology for local value-chain analyses
Potentials of digital tools in DR heritage markePotentials of digital tools in DR heritage marke
Heritage product marketing - local workshops
Local Heritage Valorisation Reports II. produced
Surveying local consumer attitude
Local pilot preparatory workshops SO2
Implementation of SO2 pilots under Solutions 2-3
Monitoring SO2 pilots, peer-review visits
Local pilot reporting - Solutions 2-3 synthesis
Joint training syllabus prepared
Integrated heritage valorisation training for PPs
Transnational workshops for PPs completed
Mentoring and QA by the 3 knowledge partners
Study visit to Brno and surrounding area to visit CCI good practices
Setting up a working group and methodology
DR Joint Heritage Valorisation Strategy prepared
On-line workshop for DR action planning
DR heritage valorisation Action plan worked out
Joint methodology for local action planning
Preparation of local action plan
Workshops, Final Local Knowledge sharing event
Setting-up/operating HeriCraftMarket working group
Functional design and setting up HCM
Managing HCM - Presenting HeriCraft Market for DR
Report on Policy workshops in each country
Country-specific policy recommendations in the DR
Commheritour Final Conference

Contribution to wider strategies and policies:

EUStrategyDanubeRegion The European Union Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR) intends to develop coordinated policies and actions in the Danube river basin. (The EUSDR Action Plan presents operational objectives, projects and actions for each PA) The EUSDR addresses a number of issues (in 4 pillars / 12 priority areas). The most relevant PA for COMMHERIOUR is PA3 Culture and tourism “To promote culture and tourism, people to people contacts' Strategic priorities within PA3: PA3_SP1. Protection, rehabilitation, and promotion of the Cultural heritage of the Danube Region; PA3_SP 2. Promote sustainable tourism in the Danube Region and capitalise on EUSDR projects in the areas of culture, nature, and tourism; PA3_SP 3. Support for contemporary arts to tackle the impact of the pandemic crisis, through creative industries, innovation, and inter-sectoral specialisation (COVID-19 recovery purpose);
COMMHERITOUR will contribute largely to PA3_SP1 by assessing the crafts heritage and the valorisation potentials on the basis of which both protection and promotion of living and endangered crafts can lay, while an equally important contribution will be made to PA3_SP2 with the sustainable tourism focus by setting up a close relationship of crafts heritage valorisation and enhancing tourism potentials of crafts related activities. The project also takes on To PA3_SP 3 considerations by using crafts heritage as inspiration for new art products. The project not only adds up to EUSDR PA3 SPs separately but also promotes the interlinkage between SP1, SP2 and SP3 by adapting an integrated approach to combine crafts heritage valorisation potential attainments with the adaptation of advanced value-chain models in local economy and tourism.
The project also supports PA 9. People and Skill “To invest in people and skills” by stressing the fundamental nature of supplying the future generations of the craftsmen from among the youth of the Danube Region.
EuropeanGreenDeal The overall aim of the Green Deal is to make Europe the first climate neutral continent. The European Green Deal sets the blueprint for a transformational change thus it requires the adaptation of a new economic model. The new approach considers new opportunities for innovation and investment and jobs, to reduce emissions, create jobs and growth, address energy poverty, reduce external energy dependency, improve our health and wellbeing.
COMMHERITOUR with cultural and tourism foci may look climate neutral at first sight but considering the EU adapted approach expressed in Green Deal we need to understand that practically ALL SECTORS are concerned. The Green Deal proposes to make all sectors of the EU’s economy fit to meet the core challenge. e.g. Green Deal and arts and crafts are brought close by Creative Europe, which offers the opportunity to stress the sustainable nature of COMMHERITOUR attainments too.
Heritage crafts rely on natural raw materials as well as non-polluting techniques in the crafting processes as was the case in old times. Promoting such techniques and use of nature-based resources (such as wool, wood, herbs etc. relevant in COMMHERITOUR) will undoubtedly contribute to the realisation of circular economy objectives. The project will “raise awareness of how things are made, how they are used and what happens to them when we don’t use them anymore.”
When using heritage for new design the form and usability may change, but COMMHERITOUR strongly insists on the use of non-polluting old techniques. It also strives to outreach to new demands, building on redesigned products supported also by carbon-neutral digital solutions to contribute to making the circular economy a reality in HCV initiatives.
TerritorialAgenda2030 The Territorial Agenda 2030 provides an action-oriented framework to promote territorial cohesion in Europe. „Territorial cohesion is a European Union aim introduced by the Treaty on European Union (Article 3, TEU). It means promoting balanced and harmonious territorial development between and within countries, regions, cities and municipalities, as well as ensuring a future for all places and people in Europe, building on the diversity of places and subsidiarity.” The Agenda calls attention to the very different development potential and challenges and thus to increasing imbalances and inequalities concerning Quality of life, Services of general interest, Demographic and societal imbalances, Digitalisation and the 4th industrial revolution, Employment and economic development. The territorial priorities most relevant for COMMHERITOUR are 1. Better balanced territorial development utilising Europe’s diversity / 2. Convergent local and regional development, less inequality between places.
COMMHERITOUR aims to develop remote areas of the Danube Region with markedly weaker growth potentials compared to highly urbanised central locations. By promoting cultural heritage as a manifesto of diversity the project contributes to the attainments of the TA 2030 priorities quoted above. By enhancing the local economy and the HCV -based tourism potentials and performance rooted largely in local knowledge and resources as well as by mobilising the youth COMMHERITOUR promotes the territorial cohesion of remote areas.
COMMHERITOUR also encourages interconnectivity of less and more developed regions with distinct growth potentials by e.g. joint efforts in crafts training and by enforcing the local adaptation of solutions validated in other regions of Europe within and beyond the Danube Region.
Other The New Agenda for Culture (2018) provides the framework for cooperation on culture at the EU level. The document highlights added value that culture brings to Europe’s society, its economy and international relations. The Agenda also suggests modes of co-working among Member States, civil society organisations and international partners. The New Agenda consists of three strategic areas (SAs), with specific objectives. Here we are stressing those objectives which are found the most relevant for COMMHERITOUR. These are also the objectives that the project is able to contribute to to the largest extent.
1.) SOCIAL SA seeks to foster the cultural capability of all Europeans by making available a wide range of cultural activities and providing opportunities to participate actively, - COMMHERITOUR opens up the heritage crafts to local communities to participate and also sets the conditions in remote areas to develop products (services) to involve people from other areas in the framework of cultural tourism;
2.) ECONOMIC SA- promotes fostering favourable ecosystems for cultural and creative industries, promoting access to finance, innovation capacity, fair remuneration of authors and creators and cross-sectoral cooperation – COMMHERITOUR works for the interdisciplinary and multi-sectoral approach in heritage crafts valorisation channelling heritage protection, promotion into value chain model adaptations especially in the tourism industry;
3.) EXTERNAL SA where the relevant goal is to strengthen the EU’s international cultural relations through objectives such as to support culture as an engine for sustainable social and economic development – COMMHERITOUR considers it as a mission to set-up and feed such eco-system models that make the project impact lasting causing transformation of the local set-up of HCV frameworks and operations.
The Agenda is broken down to Work Plans for Culture (most recent 2023-2026) sets out short term priorities.
Other The European Framework was announced in the new European Agenda for Culture (see above). The Framework promotes and puts into practice an INTEGRATED and PARTICIPATORY approach to cultural heritage. It builds on the results of the European Year of Cultural Heritage (2018) and ensures its legacy by developing further concrete actions.
This Framework for Action is based on five pillars: 1. Cultural heritage for an inclusive Europe; 2. Cultural heritage for a sustainable Europe; 3. Cultural heritage for a resilient Europe; 4. Cultural heritage for an innovative Europe; 5. Cultural heritage for stronger global partnerships. While all pillars find relevance in the aims and activities of COMMHERITOUR two pillars are especially stressed.
PILLAR 1: Cultural heritage for an inclusive Europe: In order to engage the wider public, it is indispensable to reinforce the visibility of cultural heritage – the actions of COMMHERITOUR to enable heritage regions to enhance the recognition of crafts heritage will respond to this Framework ambition. Another cluster of actions aims at engaging and empowering the younger generations for the benefit of Europe’s cultural heritage – in line with this COMMHERITOUR promotes the participation and involvement of the YOUTH concomitant to achieve the ultimate objective of our HCV project.
PILLAR 4: Cultural heritage for an innovative Europe: Technological tools for innovation on cultural heritage are being developed for the preservation and curation of cultural heritage – COMMHERITOUR stresses that the clue to success in HVC is merging the old and new technologies incl. digital solutions in especially the valorisation assessment and at a later stage in the promotion of new HCV products. Further actions aiming at social innovation by reinforcing the role of civil society in cultural heritage governance and taking care of cultural heritage competences are closely overlapping with COMMHERITOUR aims and activities.
Other The mission of European Agenda for Tourism 2030, including a multi-annual EU work plan is to help member states, public authorities, the Commission and stakeholders make the tourism sector greener and more sustainable, resilient and digitalised. The agenda involves priority areas: 1.) Enabling policy framework and governance, 2.) Green transition; 3.) Digital transition; 4.) Resilience and inclusion; 5.) Skills and support for transition. The ultimate objective of COMMHERITOUR is to make crafts heritage valorisation products visible and competitive in the overall tourism market at each location and among the types of attractions in Europe.
The following key topics important in the COMMHERITOUR project consistently appear in the European Agenda for Tourism 2030 linked to all the five priority areas.
PA1) – Enhancing the organisational background combining all territorial levels and related skills to promote HCV in tourism // PA2) – Stressing that all HCV activities promoting the traditional non-polluting techniques are contributors of green transition. There is a strong case for combining active tourism with HCV related tourism. // PA3) – COMMHERITOUR stresses the incorporation of digital solutions and the related digital skills to make the HCV ecosystems operate smoothly and efficiently. // PA4) The project highlights the inclusion of the youth and the elderly generations – the youth being a key target group in the project taking over the skills and knowledge related to HCV and innovatively connecting it with the new market expectations // PA5) COMMHERITOUR stresses that targeted training programmes are crucial and the strengthening of competences in all HCV related sectors possibly on the same basis are equally important.

Programme Common Output Indicator:

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

Programme Common Result Indicator:

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:

Programme Result Indicator:

ISI - Organisations with increased institutional capacity due to their participation in cooperation activities across the borders, Measurement unit: No. of organisations

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 Danube

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

2025-12-17

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

138 / 138 (100%)

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

1 413 / 1 413 (100%)

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Community-based models for the sustainable valorisation of cultural heritage crafts to enhance economic and tourism performance of remote areas of the Danube Region

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Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

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

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