Integrated development of distinctive cultural and close-to-nature tourism in East planning and Blagoevgrad region

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

Date of latest update: 2025-10-01

Description

Description (EN):

The Programme document, Territorial Strategy and Strategy Analysis, have thoroughly identified the weaknesses and challenges the cross-border area is facing related to tourism development. Throughout the previous programming periods many projects were supported and thus improved the tourist infrastructure on both sides of the border. Besides the financed infrastructure works, a fair percentage of activities were aimed at improving the capabilities of the local population in topics related to tourism, as well as plentiful documents were elaborated in which the situation of the target area was analysed, and action plans and solutions were offered to improve the starting point. But none of these were focusing on the cross-border region as a target. The project proposal will add value to the current situation through improvement with minimal interventions and the creation of several thematic tourist packages that will be appealing to every future visitor. The creation of these packages will help to overcome the undeveloped tourist product as a whole, and finally will produce a sustainable network of institutions and companies for services and offers in tourism. Furthermore, the project will propose adequate investments for improving the quality, labour market relevance, and inclusiveness of education and training, hence addressing income gap, the relatively high poverty risk, social exclusion and inequalities. This project will implement several different activities that will address these identified weaknesses and challenges and contribute in decreasing their impact, strengthening the already established networks, adding value to the existing tourist offers, and jointly develop one cross-border all-season tourist offer which will be piloted at the end of the project. Tourism is a vital economic sector for both Bulgaria and North Macedonia. By collaborating and promoting joint tourism offerings, they can attract more international visitors and increase tourist spending. This influx of foreign currency can stimulate local economies, create jobs, and contribute to overall economic growth. Cross-border cooperation allows the partners to pool their resources, knowledge, and expertise, maximizing the potential of the shared assets for joint tourism development. This collaborative approach can lead to a more diverse and appealing tourism offering, attracting a broader range of visitors and generating more significant economic benefits. By collaborating across borders, the regions will leverage their individual strengths to create a more comprehensive and attractive tourism product, complement each other's tourism products in terms of unique attractions, cultural experiences, and historical sites that, when combined, create diverse and attractive all-season tour packages for tourists, which will extend tourists' stays and encourage them to explore both countries. With all project partner organizations working together, the target cross-border region will become a more competitive tourism destination in the international market. create a stronger presence and attract a larger share of global tourists who might be interested in visiting the cross-border region. To overcome the challenges of the cross-border area, the project will address the local and regional authorities, SMEs, NGOs, local population, and the tourists as target groups, and implement several activities: - beside the info days for presenting the expected outcomes, and for publishing the project’s results, 2 other events will be organized to promote the infrastructure works supported, and to comply with the Youth horizontal principle. Also, a tour with interested travel agencies will be organized to pilot the developed all-season integrated tourist offer. - small-scale investments that will contribute to improve the cultural experience, enhance the potential of natural resources, and upscale the tourist attractions. - development of a digital smart solution for self-guided tour and a video for better visual presentation of the all-season integrated tourist offer; - create visual identities and marketing management plan for sustainable development of the tourist offer and the regional tourist destination; - upscaling the human resources capacity in market economy, digital literacy and technology in tourism, and tourism destination management and certification. At the end of the implementation period, the project will make the following results: - reduced seasonality and create a steady flow of tourists; - institutional collaboration for achieving common goals; - enhanced the region's attractiveness to tourists and provide better amenities and experiences for visitors; - better trained tourism professionals; - opened possibilities for new job creation through development of (complementary) tourist services; - long-term preservation of the area's assets; - integration of smart solutions that enhances the overall tourist experience.

Actual Achievements (EN):

After contract signing, all partners performed the necessary activities to complete the administrative procedures for the successful setting up of the project in terms of appointing the project teams and opening a separate project bank account. All project partner prepared the procurement plans in due time, all approved by the Joint Secretariat. The Macedonian beneficiaries, after consultations with national competent authorities, made modifications to the approved procurements plans, in order to better comply with the PRAG thresholds. Part of the Bulgarians beneficiaries were forced to delay the submission of their procurements plans due to municipal budget approval procedures. Furthermore, a communication strategy was developed by the Lead partner according to the provisions of the PIM. PP3 launched a procurement investment procedure and successfully concluded a contract, putting all work activities in progress. PP7 also has signed a service contract with an expert for the preparation of tender documentation, and used the prepared tender dossier to invite tenderers to submit offers. Two requests for advance payment were submitted to the Managing Authority, and the respective portions of the amounts were transferred to the project partners. The communication of the whole project team is done on a weekly basis, providing the members important information regarding the project implementation and discussing the project activities and their manner of implementation.

Project outputs: Created joint CB tourist offer(EN)
Built cycling infrastructure(EN)
Reconstructed tourist and cultural sites(EN)
Increased number of tourists(EN)
Cross-border self-guided tour – digital product(EN)

Thematic information

Cultural heritage and arts Tourism Social inclusion and equal opportunities

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: 083 Cycling infrastructure

Partners (7)

Lead Partner: Центар за развој на Источен плански регион

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 892622519

Partner’s ID if not PIC: МК4029008502164 | 6362800 | National registration code (EN)

Address: Vancho Prke, 2000 Shtip, North Macedonia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Regional public authority

Website: http://www.eastregion.mk

Total budget: EUR 301 222.41

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 216 850.01

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 72.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 84 372.40

Сдружение Съвремие

Name: Сдружение Съвремие

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 101670385 | National registration code (EN)

Address: Kiril i Metodiy , 2800 Sandanski, Bulgaria

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Website: http://www.savremie.org

Total budget: EUR 49 999.28

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 42 499.38

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 85.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 7 499.90

Contractors:

Name: Yordanka Noneva-Zlatkova
VAT registration or tax identification number: 180589316

Туристическо дружество „Момини двори“

Name: Туристическо дружество „Момини двори“

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 101619978 | National registration code (EN)

Address: Solun, 2900 Gotse Delchev, Bulgaria

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Total budget: EUR 15 680.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 13 328.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 85.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 2 352.00

Сдружение на предприемачите регион Гоце Делчев

Name: Сдружение на предприемачите регион Гоце Делчев

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 101723507 | National registration code (EN)

Address: Iliya Pramatarski , 2900 Gotse Delchev, Bulgaria

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Business support organisation

Website: http://www.aegdr.org

Total budget: EUR 16 785.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 14 267.25

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 85.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 2 517.75

Община Сандански

Name: Община Сандански

Partner’s ID if not PIC: BG000024955 | 000024955 | National registration code (EN)

Address: Svoboda Blvd., 2800 Sandanski, Bulgaria

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: http://www.sandanski.bg

Total budget: EUR 192 768.90

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 163 853.56

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 85.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 28 915.34

Община Гоце Делчев

Name: Община Гоце Делчев

Partner’s ID if not PIC: BG000024745 | 000024745 | National registration code (EN)

Address: Tsaritsa Yoanna, 2900 Gotse Delchev, Bulgaria

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: http://www.gotsedelchev.bg

Total budget: EUR 218 101.08

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 143 270.59

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 66.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 74 830.49

Општина Штип

Name: Општина Штип

Partner’s ID if not PIC: MK4029005130584 | 6005888 | Natonal registration code (EN)

Address: Vasil Glavinov, 2000 Shtip, North Macedonia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

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

Total budget: EUR 259 499.53

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 192 911.95

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 74.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 66 587.58

Partners map

Partners and Projects info

Association SAVREMIE

Integrated development of distinctive cultural and close-to-nature tourism in East planning and Blagoevgrad region

Partners and Projects info

Tourist Association "Momini Dvori"

Integrated development of distinctive cultural and close-to-nature tourism in East planning and Blagoevgrad region

Partners and Projects info

Association of entrepreneurs Gotse Delchev region

Integrated development of distinctive cultural and close-to-nature tourism in East planning and Blagoevgrad region

Partners and Projects info

Municipality of Sandanski

Integrated development of distinctive cultural and close-to-nature tourism in East planning and Blagoevgrad region

Partners and Projects info

Municipality of Gotse Delchev

Integrated development of distinctive cultural and close-to-nature tourism in East planning and Blagoevgrad region

Partners and Projects info

Municipality of Shtip

Integrated development of distinctive cultural and close-to-nature tourism in East planning and Blagoevgrad region

Partners and Projects info

Centre for development of East planning region

Integrated development of distinctive cultural and close-to-nature tourism in East planning and Blagoevgrad region

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Project name (EN): Integrated development of distinctive cultural and close-to-nature tourism in East planning and Blagoevgrad region

Project acronym: SERENE

Project ID: BGMK0200046

Project start date: 2025-04-03

Project end date: 2027-04-02

Project status: ongoing

Relevant linked projects:

Our common past - road to joint future (EN) | , Cultural bridge through the centuries (EN) | , Promotion and preservation of the cultural and historical heritage in the cross-border region
Gotse Delchev-Prosochani (EN) | , Strengthening the competitiveness and extroversion of cross-border firms through the implementation of innovative and specialized actions (EN) | , Green trail for new job opportunities (EN) | , Development of a common branding scheme for the promotion of organic local products of the cross-border region Bio-Brand (EN) |

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 1 054 056.20

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 786 980.74

Total EU funding (co-financing rate): 74.66%

Co-financing sources:

IPA/IPA II/IPA III: Amount, EUR 786 980.74. Co-financing rate, 74.66%.

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

(bullets are inserted automatically and may be incorrectly placed)

Infrastructure investments:

I2.1 - Reconstruction of mountain hut Crn Vrv - EUR 88 632.20 - country: Severna Makedonija (MK), town: Probishtip, street: N.A., N.A., postal_code: 2210, Severna Makedonija (MK00), Istočen (MK002)
I2.2 - Establishing a recreation complex around Gradche - EUR 132 687.56 - country: Severna Makedonija (MK), town: Kochani, street: N/A, N/A, postal_code: 2300, Severna Makedonija (MK00), Istočen (MK002)
I2.3 - Reconstruction of accommodation in Spa Kezhovica - EUR 79 797.00 - country: Severna Makedonija (MK), town: Shtip, street: Kezhovica, N/A, postal_code: 2000, Severna Makedonija (MK00), Istočen (MK002)
I2.4 - Reconstruction of property no. 22 in Novo Selo - EUR 133 145.00 - country: Severna Makedonija (MK), town: Shtip, street: Nikola Karev , 22, postal_code: 2000, Severna Makedonija (MK00), Istočen (MK002)
I2.5 - Creating an open-air museum in L'dzi - EUR 30 063.00 - country: Severna Makedonija (MK), town: Shtip, street: Novo Selo, N/A, postal_code: 2000, Severna Makedonija (MK00), Istočen (MK002)
I2.8 - Modernization of a summer cultural theatre - EUR 178 190.00 - country: Bulgaria (BG), town: Sandanski, street: Park Zone – Town Park of Sandanski , N/A, postal_code: 2900, Yugozapaden (BG41), Blagoevgrad (BG413)

Deliverables:

Two Info event reports
Festival report
Scout camp report
Fam tour report
Report from the festival
Info event report
Report on organised trainings
Final report on completed work
Final report on completed work
Final report on completed work
Final report on completed work
Final report on completed work
Final report on completed work
Final report on completed work
Final report on completed work
Joint cross-border video for integrated all-season tourist offer
Marked eco paths
Developed self-guided tour
Developed analysis for visual identity of EPR
Created visual identity of Sandanski and Gotse Delchev
Developed joint marketing management plan

Contribution to wider strategies and policies:

Other Strategy for balanced regional development 2021-2023 (Republic of North Macedonia)
The project is in line with SO2, Priority 2.6, and will assist in gradually overcoming the infrastructural disparities between the planning regions in culture, sports and recreation. The aim is to increase the attractiveness of the East planning region and thus keep the population in their place of residence.
Other Programme for development of the East planning region 2021-2026 (Republic of North Macedonia)
The project will contribute to SO5 – Consolidation of the East planning region as an attractive tourist destination, through the capacity building trainings related to tourism development, the improvement of tourism infrastructure, and the creation and promotion of an integrated all-season cross-border tourist offer.
Other Integrated territorial strategy for the development of the South-West region 2021-2027 (Republic of Bulgaria)
Strategic priority 1: Specific objective 1.2 Support for 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.

Deliverable (other than infrastructural investment) areas:

Bulgaria (BG), Gotse Delchev - village of Mosomishte, 2920
Bulgaria (BG), Gotse Delchev, Hristo Botev, 26, 2900

Programme Common Output Indicator:

RCO 084 - Pilot actions developed jointly and implemented in projects, Measurement unit:
RCO 116 - Jointly developed solutions, Measurement unit:
RCO 058 - Dedicated cycling infrastructure supported, 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 064 - Annual users of dedicated cycling infrastructure, Measurement unit:
RCR 077 - Visitors of cultural and tourism sites supported, Measurement unit:

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%)

Notes on the data

Languages

Contact Form

Integrated development of distinctive cultural and close-to-nature tourism in East planning and Blagoevgrad region

Description

Thematic information

Partners (7)

Partners map

Summary

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

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

Disclaimer