CULTURAL AREA - CULTURAL heritage community and AttRactive all-sEAson tourism

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

Date of latest update: 2026-01-27

Description

Description (EN):

The challenge for the cross-border region is to use the connectivity of the CULTURAL AREA, to generate integrated actions, to exchange good practices and to develop a sustainable, attractive, all-season, and accessible tourism and increase in employment in the tourism sector. The main objectives are (1) to raise the visibility, strengthen and upscale the good practices for the cooperation between the municipalities of Kyustendil, Dupnitsa, Kriva Palanka and Kratovo; (2) to use the cultural and natural heritage as a strategic factor for the sustainable development of tourism, by developing/upscaling cultural routes, building a common tourist product and increasing the employment in the tourism sector; (3) to foster integrated development through tourism marketing approaches; (4) to revitalize the urban and peri urban area through linking projects/events at cultural and natural heritage sites, as well as using the opportunities of the cultural and creative industries; (5) to conserve cultural heritage sites and implement digital technologies for virtualization (holograms/ 3D models/ VR and AR/gamification/ QR/ mobile applications/ digital platform with common cultural routes and a common cultural calendar/ online catalog on the connecting theme "Old houses tell stories") and for enriching the visitor experience and attract different audiences; (5) to use cultural heritage sites as spaces for culture as open museum spaces, open-air museum, co-working spaces as well as for cultural events will attract various tourists and stakeholders. The main initiatives that will show the joint efforts of the partner municipalities (in both renovated places or newly built under the project) are: (1) a three-day festival by the theme of “Everyday life of the region in the 19th century”; (2) connecting the specifics of local Balkan traditions and European influences and cultural traces on everyday life though the “A la franga” initiative – seen as a door to Europe, architecture, art decoration and values, old technologies, fashion, lifestyle, the path of modernity – commerce, education, etc.); (3) the Audience Monitoring Laboratory – a smart system solution for monitoring the visitors interest in the partners` museums and gathering data for culture monitoring purposes. The public importance of culture and heritage implies a shared responsibility not only regarding the preservation of cultural heritage, its memory, its socialization, and management, through its inclusion in the life of the community. Multisectoral interaction and the role of the local community, authorities, and institutions are of key importance not only for the implementation of initiatives aimed at the development of the cross-border region but also of particular importance for the sustainability of the results.

Actual Achievements (EN):

The "CULTURAL AREA" project is advancing in accordance with the pre-approved work plan, effectively converting cultural assets into a catalyst for sustainable tourism. All partners—RHM Kyustendil (Lead Partner), History Museum-Dupnitsa, City Museum-Kriva Palanka, and Peoniya Association-Kratovo—are collaborating to realise the common objective of enhancing the visibility and appeal of the region. Significant Accomplishments to Date: Efficient management and communication are fundamental to this advancement. Project teams, comprising representatives from each partner, have been formed and designated, and efficient coordination and communication channels, including a shared cloud workspace (https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1IN2tjOc2m4EEbYiSgpo9CZDuFKrx5mnK), email, and Viber groups, have been established. Two significant meetings occurred: a virtual meeting on June 16, 2025, and a face-to-face meeting on July 4, 2025, during which a collective vision was established and protocols were ratified. A Communication Strategy has been established, and the inaugural press conference on July 4, 2025, in Kyustendil garnered media attention, enhancing collaboration among partners. Additionally, a plan for tender procedures for each partner has been prepared and sanctioned. The proactive use of cultural heritage as a tourism asset commenced with the implementation of Work Package 1 (Activities 1.1, 1.2). Researchers have been designated for the subjects "European Influences on Balkan Cultural Heritage in the 19th Century" and "Promotion of a Tourist Destination." A database model has been created to organise the gathered information, accompanied by criteria for characterising diverse objects within the cross-border region to uncover the tourism potential of the cultural area. These initiatives establish the groundwork for developing an integrated "tourism product" cultural area. Field, documentary, and archival research in the regions of Kyustendil, Dupnitsa, Kriva Palanka, and Kratovo, combined with the amassed data on immovable objects, facilitates the identification of a representative sample of objects designated for 3D architectural scanning in a subsequent phase of the project. Digitisation via 3D scanning is essential for the forthcoming "Old Houses Tell Stories" catalogue, which will be created as part of the Work Package 3 activities. Investments in infrastructure and digitalisation are now in progress. A public procurement process has begun for the revitalisation and restoration of the "Emfiedzhieva House" Museum in Kyustendil. The City Museum-Kriva Palanka is now compiling tender documents for the revitalisation of additional museum rooms, a process that will extend into the following reporting period—Period 2. During this reporting period, the CULTURAL AREA project saw significant progress, both in the research part under Work Package 1 and in the investment projects, specifically in launching the main investment. TThe lead partner, RHM-Kyustendil, successfully finalised the public procurement procedure and selected a contractor for the revitalisation of Emfiеdzieva House. TThis stage is the most critical, as it guarantees the preservation and transformation of the historical site. The investment projects at the sites in Kyustendil and Kriva Palanka are the core of the Cultural Area Conceptual Project and provide the necessary basis for the execution of subsequent activities and the realisation of the set goals. AAt the heart of the project is extensive research activity (Work Package 1), which has already accumulated the main data for all four municipalities in the cross-border region. TPartners have carried out corresponding thematic analyses. The teams collected and analysed a vast amount of information about tangible and intangible cultural heritage in all participating municipalities (Kyustendil, Dupnitsa, Kriva Palanka, and Kratovo). This analysis established the thematic core of the project. The main thematic lines for work in the following stages are being outlined to formulate conclusions and propose concrete solutions for the integrated tourist product, CULTURAL AREA. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1hpWkI2YwxvHJmXYORWp044g_YRAwHHhT/edit?gid=162816134#gid=162816134 We are shaping the themes for several cultural routes and will develop them in the next stage. TThe foundations for building the digital products are being established, and the objects for surveying that will be included in the online catalogue "Old Town Houses Tell Stories" have been identified. TThe partners identified key Revival-era and post-Liberation buildings that would undergo architectural surveying. The "Living Traditions" Route: Local crafts, customs, food, and festivals have been documented and will be integrated into the tourist products. The realisation of the investment project at Emfiedzhieva House in Kyustendil has begun. A press conference was held to launch the construction activities and present the project. A public procurement procedure for the construction works in Kriva Palanka has been initiated. While conducting the research, the partners made swift progress in preparing the digital tools and communication strategies. PP2 (Dupnitsa) initiated key contracts for architectural surveying, as well as for visual identity and advertising materials. The partners discussed logo options and chose a logo for "CULTURAL AREA" based on the geometric elements from the Emfiedzhieva House ceiling—a symbol of cultural connectivity in the region. Architectural surveys of the selected sites in Dupnitsa have begun, which is direct preparation for the creation of the online catalogue. Filming of the sites for the digital products and workshop materials is commencing. Each of the partners held meetings among the research teams engaged in Work Package 1. The database describing the cultural heritage sites of the cross-border region is now complete. Basic thematic analyses have been conducted for each partner based on this data, and a detailed analysis for the CULTURAL AREA is forthcoming. A joint online meeting of the partners was held to discuss the progress of project activities. In summary, the added value of the cooperation lies in the fact that the teams are not just collecting data. Based on this information and with the involvement of external expertise, a unified marketing strategy has been developed to reach a wide audience and promote tourism in the region. The project is successfully and gradually transitioning from the planning phase to the execution and physical transformation phases.

Project outputs: Integrated "tourism product" CULTURAL AREA (EN)
Tourist and cultural sites supported (EN)
Population covered by projects in the framework of Marketing strategy(EN)
“Laboratory" for audience monitoring(EN)

Thematic information

Cultural heritage and arts Tourism Community integration and common identity

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 (4)

Lead Partner: Регионален исторически музей - Кюстендил

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 000252994

Address: Bulgaria blvd, 253 Kyustendil , Bulgaria

Legal status: public

Organisation type: N.a.

Website: http://www.kyustendilmuseum.primasoft.bg/bg/index.php

Total budget: EUR 474 415.74

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 403 253.37

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 85.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 71 162.37

Contractors:

Name: Stivo X EOOD
VAT registration or tax identification number: 130530646

Здружение ПЕОНИЈА Кратово

Name: Здружение ПЕОНИЈА Кратово

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 4014994100802 | 5557259

Address: vilage Turalevo , 1360 Kratovo, North Macedonia

Department address: village Turalevo, 1333 Kratovo, North Macedonia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Total budget: EUR 127 443.39

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 108 326.88

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 85.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 19 116.51

ЛУ Градски Музеј Крива Паланка

Name: ЛУ Градски Музеј Крива Паланка

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 914102490

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 4015007106060 | 6188109

Address: St Yoakim Osogovski street, 1330 Kriva Palanka, North Macedonia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Total budget: EUR 326 512.39

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 277 535.53

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 85.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 48 976.86

Исторически музей - Дупница

Name: Исторически музей - Дупница

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 000253007

Address: Ivan Vazov str., 2600 Dupnitsa, Bulgaria

Legal status: public

Organisation type: National public authority

Total budget: EUR 56 498.49

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 48 023.71

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 85.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 8 474.78

Partners map

Partners and Projects info

Association PEONIYA Kratovo

CULTURAL AREA - CULTURAL heritage community and AttRactive all-sEAson tourism

Partners and Projects info

City Museum of Kriva Palanka

CULTURAL AREA - CULTURAL heritage community and AttRactive all-sEAson tourism

Partners and Projects info

Historical Museum - Dupnitsa

CULTURAL AREA - CULTURAL heritage community and AttRactive all-sEAson tourism

Partners and Projects info

Regional Historical Museum - Kyustendil

CULTURAL AREA - CULTURAL heritage community and AttRactive all-sEAson tourism

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Project name (EN): CULTURAL AREA - CULTURAL heritage community and AttRactive all-sEAson tourism

Project acronym: CULTURAL AREA

Project ID: BGMK0200027

Project start date: 2025-04-23

Project end date: 2027-04-22

Project status: ongoing

Relevant linked projects:

Developing an Integrated Tourist Product Based on a Region's Cultural Connectivity (EN) | The partners has developed and implemented several international projects for the preservation and socialization of real cultural values, assessment of the potential and popularization of cultural heritage, development of cultural and natural routes (Cross-Border Region of Bulgaria and Serbia, Bulgaria - Serbia IPA Cross-Border Programme, Budget Line №2007CB16IPO006-2011-2 Dupnitsa-Kriva Palanka).
Collaborative efforts in tourism and cultural heritage have resulted in the creation of digital archives, tourist information, and ethnographic exhibitions.
"The mountains lend their hands" under the PHARE CBC Program for equipping a tourist information center, creating a detailed profile of the economic situation and opportunities for the development of tourism in the municipalities of Dupnitsa-Kriva Palanka-Kochani-Rila; CB006.2.21.072 "Light from the past", co-financed through Interreg IPA CBC Bulgaria – Republic of North Macedonia, 2014-2020. An ethnographic exhibition "People and houses. Urban way of life from the first half of the 20th century" and Digital Center for digitization of museum archives and movable cultural heritage.
Leveraging the existing database of digital archives, tourist information, and other resources, we will build upon the achievements of previous projects. New and innovative approaches will be developed for the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage. (EN), Digital Tools for Promoting Cultural Heritage and Developing the Region as a Tourist Destination through Cultural and Natural Heritage (EN) | The project partners possess extensive experience in executing projects centered on the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage. They boast an impressive portfolio of international projects, including joint ventures and initiatives involving cross-border collaboration (Section B. 1.6.). Notably, the partners' prior projects have encompassed the utilization of digital tools to enhance the dissemination of cultural heritage. (EN), Working with youth audiences (EN) | Expanding access to cultural heritage and attracting attention to cultural heritage-based tourism by reaching a wide audience. Working with youth audiences. Young people will be engaged in the project, fostering cultural exchange.
Peoniya Association has experience with projects involving young people in activities related to cultural and natural heritage.
The project will build on the achievements of the previous project "Equal with nature"(Interreg-IPA Cross-border cooperation Bulgaria-Serbia 2 014–2020), and the current initiative will utilize the base in Slokoshtitsa for a three-day eco-training for children. (Work package 4. Activity 4.5). Kyustendil Municipality, the lead organization for this completed project, has expressed its willingness to cooperate.
This initiative will also draw on the expertise of Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski", which will collaborate by involving specialists and providing logistical support, if necessary. The institution and the external experts involved from it have a number of completed projects focused on the youth audience and building fruitful interaction between educational and cultural institutions through cultural heritage. (EN), Social inclusion of persons with disabilities (EN) | This initiative will draw upon the Kriva Palanka Town Museum's expertise in fostering social inclusion within a community that shares a cultural heritage with persons with disabilities.
The Kriva Palanka Town Museum's proven track record of promoting social inclusion. (City Museum of Kriva Palanka is a partner: "Listen and Learn KrivaPalanka' Funded by USAID: Audio-guided walking tour in six (6) languages). Best practices will be exchanged with the other project partners. In addition, building on the willingness to support expressed by Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski", external experts from the Faculty of Education and Arts, with a profile in Special Education, will be involved in the activities related to expanding access to cultural heritage-based tourism for people in a disadvantaged position. (EN),
Cultural Route Development (EN) | All four institutions have a proven track record of working on international projects and building collaborative networks. They have successfully implemented cultural and natural routes, interactive educational activities, and have exchanged best practices.
Partners from Dupnitsa and Kriva Palanka have experience with a completed project, part of the results of which are related to the development of cultural and natural routes ("Under one sky", Cross-Border Region of Bulgaria and Serbia, Bulgaria - Serbia IPA Cross-Border Programme, Budget Line №2007CB16IPO006-2011-2; Filming of cultural and historical sites in the cross-border region Dupnitsa-Kriva Palanka, which have been uploaded to GIS).
Building upon the achievements of the CULTURAL AREA project, this initiative will further expand the scope of activities. In addition to the exchange of best practices, external experts from Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski" will be involved. This will add value to the activities by emphasizing the economic aspects of proper management and promotion of tourist destinations. (EN)

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 984 870.01

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 837 139.49

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

Co-financing sources:

IPA/IPA II/IPA III: Amount, EUR 837 139.49. Co-financing rate, 85.00%.

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

(bullets are inserted automatically and may be incorrectly placed)

Infrastructure investments:

I2.1 - Investment project for Emfiedjieva House Museum - EUR 259 379.01 - country: Bulgaria, town: Kyustendil , street: Krali Marko str., 9, postal_code: 253, ,

Deliverables:

Interdisciplinary diachronic analysis
Shared Cultural Calendar
Analysis of touristic resource potential
Marketing strategy for all seasons "tourist product"
A revitalized cultural attraction
New museum spaces for cultural and educational activities
Open air museum
Digital platform
On-line catalog "Old Town Houses Tell Stories"
Μobile application
Videofilms - 3
Cultural routes
Analysis of specific approaches targeting persons with disabilities
Three day festival
Media strategy for media coverage
A "laboratory" for audience monitoring
Trainings - Developing tourism by enhancing the appeal of cultural institutions
Gamification with cultural heritage sites to attract tourist interest - 1
Traveling exhibition "Old Houses Tell Stories"
Educational module
Organization of 2 seminars

Contribution to wider strategies and policies:

Other Territorial Strategy of the INTERREG VI-A IPA programme 2021—2027 between Bulgaria and North Macedonia
In line with the strategy's recommendations, the best approach to addressing the region's broad opportunities and challenges is a place-based and integrated approach that places the local perspective and works with local people and communities at the center. The project works with all possible stakeholders at all stages of the activities, relies on multi-sector interactions, bottom-up initiatives, and offers digital solutions.)
Other National Development Programme Bulgaria 2030; National Concept for Spatial Development for the period 2013-2025 (2019 update)
In this context, the project offers creative solutions and innovations in tourism and connects cultural and natural sites in routes, through events, and in a common "tourism product". Territorial, economic, and social cohesion is through integration in the European space; polycentric development, and regional competitiveness. The CULTURAL AREA has a thematic emphasis that seeks the pan-European of the past in order to bring it into the present in an attractive and regional development.
Other Integrated Development plan of Kyustendil Municipality for the period 2021-2027; Integrated Development plan of Dupnitsa municipality 2021-2027; Strategy for balanced regional development of the Republic of North Macedonia 2021-2031; Strategy for the development of tourism in the municipality of Kratovo 2022-2024
The priority is the integration into packages of different types of tourism and inclusion in regional and cross-border tourist products and routes. An important aspect is the role of public-private partnerships for marketing and consideration of the interests of all stakeholders. By creating an integrated and diverse tourism product and a common digital platform, the CULTURAL AREA provides solutions to challenges laid out in local strategic documents and inscribed in a wider regional context.

Deliverable (other than infrastructural investment) areas:

North Macedonia, Kriva Palanka, St. Joakim Osogovski Street, 134, 1330
North Macedonia, Kriva Palanka, St. Joakim Osogovski Street, 134, 1330
Bulgaria (BG), Kyustendil, Krali Marko str. , 9, 2500
Bulgaria (BG), Dupnitsa, Ivan Vazov str. , 3, 2600
Severna Makedonija (MK), Kriva Palanka, St Yoakim Osogovski street , 134, 1330
Severna Makedonija (MK), Kriva Palanka, Museum in the village of Gradec, , 1330
Bulgaria (BG), Kyustendil, Krali Marko str. , 9, 2500
North Macedonia, Kriva Palanka and Kratovo, St. Joakim Osogovski Street, 134, 1330

Programme Common Output Indicator:

RCO 084 - Pilot actions developed jointly and implemented in projects, Measurement unit:
RCO 116 - Jointly developed solutions, 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:

Delivered output indicator(s):

(RCO77) Number of cultural and tourism sites supported: 1.0

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:

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

2026-01-27

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

18 / 18 (100%)

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

78 / 78 (100%)

Notes on the data

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CULTURAL AREA - CULTURAL heritage community and AttRactive all-sEAson tourism

Description

Thematic information

Partners (4)

Partners map

Summary

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

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

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