From better utilization of natural and historical heritage to increased tourist attractiveness of the cross-border area

Programme 2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-A IPA Bulgaria North Macedonia

Date of latest update: 2025-10-01

Description

Description (EN):

Main objective is to enhance integrated and inclusive tourist development through development of an attractive integrated all-season tourism offer for the municipalities included in the project idea. Results two facilities for recreation in Yakoruda and Karbinci, improved mobility/connection in Belitsa and M. Kamenica, 6 joint integrated digital tourist products and increased capacity of tourist professional which lead to the increasing of number of tourists for 5%, (+1200 tourists) Challenge 1. improving mobility and connectivity, incl. alternative mobility to tourist sites; With the rehabilitation of the main road to the Semkovo resort (activity 3) which include laying of natural crashed stones and construction of canals for drainage of rainwater, connectivity of Semkovo Resort will be improved and rehabilitated road will be also, suitable for baking. Taking into consideration that resort Semkovo is connected with dirt forest roads with Center for the Rehabilitation of Dancing Bears, sanctuary park and Rila fun park, alternative mobility to above mentioned tourist sites will be improved. Challenge 2. improving branding and marketing for tourist products and services in the cross-border region; Creation of SMART digital tourism products (activity 1) like video tour and virtual reality for archaeological site Bargala, promotional video for hiking and biking on mountains covered by the project, mapping and development of interactive map of tracks, recording and production of 360° panoramic photos for all tourist sites cover with the project idea will improve marketing for tourist products and services. Challenge 3. strengthening cultural - natural sites and tourism – environment links Through the implementation of the planned activities, will improve the conditions for the development of tourism on the archaeological site (Bargala) and 4 natural (Osogovo, Plackovica, Semkovo and Yakoruda) sites. Simultaneously with the project idea, the contents of the covered sites themselves are enriched and new tourist services are introduced. As part of the construction works at the archeological locality Bargala, bins for waste selection will be installed. Natural materials will be used in all works. Challenge 4. unleashing the tourism potential and increasing its competitiveness With the creation of the final tourist product Multi day tourist package and tourists’ challenges, the competitiveness of the tourist offer of the region will be improved, because instead of a limited local tourist offer, an integrated tourist package will be obtained that will include different types of tourism. In this way, the tourist potential of the region will be presented and offered as one tourist region, which will be able to compete with the famous mountain resorts in the region and Europe, where several smaller resorts located close proximity to each other, join together in order to expanding the tourist offer and creating various tourist packages. Outputs Rehabilitated main road to Semkovo resort – municipality, SME’s in tourism sector, local population, tourist and visitors, owners of the facilities on Semkovo Arranged two recreational areas in Karbinci and Yakoruda – tackled Municipalities, SME’s in tourism sector, local population, tourist and visitors Erected 4 wood shelters and traced impassable sections of existing bike paths on the Osogovo mountain - Municipalities, SME’s in tourism sector, local population, tourist and visitors, bikers Provided 5 electric mountain bikes and additional equipment - municipality, SME’s in tourism sector, local population, tourist and visitors; Created 8 digital integrated product, including virtual reality - municipalities, local population, tourist and visitors; Developed of one joint all season integral Multi day tourist offers – Municipalities, SME’s in tourism sector, local population, tourist and visitors; Conducted 3 trainings for tourism professionals - SME’s and individual in tourism sector; Project idea applies a joint innovative approach to promotion of the combination of utilization of the natural and cultural heritage in the tourism development, creative ideas generation and development in an inspiring and interactive atmosphere of creative trainings, designing of digital tourist product and digital marketing promotion, creative web-based platform and persistent accumulation and transfer of knowledge and skills for using of nature and culture heritage and creative product development to support of development of the all season tourism. The project idea taking into account the identified possibilities, such as: Increased demand for sustainable tourism and organic products; and regional potential for diversification and promotion of alternative tourism facilities - cultural tourism; new solution (joint multi days all season tourist offer) that will result with the realization of the project idea will be developed based on the best practices in the field of tourism.

Actual Achievements (EN):

The following activities have been implemented during the first reporting period: 1. Administrative communication and coordination among the project partners for the start of the project implementation - The project partners initiated a request for project registration to the Secretariat for European Affairs, as required by national procedures for international donor-funded projects and received an project registration certificate, marking the formal inclusion of the project in the national registry system. - Some of the partners have been initiated the opening of a dedicated bank account under the name of the project. These accounts will be used exclusively for processing all financial transactions related to the project’s implementation costs, ensuring transparency and traceability of funds 2. Appointment of the Project Team During the reporting period all the partners appointed their experts as members in the project joint team. These experts form the project team are responsible for the successful execution of project activities and the achievement of its objectives. LP – Municipality of Bellisa – 1 expert as Project Manager by decision of the Mayor PP2 – Community Centre “Georgi Todorov 1885” – Belitsa – 2 experts as project assistant and project assistant accountant by decision of the Chairperson PP3 – Municipality of Yakoruda – 1 expert as technical assistant by decision of the Mayor PP4 - Municipality of Makedonska Kamenica – 2 experts as project coordinator and project assistant by decision of the Mayor PP5 – Municipality of Karbinci – 2 experts as project administrator and financial coordinator by decision of the Mayor; PP6 – Association for Development, Entrepreneurship and Entrepreneurial Learning Marvel-ADEEL – 1 expert as project coordinator by decision of the Chairperson; 3. Project procurement plan and preparation of partners’ procurement documentations All project partners prepared their public procurement plans and after approval, they started the process of preparing the documentation for awarding public procurements under applicable law. The LP - Belitsa Municipality elaborated, announced and launched its most important public procurement for construction works “Construction of a main alley network in Semkovo resort, Belitsa municipality” on 03.06.2024. The deadline for submitting offers is 24.06.2024. PP2 – Community Centre “Georgi Todorov 1885” – Belitsa: the process of preparing the documents for awarding the contracts for the implementation of relevant project activities for relevant service from the partner’s part of WP 3, 4 and 5. It’s planned that all contracts for the implementation of the activities will be concluded at the beginning of the next quarter. PP3 – Municipality of Yakoruda: The team began to prepare the documentation for the procurement for construction works and the drafts of the 2 contracts for authors. The documentation for public procurement for Construction of open sports grounds in Yakoruda is ready and the procurement will be launched in the beginning of the July. PP4 - Municipality of Makedonska Kamenica: Preparation of Simplified Tender Dossier for Works: PP4 began preparing the tender dossier for planned works on Mount Osogovo. This includes the rehabilitation of 26.1 km of hiking and biking trails and the installation of four shelter huts—three along the trails and one in the city center for storing electric bicycles. The invitation to tender is planned for early July 2025, contributing to the timely initiation of infrastructural improvements that are central to the project’s shared objectives. These activities collectively contribute to the project’s overall implementation timeline and provide a foundation for physical and financial deliverables, supporting coordination and alignment with other partners' work. PP5 – Municipality of Karbinci: The selection process for a Procurement expert is underway. PP6 – ADEEL: Formulation and preparation of the tender dossiers has been started for relevant service from the partner’s part of WP 3, 4 and 5.

Project outputs: Improvement of infrastructure tourism infrastructure on two sites in Belica and Yakoruda(EN)
Improvement of infrastructure tourism infrastructure in Karbinci and Makedonska Kamenica(EN)
Joint SMART digital tourism products (EN)
Population covered by projects(EN)
All season Integrated tourist offer (EN)

Thematic information

Cultural heritage and arts Tourism SME and entrepreneurship

Priority: (VI-A_BG-NM_3) Priority 3: Integrated development of the cross-border region

Priority specific objective: RSO5.2. Fostering the integrated and inclusive social, economic and environmental local development, culture, natural heritage, sustainable tourism and security in areas other than urban areas

Priority policy objective (Interreg specific objective): PO5 A Europe closer to citizens by fostering the sustainable and integrated development of all types of territories and local initiatives

Type of intervention: 165 Protection, development and promotion of public tourism assets and tourism services

Partners (6)

Lead Partner: Община Белица

Partner’s ID if not PIC: BG000024688 | For the purposes of the project VAT is non-refundable (EN)

Address: Georgi Andreychin , 2780 Belitsa, Bulgaria

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: http://www.belitsa.com

Total budget: EUR 327 329.94

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 278 230.44

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 85.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 49 099.50

Здружение за развој, претприемништво и претприемничко учење Marvel-ADEEL

Name: Здружение за развој, претприемништво и претприемничко учење Marvel-ADEEL

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 4029012512204

Address: Hristijan Karposh , 2000 Stip, North Macedonia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Website: http://www.gestaltsolutions.com.mk

Total budget: EUR 102 777.40

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 87 360.79

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 85.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 15 416.61

Општина Карбинци

Name: Општина Карбинци

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 4029005132110

Address: Karbinci, 2207 Karbinci, North Macedonia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: http://www.karbinci.gov.mk

Total budget: EUR 244 583.20

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 207 895.72

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 85.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 36 687.48

Општина Македонска Каменица

Name: Општина Македонска Каменица

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 4009005108600

Address: Kameniska, 2304 Makedonska Kamenica, North Macedonia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: http://www.makedonskakamenica.gov.mk

Total budget: EUR 113 151.62

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 96 178.87

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 85.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 16 972.75

Община Якоруда

Name: Община Якоруда

Partner’s ID if not PIC: BG000025039 | For the purposes of the project VAT is non-refundable. (EN)

Address: Vasil Levski , 2790 Yakoruda, Bulgaria

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: http://www.yakoruda.bg

Total budget: EUR 114 921.30

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 97 683.10

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 85.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 17 238.20

НЧ „Георги Тодоров 1885“

Name: НЧ „Георги Тодоров 1885“

Partner’s ID if not PIC: N.a.

Address: Vladimir Poptomov , 2780 Belitsa, Bulgaria

Legal status: public

Organisation type: N.a.

Website: http://www.library.belitsa.com

Total budget: EUR 45 694.92

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 38 840.68

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 85.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 6 854.24

Partners map

Partners and Projects info

Association for Development, Entrepreneurship and Entrepreneurial Learning Marvel-ADEEL

From better utilization of natural and historical heritage to increased tourist attractiveness of the cross-border area

Partners and Projects info

Municipality of Karbinci

From better utilization of natural and historical heritage to increased tourist attractiveness of the cross-border area

Partners and Projects info

Municipality of Makedonska Kamenica

From better utilization of natural and historical heritage to increased tourist attractiveness of the cross-border area

Partners and Projects info

Municipality of Yakoruda

From better utilization of natural and historical heritage to increased tourist attractiveness of the cross-border area

Partners and Projects info

Community Centre “Georgi Todorov 1885”

From better utilization of natural and historical heritage to increased tourist attractiveness of the cross-border area

Partners and Projects info

Община Белица

From better utilization of natural and historical heritage to increased tourist attractiveness of the cross-border area

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Project name (EN): From better utilization of natural and historical heritage to increased tourist attractiveness of the cross-border area

Project acronym: ALLURE

Project ID: BGMK0200047

Project start date: 2025-03-08

Project end date: 2027-03-07

Project status: ongoing

Relevant linked projects:

Cultural bridge through the centuries - (EN) | Created promotion video for part of the cultural heritage of CB region/Municipality of Belitsa will be attached on the created web site and will be included in the project promotional activities. All results ( developed presentation of intangible cultural heritage and other) from project will be capitalized in the frame of this project (EN), |

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 948 458.38

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 806 189.60

Total EU funding (co-financing rate): 85.00%

Co-financing sources:

IPA/IPA II/IPA III: Amount, EUR 806 189.60. Co-financing rate, 85.00%.

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

(bullets are inserted automatically and may be incorrectly placed)

Infrastructure investments:

I2.2 - Recreational centre and river bed in Bargala - EUR 308 404.54 - country: North Macedonia, town: Karbinci, street: Locality of Bargala, N.A., postal_code: 2207, ,
I1.2 - Construction of Open sports grounds in Yakoruda - EUR 99 888.01 - country: Bulgaria (BG), town: Yakoruda, street: Land property 87338.642.1,Municipality of Yakoruda, N.A., postal_code: 2790 , Yugozapaden (BG41), Blagoevgrad (BG413)
I1.1 - Rehabilitation of a main alley network in Semkovo - EUR 295 935.79 - country: Bulgaria (BG), town: CC “Semkovo”, Municipality of Belitsa, street: Area of Semkovo, Municipality of Belitsa, N.A., postal_code: 2799, Yugozapaden (BG41), Blagoevgrad (BG413)

Deliverables:

Rehabilitation of a main alley network in "Semkovo" Resort
Constructed Open sports grounds on the Yakoruda municipal mineral beach
Created space for holding cultural and educational events
Regulation of the riverbed of the Kozjačka River near the Recreational zone
Developed mount bike path on the Osogovo Mountain
Provided 5 electric bikes
Video Tour for Bargala archeological site
Virtual reality of Bargala archeological site
Digital photos (google map) for Bargala archeological site and mountain Osogovo and Plachkovica
Promotional video for mountain biking
Digital biking and hiking map
QR codes
Web page and social media
Digital photos
Video tour for mountain biking
Promotional video for mountain biking
Digital biking and hiking map
Joint Promotional video for hiking and biking
Joint integral bike and hike interactive map
Joint virtual tour of cultural heritage
Joint promotional video for created 6-day challenge for tourists
Trainings
Training for Mountain Guides
Tourism Seminar
Joint tourist offer
multi day challenges tourist programme
Organized - recreational competition multi day (3) challenge
Guidance materials for 3-day and 6-day challenge tourist programme
Marketing on-line campaign
three one day promotional events
Publication on TV (20)

Contribution to wider strategies and policies:

EUStrategyAdriaticIonianRegion Pillar 4 Sustainable tourism, Specific Objective: Improving the quality and innovation of tourism offer and enhancing the sustainable and responsible tourism capacities of the tourism actors across the macro-region, Topic 1 – Diversified tourism offer (products and services)
Sustainable tourism flagship of the program:
02 Training and skills in the field of the tourism
03 Expanding tourist season to the all year round
04 Development of sustainable and thematic cultural routes/ connecting cultural routes
Other Programme for development of the East planning region 2021-2026
S. O. 5 – Consolidation of the East region as an attractive tourist destination
P.5.1: Strengthening capacities for tourism development, through the training for the potential user from the tourist sector.
P. 5.2: Improvement of tourism infrastructure in the region, through the small-scale investments for reconstruction around the project investments spots.
P. 5.3:Creation and promotion of an integrated regional tourist offer, through the creation of a rich multi-day tourist programme.
Other Integrated territorial strategy for the development of the South-West region 2021-2027 (Republic of Bulgaria)
Undertake actions and measures for support of sustainable and inclusion in the growth of the specific natural and cultural potentials of SWB with priorities - ".optimal use of the available tourist potential, .increasing the attractiveness of settlements with tourist potential, .promoting tourism.". Under the project, new and reconstructed tourist sites will be created and attractive specific CB tourist packages will be digitized, combined into a digital integrated all-season tourist offer.
EUStrategyDanubeRegion Priority Area 03 “To promote culture and tourism, people to people contacts”
PA3- EUSDR- ACTIONS:
1: Promote sustainable tourism in the Danube Region and capitalise on EUSDR projects in the areas of culture, nature and tourism
2: Support and promote cultural tourism in the Danube Region
3: Invest in sustainable quality products, services, innovative forms and infrastructure in the fields of tourism and culture, promote skills, education and creating jobs in the related areas
Strategic Priorities:
1. Protection, rehabilitation, and promotion of the Cultural heritage of the Danube Region;
2. Promote sustainable tourism in the Danube Region and capitalize on EUSDR projects in the areas of culture, nature, and tourism

Deliverable (other than infrastructural investment) areas:

North Macedonia, Makedonska Kamenica, Area of Makedonska Kamenica, Osogovo mountain, 2304

Programme Common Output Indicator:

RCO 116 - Jointly developed solutions, Measurement unit:
RCO 084 - Pilot actions developed jointly and implemented in projects, Measurement unit:
RCO 077 - Number of cultural and tourism sites supported, Measurement unit:
RCO 074 - Population covered by projects in the framework of strategies for integrated territorial development, Measurement unit:

Programme Common Result Indicator:

RCR 104 - Solutions taken up or up-scaled by organisations, Measurement unit:
RCR 077 - Visitors of cultural and tourism sites supported, Measurement unit:

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

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

EUSAIR Priority (Policy) area / Horizontal action:

EUSAIR Degree of compliance:

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

Financing programme

2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-A IPA Bulgaria North Macedonia

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

2025-10-01

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

15 / 15 (100%)

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

66 / 66 (100%)

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From better utilization of natural and historical heritage to increased tourist attractiveness of the cross-border area

Description

Thematic information

Partners (6)

Partners map

Summary

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

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

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