CULTURISE: Culture and Sustainable Tourism for Social Inclusion and Innovation in RMD and RO

Programme 2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-A NEXT Romania - Rep.Moldova

Date of latest update: 2025-08-22

Description

Description (EN):

The "CULTURISE: Culture and Sustainable Tourism for Social Inclusion and Innovation in Republic of Moldova and Romania" project promotes the cross-boarder cooperation between two NGO’s from RO and MD that focus their attention in promoting the cultural heritage and sustainable turism on both sides of Prut River. The targeted ares from Romania are situated in Iasi, Botosani and Vaslui Conties and from Republic of Moldova are situated in Chisinau, Orhei, Soroca, Ungheni districts. Activities: -Identification/evaluation of the material cultural heritage of Iași, Botosani and Vaslui counties and the Republic of Moldova. During this activity The Cultural Map of the Cross-border Region will be developed as a common network in the field of tourism and culture and presents 20 touristic objectives from Romania situated in Iasi, Botosani and Vaslui Conties and 20 touristic objectives from Republic of Moldova situated in Chisinau, Orhei, Soroca, Ungheni districts. It will also remain a reference tool even after the end of the project. This map represents an element of social innovation, offering an accessible and transparent way for people interested to explore and understand the wealth of cultural heritage in the targeted regions by the project, it stimulates the active involvement of local communities in the promotion and preservation of their heritage, represents an innovative educational tool offering users a way to learn and discover more about the history and cultural traditions of the targeted regions and especially will serve as a source of inspiration for future projects, stimulating social innovation in terms of managing and promoting cultural heritage. -Promoting, making accessible and valorizing cultural heritage by running an online campaign to promote material cultural heritage -Promotion, accessibility and valorization of cultural heritage by organizing a face-to-face promotion campaign in the Republic of Moldova -Promotion, accessibility and valorization of material cultural heritage through the organization of tourist circuits in Romania and the Republic of Moldova – 2 touristic circuits will be organized where 80 persons from RO and MD will participate. -Organization of workshops for the promotion of material cultural heritage -Exchange of knowledge and good practices in the field of maintenance and revitalization of cultural heritage areas and sites in the cross-border region -Campaign to disseminate the best practices guide in the field of maintenance and revitalization of cultural heritage areas and sites in the cross-border region -Organization of the Cross-border Cultural Festival: Heritage in Exchange, in Romania and the Republic of Moldova - The RO Festival brings together 90 people from the MD, and the MD Festival also brings together 90 people from RO. The festival takes place over 2days in RO and 2days in MD, offering participants the opportunity to connect, learn from each other and contribute to the sustainable development of cultural heritage.

Expected Achievements (EN):

The specific objective (SO) of the project is to capitalise sustainable tourism in economic development during 14 moths by to strengthening the role of cultural patrimony from cross-border area (IS, BT si VS și RMD) fostering, in this way, social inclusion in a social innovation manner through joint interventions in promotion campaigns, cultural events and developing an innovative product like a cross border cultural map, an action plan and exchanges of experience for large public and also workshops for non-specialists in the field, but which are responsible (through their daily activity) for managing cultural heritage in order to transform them in great promoters of the sites that they are guard and maintain, all this with the grater aim of increasing the importance of tourism potential in cross border economy. The SO will directly contribute to the programme' result indicators: RCR84_2.3, RCR79_2.3, RCR77_2.3.

Project outputs: organisations cooperating for promoting material heritage(EN)
joint innovative set of 13 action plans in cross-border area developed between involved partners, by the management team together with involved experts and relevant experienced volunteers in the field(EN)
tourism and cultural sites from RO and from RMD supported(EN)
Website: https://ro-md.net/en/programme-2021-2027

Thematic information

Cultural heritage and arts Tourism

Priority: (VI-A_Ro-Mo_2) Social Development across Borders

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

Partners (2)

Lead Partner: Asociația Obștească Soarta

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 916470066

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 1017620000203

Department: Project Management

Address: Mateevici , MD- 3000 Soroca, Moldova

Department address: Mateevici , MD- 3000 Soroca, Moldova

Legal status: private

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Total budget: EUR 164 830.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 148 347.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 90.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 16 483.00

Fundația Solidaritate și Speranță

Name: Fundația Solidaritate și Speranță

Department: Project Management

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 879214306

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 14832064

Address: Costache Negri, 700071 Iași, Romania

Department address: Costache Negri, 700071 Iași, Romania

Legal status: private

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Total budget: EUR 164 949.91

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 148 454.91

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 90.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 16 495.00

Partners map

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Project name (RO): CULTURISE: Cultură și Turism Durabil pentru Incluziune Socială și Inovație în Republica Moldova și România

Project name (EN): CULTURISE: Culture and Sustainable Tourism for Social Inclusion and Innovation in RMD and RO

Project acronym: CULTURISE

Project ID: ROMD00136

Project start date: 2025-03-13

Project end date: 2026-05-12

Project status: ongoing

Relevant linked projects:

Regional Programme Northeast 2021-2027 (EN) | The Regional Operational Programme for the North-East Region 2021-2027 is a strategic programming document covering the areas of smart specialisation and innovation, SMEs, digitisation, energy efficiency, urban development etc., mobility and connectivity, biodiversity, educational infrastructure, tourism and culture/cultural heritage. Taking into account national, regional and local needs, the selected specific objectives and actions/project types support the programme strategy for the sustainable and balanced development of the region. The funded projects have the potential to contribute to the improvement of green infrastructure by adopting solutions that reduce the environmental footprint of the anthropogenic component.
The Regional Operational Programme for the North-East Region 2021-2027, which is under negotiation with the European Commission, will be implemented in accordance with the provisions of the Common European Strategic Framework 2021-2027 and the related European regulations.On the other hand, horizontal links and synergies can be identified with operational programmes on other sectors at the same level - PODD, POT, POCID, POCU, POS, INTERREG.
The project is similar to ROP as the objectives pursued are to favour integrated social, economic and environmental development at local level and cultural heritage, tourism and security in urban areas; Fostering integrated social, economic and environmental development at local level and cultural heritage, tourism and security outside urban areas;
(EN), The National Recovery and Resilience Plan (EN) | Following the unprecedented crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Romania's recovery and resilience plan responded to the urgent need to promote a strong recovery at the same time, increasing the resilience of the Romanian economy and society and better preparation for the challenges and opportunities of the ecological and digital transition . In 2023, the REPowerEU chapter is introduced - new measures to save energy and diversify the EU's energy supply. PNRR is structured on 16 components and this project having synergies with this project through Pillar IV. Social and territorial cohesion, Component C11.Tourism and culture, I1. Tourist routes/cultural, I2. Museums and memorials, I5. Pilot programs access to culture for small towns, I7. Digitalization of film production and distribution (EN), The Operational Development Programme
Durable 2021-2027 (EN) | The Sustainable Development Programme (SDP) is developed in accordance with the EU objective of preserving, protecting and improving the quality of the environment and in accordance with the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU and the second policy objective of Regulation No. 1060/2021, ”O Europe greener”.
PDD contributes to transforming the EU economy into a modern, competitive and efficient economy, dissociated from the use of resources, in line with the objectives of the European Green Deal (EAP) and the EU Action Plan on zero pollution reduction as an integral part of PVE.
PDD will contribute to climate change adaptation by increasing energy efficiency and developing smart energy systems, storage solutions and the energy system, but also to improve water and wastewater infrastructure; circular economy; biodiversity conservation; air quality; decontamination of polluted sites.It is structured on 4 priorities 1. Development of water and wastewater infrastructure and transition to a circular economy, 2 Environmental protection through biodiversity conservation, air quality assurance and remediation of contaminated sites 3 Promotion of adaptation to climate change and risk management and 4 Promotion of energy efficiency, smart energy systems and networks and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Under the Interreg project, the integration of 5R measures (Refuse, Reduction, Re-use, Restoration, Recycling) is pursued, addressing the unsustainable use of resources and waste, promoting healthy. The types of actions were assessed as being compatible with the DNSH principle, given that by their nature they are expected to have none significant negative impact on the environment
(EN), The Operational Education and Employment Programme
The Labor Force (EN) | the Education and Employment program aims to harness the human potential under fair conditions by increasing the relevance of education and training systems for the labor market, including, in the context of the use and development of digital and entrepreneurial skills and the promotion of a stimulating environment for lifelong learning and the main objective is to make the Romanian labour market sustainable, the, resilient and sustainable, pro-active and based on social innovation.
The program has 2 specific objectives: 1. Strengthening the efficient functioning of the labour market and facilitating inclusive and equal access to and participation in quality and sustainable employment for labour resources2.Optimisation of education and training systems to meet labour market requirements, promoting equal access to education and promoting lifelong learning.The actions of the INTERREG funded are synergistic with the measures provided in the EPO developing entrepreneurial culture, supporting entrepreneurship and the social economy;;developing social dialogue and involving social partners in the implementation of employment policies, including by increasing their capacity; ensuring a safe and healthy working environment and promoting active ageing; and; increasing participation in lifelong learning to ensure labour market transitions and the professional mobility of employees.
(EN), Operational Programme Social Inclusion and Dignity (EN) | The Social Inclusion and Dignity Programme (PoIDS) is a set of integrated measures supporting the implementation of national and local strategies to contribute directly to supporting the process of reducing poverty and to support vulnerable groups in order to overcome the situation of social exclusion, in line with the principles of the European Pillar on social rights.
At programme level, the priorities support distinct vulnerable groups but include integrated and interconnected measures to ensure an effective financial allocation of interventions
The project has simulations with POIDS as it realizes: Supporting the social inclusion of people belonging to vulnerable groups, especially those at high risk, including by bridging the rural-urban gap in poverty and social exclusion and increasing access to quality services for the vulnerable population. (EN), Interreg Danube (EN) | The Danube region is a region of barriers, and due to political, economic, social and administrative fragmentation, the development of the entire region is difficult to achieve. In this respect, European measures for stronger cohesion together with accession and neighbourhood policies create opportunities for better integration of the Danube area. The Danube transnational programme funds transnational cooperation projects in line with the priorities of the European Union Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR).
Thus, the Danube Region 2021-2027 programme will address these challenges and opportunities by focusing international cooperation on the following policy objectives:Europe is more capable; A greener Europe with fewer carbon emissions;A more social Europe;Better governance of cooperation.
The present project has simulutins with the Danube Region 2021-2027 programme because it is based on priority 3. An ecological Danube region: the conservation and management of the natural and cultural heritage of the Danube region
(EN), Interreg NEXT Sea Basin Blacks (EN) | The Interreg NEXT Black Sea Basin programme includes countries from Armenia, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and regions from Bulgaria, Greece, Romania, Turkey and Ukraine. The programme aims to remain a platform where links between participating countries are strengthened and new ones are created and where regional actors come together and contribute to sustainable management of resources in benefit of local citizens. The programme is in synergy with the European Strategy for the Danube Region, the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation, the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions, the Assembly of European Regions, and, Convention on the protection of the Black Sea against pollution, EU-funded, regional and national programs, Interreg NEXT Romania-Moldova, Interreg NEXT :Romania-Ukraine, Romania-Bulgaria, Greece-Bulgaria, IPA Bulgaria-Turkey, Danube, National Recovery and Resilience Plan and Regional Programme – South Region – East
The Interreg project are synergistic with the measures provided for in Interreg NEXT Black Sea Basin Policy objective 1 – A more competitive and intelligent Europe by promoting innovative and intelligent economic transformation and regional ICT connectivity, Specific objective 1 – developing and improving research and innovation capacities and adopting advanced technologies,Policy objective 2 – A greener, resilient and low-carbon Europe, moving towards a zero-emission economy by promoting a clean and fair energy transition, green and blue investments, the circular economy, mitigation and adaptation to climate change, and, risk prevention and management and sustainable urban mobility,Specific objective 4 – promoting climate change adaptation and disaster risk prevention and resilience, based on ecosystem approaches,Specific objective 7 – strengthening protection and conservation of nature, biodiversity and green infrastructure, including in urban areas and reducing all forms of pollution
(EN), National Fund for Regional and Local Development RMD (EN) | The National Fund for Regional Development RMD is the main instrument for financing regional development projects and programmes, with priority being given to disadvantaged areas in development regions. The Fund is made up of annual allocations from the state budget, as a separate item for regional development policy, as well as from other sources. The amount of the Fund is 1% of the state budget revenue, approved by the State Budget Law for the respective year. Other financial resources from the public and private sectors at local, regional, national and international level, as well as resources provided by European Union assistance programmes, may be attracted to the Fund.with the help of the Fund will be financed 4 types of programs: 4. The National Program for Local Development „European Village”,2. National Program „European Village Express” 3.The project „Security of water supply and sanitation in Moldova” 4. Projects to improve hygiene and sanitation in primary, secondary and high school education institutions for the 2023 budget year providing small grants from the National Fund for regional and local development for the implementation of local development projects.
The activities provided by the 2 programs, Interreg and FNDRL, respectively those provided in this project, are aimed at regional and local development, increasing tourist attractiveness, developing economic infrastructure.
(EN), National Tourism Development Strategy 2019-2030 (EN) | The strategy helps citiencs to Understand where the sector is now in terms of tourism development and what they are
challenges and opportunities;Define a vision for the further development of the domain; To develop a ”” roadmap for achieving the set targets.This includes: it includes a quick analysis of the current state of the tourism industry in Romania, as well as the challenges and opportunities it faces in trying to develop this sector in sustainable way, over the next decade.
The strategy (Volume 2) deals with challenges and opportunities and focuses on three directions, playing the role of a sustainable tourism growth plan in Romania, with the following objectives: to further strengthen Romania's position as the main, first-class tourist destination, which can be visited all year round and which meets EU standards for the supply of products and services;to cherish the people, tradition, places, natural and cultural heritage of Romania;
to develop the visibility and reputation of Romania in the main international tourism markets.
The investment is meant to form a functional partnership and to promote a better interaction between the people and the communities living in these two border areas by organizing cultural activities. (EN), The Operational Health Programme (EN) | he Health Programme (PoS) is a multi-fund programme (funding of the ESF+ and ERDF), which follows the efforts of the state budget and local budgets in supporting the implementation of the National Health Strategy 2022-2030 by financing investments in both pre-hospital and hospital care, as well as in the resilience of the health system, mainly in: diagnosis and treatment of cancer, transplantation, control of communicable diseases (including healthcare-associated infections), the national transfusion system, etc.The program will support, also, interventions aimed at developing research and innovation solutions in the medical field and developing and using digital technologies to facilitate access to information and education. Health Programme, the first of its kind approved by the European Commission services, it addresses all levels of the health care system in order to respond in adequate time and in quality to the current needs for improving access to diagnostic and treatment services, and, but also the needs of primary and secondary prevention services. The Health Programme has 7 funding priorities that contribute to the achievement of two of the five policy objectives for the 2021-2027 programming period, respective POLICY OBJECTIVE 1 – „A More competitive and smarter Europe” and POLICY OBJECTIVE 4 –O More social and inclusive Europe”.The project financed by Interreg contributes to the same objectives UE as POS, by promoting and accessing of health services all over the country and contribute to the development of communities (EN), NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY „MOLDOVA EUROPEAN 2030” (EN) | National development strategy „Moldova European 2030” (SND) – national long-term strategic vision document, which indicates the directions of development of the country and which adapts the priorities, objectives, objectives, indicators and targets of international commitments assumed by the Republic of Moldova in the national context.
The NDS proposes a human-centered development vision, where man is the beneficiary, not the resource or instrument of development. The strategy will contribute to defining a series of priority interventions – regulators, institutional, budgetary, investment, educational, which will have a direct positive impact on the well-being and will capitalize on the potential of people at the entrepreneurial level, educational, cultural, productive.
The development goals set out in the NDS derive from the modern concept of quality of life and the major problems identified at national level, linking well-being aspirations directly with policies that will help achieve these 10 objectives.
The project responds to the same needs of NDS identification, namely Valuing heritage, traditions and cultural diversity, Developing and implementing policies to promote sustainable tourism and the creation of public-private partnerships, Reinforcing investment in infrastructure development
tourism, the digitalization of tourism supply and products, the creation and strengthening of a system of education, training, research, innovation of
cultural heritage and workforce development, including through the training of managers in the cultural and creative sector, Development and diversification national tourism product (agrotourism, ecotourism, rural tourism, wine tourism, and, gastronomic and cultural), strengthening the role of local communities and the involvement of the diaspora, Forming and strengthening tourist destinations, including through actions to promote, conserve and restore historical monuments. (EN)

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 329 779.91

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 296 801.91

Total EU funding (co-financing rate): 90.00%

Co-financing sources:

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

(bullets are inserted automatically and may be incorrectly placed)

Deliverables:

exhaustive inventory of the material cultural heritage
common cultural map
network in the field of tourism and culture
online promotion campaign through
social media - partially from the total campaign
online promotion campaign through
social media - partially from the total campaign
online promotion campaign through
social media - partially from the total campaign
online promotion campaign through
social media - partially from the total campaign
promotion campaign through direct interaction with the public
1 set of promotion materials
1 set of equipment
touristic circuits organised in RO for MD public
number of people selected for tourist circuits of LP1
number of people selected for tourist circuits of PP2
Services for production and multiplication of promotional materials for TOURISTIC TOUR
2 workshops
number of participants at workshop
best practice guide in cross-border promotion and social development
2 ONSITE CAMPAIGNS for disseminating the best practices guide (Both partners will be responsible.)
COMMON FESTIVAL
number of participants at festival
Project launch conferences - Information, communication and visibility of EU support and actions
Project ending conferences - Information, communication and visibility of EU support and actions
project webpage - Information, communication and visibility of EU support and actions
pages on social media FB&INSTA - Information, communication and visibility of EU support and actions
promotion CAMPAIGN - Information, communication and visibility of EU support and actions
1 reportage, distributed distributed to the local media in RO and MD
1 set of materials for Information, communication and visibility of EU support and actions
Development of a set of action plans in cross-border area between involved partners

Contribution to wider strategies and policies:

EUStrategyDanubeRegion The European Union Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR), the EU's second macro-regional strategy, is a joint initiative of Romania and Austria developed as a mechanism for cooperation between the states of the Danube region, aimed at economic and social development by strengthening the implementation of EU policies and legislation in the partner countries.Fourteen countries participate in the Danube Strategy: nine EU Member States (Austria, Romania, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Croatia, Germany - as a federal state and through the states of Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria, Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary) and five non-EU countries (Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, Republic of Moldova and Ukraine).The EUSDR was set up with the aim of intensifying cooperation between the countries of the Danube region. The strategy is structured on four major objectives (pillars), each objective (pillar) corresponding to specific areas of action, grouped into 11 Priority Areas (PA). Each Priority Area is coordinated by 2 states/lands in the region . For the project it s important Pillon 1.Connecting the Danube region, Promoting culture and tourism, direct contacts between people
SeaBasinStrategyBlackSea It was signed by the six states (Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania, Russia, Ukraine, Turkey) and the Republic of Moldova, with the support of the European Commission in 2019, along with the declaration of ownership by governments reflects the region's priorities in areas subsumed to the blue economy – maritime affairs, fisheries and aquaculture, research and innovation, connectivity, environmental protection, tourism, education, blue economy skills training and development. The Common Maritime Agenda for the Black Sea and the Strategic Agenda for Research and Innovation in the Black Sea Region are extremely important in the context of post-pandemic recovery. A COMMON MARITIME AGENDA FOR THE BLACK SEA provides a framework and guidance for voluntary implementation by representatives of public, private, academic and civil society in the Black Sea area, national and regional projects in the blue economy, as well as for attracting European funds and investments in the Black Sea region. With the adoption of the Common Maritime Agenda, the Black Sea joins other sea basins bordering the European Union that have opted for an integrated, coherent approach to developing the blue economy while keeping the sea as clean as possible. A stable, secure, resilient and prosperous Black Sea region is in the direct interest of its citizens and of the EU overall. The project, just like, Black Sea Strategysee education, science and innovation as the most important tool that can fully unlock the potential for blue growth in living resources, offshore renewable energy, tourism, culture, transport, seafloor hydrocarbons that underpin the blue economy of the region
Other Program INTERREG EUROPE 2021-2027- INTERREG EUROPE's ambition is to achieve the programme's single objective of better governance cooperation by Improving the implementation of regional development policies, including programmes under the Investment for Employment and Growth objective, by promoting exchange of experience, innovative approaches and capacity building in relation to the identification, dissemination and transfer of good practice among regional policy actors.The programme area covers the whole territory of the EU 27 as well as Norway and Switzerland, referred to as Partner States (PS) in this document and corresponding to 255 regions in total (242 regions at NUTS 2 level in the EU27, 6 regions in Norway and 7 regions in Switzerland. The programme contributes to all EU priorities and strives for better regional governance through capacity building: Smarter Europe,Greener Europe, More connected Europe,More social Europe, Europe closer to citizens,Better regional governance. The Interreg Europe programme, financed by the Cohesion policy’s European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), was therefore designed to support interregional learning among policy relevant organisations across Europe.This is a learning process which involves identifying, analysing, and transferring good practices with the aim of improving regional development policy instruments and ultimately delivering solutions that benefit all citizens.
The project contributes to the overall objective of Interreg, specially PO 4 - More social Europe, specific objectives Culture and tourism for economic development, social inclusion,and social innovation, A Europe closer to Citizens, (i) Sustainable integrated territorial development, culture, natural heritage,sustainable tourism, and security (urban areas) (ii) Sustainable integrated territorial development, culture, natural heritage, sustainable tourism, and security (other than urban)

Programme Common Output Indicator:

RCO 001 - Enterprises supported (of which: micro, small, medium, large), Measurement unit:
RCO 077 - Number of cultural and tourism sites supported, 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 084 - Organisations cooperating across borders after project completion, Measurement unit:
RCR 077 - Visitors of cultural and tourism sites supported, Measurement unit:
RCR 079 - Joint strategies and action plans taken up by organisations, Measurement unit:

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

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

Financing programme

2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-A NEXT Romania - Rep.Moldova

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

2025-08-22

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

78 / 78 (100%)

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

194 / 194 (100%)

Notes on the data

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