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.
Read more 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.
After finalizing the administrative procedures for setting up the separate project bank account, LP began with the framework for the public procurement. As a result of consultation with the national authorities over the PRAG regulations, LP amended the project procurement plan in order to satisfy all provisions in the PRAG and the PIM. This, however, has contributed to unforeseen delays in the launching of the procedures, which has in turn influenced the postponement of a previously scheduled activity. As of the end of the reporting period, all procurement procedures have concluded, and it is expected that by the end of the month, contracts with the contractors will be concluded. As for the postponement of the project info day, the activity will be organized by the end of November at the latest, awaiting approval by the competent authorities due to the upcoming local elections in the country.
PP2 completed a tender procedure for the selection of the procurement expert, and a contract has been signed with the selected consultant. Local open tender dossier for work has been formulated, and the tender has been announced on 25.08.2025
In this reporting period, PP3 concluded a contract for the production of advertising materials, which were delivered in due time.
During this reporting period, PP4 initiated the construction and installation works at the Summer Theater in the town of Sandanski.
Within the second reporting period, PP7 conducted and finalized three tender procedures in accordance with the budget and the procurement plan. The contracts with the subcontractors have been concluded, and the advance payments have been made. Also, PP7 prepared a publication for the Summer Cultural Theatre renovation in Sandanski and published it on the website of the Association SAVREMIE and in the info portals www.balkanite.net and https://komentari.bg.
After finalizing the administrative procedures for setting up the separate project bank account, LP began with the framework for the public procurement. As a result of consultation with the national authorities over the PRAG regulations, LP amended the project procurement plan in order to satisfy all provisions in the PRAG and the PIM. This, however, has contributed to unforeseen delays in the launching of the procedures, which has in turn influenced the postponement of a previously scheduled activity. As of the end of the reporting period, all procurement procedures have concluded, and it is expected that by the end of the month, contracts with the contractors will be concluded. As for the postponement of the project info day, the activity will be organized by the end of November at the latest, awaiting approval by the competent authorities due to the upcoming local elections in the country.
PP2 completed a tender procedure for the selection of the procurement expert, and a contract has been signed with the selected consultant. Local open tender dossier for work has been formulated, and the tender has been announced on 25.08.2025
In this reporting period, PP3 concluded a contract for the production of advertising materials, which were delivered in due time.
During this reporting period, PP4 initiated the construction and installation works at the Summer Theater in the town of Sandanski.
Within the second reporting period, PP7 conducted and finalized three tender procedures in accordance with the budget and the procurement plan. The contracts with the subcontractors have been concluded, and the advance payments have been made. Also, PP7 prepared a publication for the Summer Cultural Theatre renovation in Sandanski and published it on the website of the Association SAVREMIE and in the info portals www.balkanite.net and https://komentari.bg.
In this reporting period LP evaluated the launched procedure for works. Even though the procedure was launched in 2 lots, only one contract was concluded for lot 1. The procedure for lot 2 was cancelled due to receiving only one offer that exceeded the available funds. The contract was concluded on 10.11.2025, and the official commencement of the work activities was on 18.11.2025. The contractor informed the LP that is opting out of the possibility for an advance payment. Additionally, after publishing the cancellation notice, the procedure for the second investment activity was relaunched, and only one offer was received. After the evaluation process concluded, a decision for cancellation of the procedure was adopted on 22.12.2025 due to the same reason i.e. the only received offer exceeded the available funds.
In this reporting period, the LP finished the launched service procedure, and a single contractor was selected for the launched procedure in 3 lots: organization of events, external expertise and preparation of promo materials.
The LP participated in the Opening project info day that took place in the Municipal building of Municipality of Gotse Delchev, on 05.12.2025. Alongside the project team, there were also present the Mayor of PP2, and the two mayors whose municipalities are the end beneficiaries of the investment activities of LP: Municipality of Probishtip and Municipality of Kochani.
Additionally, LP hosted the second Opening project info day that took place on 19.12.2025 in Shtip. Only the representatives of PP3 and PP5 were present at the event, and among the speakers were the Minister of Local Self-Government and the Deputy Minister of European Affairs. Around 60 participants were present at the event to follow the presentation of the project and got informed about the expected results, the project activities and other project related information.
PP2 launced a Local open tender for the work activities which has been announced on 25.08.2025, and the outcome of the procedure for both lots has been cancelled. PP2 re-announced the tender procedure on 25.11.2025.
PP3 organized the first project opening info day that took place in the Municipal building of Municipality of Gotse Delchev, on 05.12.2025. Alongside the project team, there were also present the Mayor of PP2, and the two mayors whose municipalities are the end beneficiaries of the investment activities of LP: Municipality of Probishtip and Municipality of Kochani, as well as representatives of PP4, PP6 and PP7.
PP4 during the reporting period officially completed the partial reconstruction of the Summer Theater in Sandanski. The site was issued with a Protocol for establishing the suitability for use of construction (Protocol No. 16) on 14.11.2025, after which a Permit for Use No. DK-07-Bl-221/18.11.2025 was issued.
During the third reporting period, PP7 conducted active communication with the selected contractors of the three service contracts for the implementation of services within the project. Discussing all details with external experts and contractors during the preparation and implementation of services and activities under the project contracts is extremely important for achieving high-quality final results and avoiding any misunderstandings regarding the expected outcomes. Therefore, the PP7 team focused its efforts primarily in this direction.
In this reporting period LP evaluated the launched procedure for works. Even though the procedure was launched in 2 lots, only one contract was concluded for lot 1. The procedure for lot 2 was cancelled due to receiving only one offer that exceeded the available funds. The contract was concluded on 10.11.2025, and the official commencement of the work activities was on 18.11.2025. The contractor informed the LP that is opting out of the possibility for an advance payment. Additionally, after publishing the cancellation notice, the procedure for the second investment activity was relaunched, and only one offer was received. After the evaluation process concluded, a decision for cancellation of the procedure was adopted on 22.12.2025 due to the same reason i.e. the only received offer exceeded the available funds.
In this reporting period, the LP finished the launched service procedure, and a single contractor was selected for the launched procedure in 3 lots: organization of events, external expertise and preparation of promo materials.
The LP participated in the Opening project info day that took place in the Municipal building of Municipality of Gotse Delchev, on 05.12.2025. Alongside the project team, there were also present the Mayor of PP2, and the two mayors whose municipalities are the end beneficiaries of the investment activities of LP: Municipality of Probishtip and Municipality of Kochani.
Additionally, LP hosted the second Opening project info day that took place on 19.12.2025 in Shtip. Only the representatives of PP3 and PP5 were present at the event, and among the speakers were the Minister of Local Self-Government and the Deputy Minister of European Affairs. Around 60 participants were present at the event to follow the presentation of the project and got informed about the expected results, the project activities and other project related information.
PP2 launched a Local open tender for the work activities which has been announced on 25.08.2025, and the outcome of the procedure for both lots has been cancelled. PP2 re-announced the tender procedure on 25.11.2025.
PP3 organized the first project opening info day that took place in the Municipal building of Municipality of Gotse Delchev, on 05.12.2025. Alongside the project team, there were also present the Mayor of PP2, and the two mayors whose municipalities are the end beneficiaries of the investment activities of LP: Municipality of Probishtip and Municipality of Kochani, as well as representatives of PP4, PP6 and PP7.
PP4 during the reporting period officially completed the partial reconstruction of the Summer Theater in Sandanski. The site was issued with a Protocol for establishing the suitability for use of construction (Protocol No. 16) on 14.11.2025, after which a Permit for Use No. DK-07-Bl-221/18.11.2025 was issued.
During the third reporting period, PP7 conducted active communication with the selected contractors of the three service contracts for the implementation of services within the project. Discussing all details with external experts and contractors during the preparation and implementation of services and activities under the project contracts is extremely important for achieving high-quality final results and avoiding any misunderstandings regarding the expected outcomes. Therefore, the PP7 team focused its efforts primarily in this direction.
During this reporting period, LP initiated steps to address the issue of being unable to conclude a contract for the second work activities. LP launched two tender procedures but was unsuccessful, with the director adopting a decision to cancel the procedure due to having received offers that exceeded the available budget. Several meetings were held with the Municipality of Kochani, where the investment activities are foreseen to take place, in order to find a solution to the problem. The Bill of Quantity is currently being used to analyze the market and determine whether there is a real need for more reactive measures.
Furthermore, meetings were organized with the contractor and his expert team that will work on the preparation of the Strategy for the visual identity of the East planning region, as well as the other activities within their contract: training for tourism professionals, mapping and digitisation of eco-tourist routes, and the development of promotional videos. The groundwork was put in place for the activities that are due to happen until the end of the year, with feedback expected by the expert team on the timeframe for delivery of the results, as well as draft content for the strategy and draft scenario for the videos.
For PP2, the re-launched tender procedures for works for Conservation, Restoration and Reconstruction of Property No. 22 and Reconstruction of an Accommodation Facility in Banja Kezovica and Creation of an Open-Air Museum at the Mineral Water Spring in Shtip were also unsuccessful, and a decision for cancellation had to be adopted because the submitted offers exceeded the budget.
PP3 has started with the preparations for activity 1.5 organizing the summer festival "Water and Light". Contracts have been signed for the purchase of 12 women's and 7 men's Pirin traditional costumes. Gotse Delchev Municipality started preparations for the implementation of activity 2.6.1 Improving tourism conditions in Toplitsata by preparing a technical specification for conducting a tender procedure.
PP4 during the reporting period began the preparation of the Summer Cultural Festival, which is to be held this year in the fully reconstructed summer theatre.
and to the infrastructure and tourism-site interventions of the partnership.
Despite the fact that no final outputs were completed in this reporting period, the work carried out by PP7 contributed to the overall project implementation by ensuring readiness for the next stages of delivery. The activities undertaken supported the coordination logic among partners and prepared the basis for future outputs and deliverables, especially those related to project visibility, promotion of the cross-border tourism offer, destination marketing, and public presentation of project results. In this sense, PP7’s progress during the period contributed to the smooth continuation of both its own activities and the complementary activities of the other partners.
As of 02.04.2026, PP7 has no overdue activities or deliverables. According to the timeline set in the application form, Activity 1.7, Activity 3.5, and Activity 3.6 are currently under implementation, while the respective deliverables D.1.7.1, D.3.5.1, and D.3.6.1 are scheduled for later reporting periods. In addition, D.3.1.1 and Activity 1.6 are planned for an even later stage of the project. Therefore, as of the current reporting period, there are no missed deadlines either under the application form or under the signed contracts with the contractors. All activities are being implemented in line with the approved schedule and the agreed contractual deadlines.
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