Maritsa Timeless Journey

Programme 2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-A IPA Bulgaria Türkiye

Date of latest update: 2025-12-10

Description

Description (EN):

The main challenge addressed by the project with acronym Times the seasonality and lack of year-round tourism in the cross-border area of Bulgaria and Turkey. Both countries experience significant fluctuations in tourist arrivals, with peak visitation during specific periods, particularly centered around the summer months. This creates economic dependency on these specific periods, leading to financial challenges for tourism-related businesses and reduced employment opportunities during the off-peak seasons. Additionally, the concentration of tourists during peak seasons strains local infrastructure, impacts the visitor experience, and puts pressure on cultural sites and natural areas. The overall objective of the “Maritsa Timeless Journey” project is to unlock the region's year-round tourism potential, drive sustainable economic growth, and improve regional competitiveness, supporting digital tourism transformation. The project aims to achieve this by developing and implementing a pilot year-round tourism product named “Maritsa Timeless Journey”. This tourism product will be based on the common historical heritage of Bulgaria and Turkey, focusing on the Maritsa River Trade Route and the cultural diversity of the cross-border region. By creating an all-season tourism product, the project seeks to reduce the dependency on peak seasons, enhance the region's attractiveness to tourists throughout the year, and generate sustainable economic benefits for local communities. The project will produce several key outputs: Current repair, renovation, and revitalization of the History Museum "Prof. Alexander Fol" in Malko Tarnovo, providing an enriched cultural attraction for visitors; Establishment of a "City Archive" digital center in Edirne, serving as a scientific tourism and educational hub; Restoration and conservation of "Izvora na Belonogata"/"Gerganina chesma" in Harmanli, preserving a significant natural heritage site; Development of a joint solution for boosting year-round cross-border tourism, encouraging collaborative efforts between Bulgaria and Turkey; Pilot development of the year-round labeled tourism product "Maritsa Timeless Journey," serving as a model for integrated all-season tourism; Production of a promotional film "Maritsa Timeless Journey," raising awareness and promoting the region as a year-round destination. The beneficiaries of the project outputs include local communities, tourists, cultural institutions, educational institutions, and tourism-related businesses in the cross-border area. The cross-border approach is essential for the success of the project because it aims to address the common challenge of seasonality and year-round tourism in the region. By collaborating between Bulgaria and Turkey, the project partners will pool their resources, expertise, and cultural heritage to develop a joint solution for integrated tourism development – a common methodology for standrardization of year-round tourism labeling. The cross-border approach facilitates the sharing of best practices, the exchange of knowledge, and the promotion of cultural diversity, resulting in a more comprehensive and impactful year-round tourism product. The uniqueness of the "Maritsa Timeless Journey" project lies in its focus on turning the region's diverse cultural heritage and history into a valuable asset. Instead of trying to overcome the differences between Bulgaria and Turkey, the project capitalizes on these differences and creates a joint tourism product based on the shared history and the Maritsa River Trade Route. This approach ensures the preservation and promotion of the unique cultural heritage of the region while fostering sustainable tourism development. The project's emphasis on a year-round labeled tourism product is also innovative, as it seeks to move away from seasonality and create a more stable and thriving tourism economy in the cross-border area.

Expected Achievements (EN):

The specific objective of Workpackage 1, "Elevating Tourism Experiences along the 'Maritsa Timeless Journey' route," is to enhance the year-round attractiveness and visitor engagement of the cross-border region by revitalizing and digitalizing key cultural and historical sites. By the end of the project, the objective is to improve the visitor experience and accessibility along the newly proposed "Maritsa timeless Journey" route with a focus at the History Museum in Malko Tarnovo, established digital center in Edirne, restored the "Izvora na Belonogata" site in Harmanli, and developed interactive and educational resources. This will lead to a measurable increase in annual visitor numbers by 30% and higher satisfaction rates, thus promoting sustainable tourism and regional cultural heritage awareness across the Bulgaria-Turkiye border region. The specific objective of Work Package 2 is to establish a sustainable, year-round tourism product that enhances the cultural and historical heritage of the cross-border region between Bulgaria and Turkiye, benefiting local communities, businesses, and tourists. By the end of the project, this objective will be achieved through the creation and promotion of the "Maritsa Timeless Journey" tourism product, standardized labeling methodology, and a promotional film. These outputs will increase tourist visits with expected number of 5000 people annually, extend the tourism season, and stimulate economic growth in the Harmanli, Malko Tarnovo and Edirne regions, as evidenced by increased visitor numbers, local business revenue, and cross-border collaboration.

Project outputs: Cultural and tourism site supported in Malko Tarnovo, Edirne and Harmanli(EN)
Population covered by the project thought development of pilot year-round tourism product "Maritsa Timeless Journey"(EN)
Pilot development of all-season tourism product "Maritsa Timeless Journey"(EN)
Methodology for standardizing year-round tourism labeling in the cross-border area(EN)

Thematic information

Cultural heritage and arts Tourism Education and training

Priority: (VI-A_BG-TK_2) 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: 016 Government ICT solutions, e-services, applications

Partners (4)

Lead Partner: Исторически Музей Проф. Александър Фол - Малко Търново

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 876915794

Partner’s ID if not PIC: BG102826129 | 102826129 | N/A (EN)

Address: Konstantin Petkanov str., 8162 Malko Tarnovo, Bulgaria

Department address: Bulgaria

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Other

Website: http://www.malkotarnovo.org/

Total budget: EUR 204 236.48

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 173 601.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 85.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 30 635.48

Edirne Tanıtım ve Turizm Derneği

Name: Edirne Tanıtım ve Turizm Derneği

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 917141015

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 3240371831 | 22-001-032 | N/A (EN)

Address: Çavuşbey Mah Arifpaşa Çıkmaz Sk, 22020 Edirne, Turkey

Department address: Turkey

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Website (not verified): https://ettder.org/

Total budget: EUR 36 961.67

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 31 417.41

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 85.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 5 544.26

община Харманли

Name: община Харманли

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 939045361

Partner’s ID if not PIC: BG000903939 | 000903939 | N/A (EN)

Address: Vazrazhdane sqr., 6450 Harmanli, Bulgaria

Department address: 6450 Harmanli, Bulgaria

Legal status: private

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: https://www.harmanli.bg/

Total budget: EUR 342 699.12

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 245 201.22

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 72.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 97 497.90

Trakya Üniversitesi

Name: Trakya Üniversitesi

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 999616914

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 8150409605 | N/A | N/A (EN)

Address: Balkan Campus, 22030 Edirne, Turkey

Department address: Turkey

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: https://www.trakya.edu.tr/

Total budget: EUR 391 474.42

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 332 753.25

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 85.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 58 721.17

Partners map

Partners and Projects info

The Association for Promoting and Tourism of Edirne

Maritsa Timeless Journey

Partners and Projects info

Община Харманли

Maritsa Timeless Journey

Partners and Projects info

Trakya University, Edirne

Maritsa Timeless Journey

Partners and Projects info

Historical museum Prof. Dr. Aleksandar Fol - Malko Tarnovo

Maritsa Timeless Journey

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Project name (EN): Maritsa Timeless Journey

Project acronym: Time<

Project ID: BGTR0200100

Project start date: 2025-08-02

Project end date: 2027-08-01

Project status: ongoing

Relevant linked projects:

CB005.2.21.123 "Revival of Ancient Historical and Cultural Corridors", funded under Interreg IPA CBC Bulgaria-Turkey 2014-2020 (EN) | In partnership between Harmanli Municipality (acting as Lead Partner) and The Association for Promoting Edirne and Tourism of Edirne (PP2) was successfully implemented project "Revival of Ancient Historical and Cultural Corridors", financed under Interreg IPA CBC Bulgaria-Turkey 2014-2020 under priority Axis "Tourism", specific objective "2.1. Increasing the touristic attractiveness of the cross-border area through better utilisation of natural, cultural and historical heritage and related infrastructure". The main project objective is: To strengthen the cross-border cooperation capacity of Edirne and Harmanli in the field of sustainable tourism along the Diagonal Road in order to enhance the European territorial cohesion of border area The specific objectives are: To increase the tourist attractiveness of Harmanli and Edirne cross-border towns through better preservation, utilization and promotion of cultural heritage along the Diagonal Road To encourage cross-border cooperation and problem solution in the field of sustainable tourism between Edirne and Harmanli towns. This project represents a logical continuation of the efforts of the two partners in the field of tourism development and cultural heritage preservation, strengthening the cross-border partnership between different stakeholders. (EN), Project "The magic of antiquity and the beauty of nature from Burgas Bay to Strandzha" 2014 under the program of the MINISTRY OF REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND WELFARE (EN) | Historical museum Prof. Dr. Aleksandar Fol - Malko Tarnovo successfully implemented Project "The magic of antiquity and the beauty of nature from Burgas Bay to Strandzha" 2014 under the program of the MINISTRY OF REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND WELFARE under Priority axis 3: "Sustainable development of tourism", Operation 3.2: "Development of the regional tourism product and marketing of destinations" Grant scheme: BG161PO001/3.2-02/2011 "Support for the development of the regional tourist product and marketing of the destinations". Budget line: BG161PO001/3.2-02/2011 (EN), Project "Student internships and trainings 2014" - financed by the Ministry of Education (EN) | The aim of the project is to train students in various museum activities. The project included 16 young people from UNIBIT who successfully completed a two-month internship at the History Museum "Prof. Alexander Fall" Malko Tarnovo. (EN), Support for Promotion of Sustainable Tourism - CB005.1.22.063 under Interreg - IPA CBC Bulgaria – Turkey Programme 2014-2020 (EN) | The overall objective of the project is developing of joint destination through promotion of cultural heritage of the cross border region Burgas – Edirne. The project will contribute to the achievement of the IPA CBC programme objectives through capacity building for sustainable use of natural resources, cultural and historical heritage through joint studies and researches, visualisation and publicity,creating new partnerships and networks for the promotion of the joint cultural heritage. Project beneficiary - ETTDER. (EN), PROMORIVER / 2013-1-PT1-GRU06-16314-6 Rivers: an opportunity for promoting employment and local sustainable development (EN) | The project was provided opportunities for target group, to engage in exchange of experience and knowledge, to promote sustainability and participation in conservation activities along river margins, such tree planting, cleaning up campaigns, to learn about sustainable activities and good examples in European rivers. Each partner documented their activities on the webpage created for the project. They also actively contributed to the creation of 5 booklets regarding the theme Rivers. Project beneficiary - ETTDER. (EN)

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 975 371.69

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 782 972.88

Total EU funding (co-financing rate): 80.27%

Co-financing sources:

IPA/IPA II/IPA III: Amount, EUR 782 972.88. Co-financing rate, 80.27%.

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

(bullets are inserted automatically and may be incorrectly placed)

Infrastructure investments:

I1.1 - Investment for the History Museum in Malko Tarnovo - EUR 98 091.36 - country: Bulgaria (BG), town: Malko Tarnovo, street: Konstantin Petkanov str., 1, postal_code: 8162, Yugoiztochen (BG34), Burgas (BG341)
I1.2 - “City Archive” digital center in Edirne - EUR 237 144.91 - country: Türkiye (TR), town: Edirne, street: Balkan Campus, N/A, postal_code: 22030, Tekirdağ, Edirne, Kırklareli (TR21), Edirne (TR212)
I1.3 - „Izvora na Belonogata/Gerganina chesma”, Harmanli - EUR 293 715.23 - country: Bulgaria (BG), town: Harmanli, street: N/A, N/A, postal_code: 6450, Yuzhen tsentralen (BG42), Haskovo (BG422)

Deliverables:

LP: Repaired and renovated building of the History Museum - Malko Tarnovo
LP: Delivered, installed and functioning equipment for digital experience in Historical Museum-MT
LP: Ensured Virtual and AR reality in Historical Museum – Malko Tarnovo
PP2:Repaired and renovated exterior and installations of supplementary building (former school)
PP2: Settled sustainability tools of the Italian Church and Its Annexes - Trakya University
PP2: “Renovated interior surfaces of supplementary building (former school)
PP2: Established furniture and renovated landscape
PP2: Purchased, installed and functioning software for the needs of “City Archive” digital center.
PP2: Established digital “City Archive” and obtained archive documents
PP2: Ensured promotion for “City Archive” digital center in Edirne
PP3: Restorated, conservated and socialized ICH „Izvora na Belonogata/Gerganina chesma” in Harmanli
PP3: Ensured author's supervision for the works in Harmanli
PP3: Ensured site supervision for works in Harmanli
PP4: Consultations with stakeholders in TR
PP3: Consultations with stakeholders in BG
PP2: Research and analysis to identify best practices and successful case studies in tourism
PP2: Methodology for standardizing year-round tourism labeling in the cross-border area
PP3: Training session for methodology`s implementation in BG
PP4: Training sessions for methodology`s implementation in TR
PP3: Developed tourism product "Maritsa Timeless Journey
PP3: Pilot test in selected destinations along the "Maritsa Timeless Journey" route
PP4: Developed promotional film "Maritsa Timeless Journey"
PP4: Movie premiere of "Maritsa Timeless Journey" in TR
LP: Pilot event for Historical Museum - Malko Tarnovo
PP4: Pilot event for "City digital" achieve in Edirne
LP: Movie premiere of "Maritsa Timeless Journey" in BG
PP4: Development of promotional materials spread among PPs and social media profiles management
LP: Informational materials for the needs of Historical Museum - Malko Tarnovo
PP2: Informational materials for the needs of Trakiya University
PP3: Informational materials for the needs of Municipality of Harmanli
PP4: Informational materials for the needs of ETTDER
PP4: Opening Press Conference in Edirne

Contribution to wider strategies and policies:

SeaBasinStrategyBlackSea The "Maritsa Timeless Journey" project contributes to the Common Maritime Agenda for the Black Sea by addressing its key objectives of fostering sustainable tourism and enhancing cross-border cooperation. Specifically, the project aligns with the agenda’s goals of promoting economic growth and regional development through integrated maritime and coastal tourism strategies. By developing and piloting a year-round tourism product that showcases the historical and cultural heritage of the Maritsa River Trade Route, the project supports the agenda’s pillar on sustainable blue economy. It enhances the tourism marketing strategies in the cross-border region of Bulgaria and Turkiye, addressing seasonality challenges and promoting cultural and historical tourism. The project also contributes to the agenda’s objective of strengthening regional cooperation and community engagement by involving multiple stakeholders from both countries, thereby fostering cross-border collaboration. Additionally, the restoration and promotion of significant cultural sites, echo the agenda's focus on preserving maritime and cultural heritage, ensuring that tourism development is harmonized with the protection of the region’s unique historical and natural assets.
EuropeanGreenDeal The "Maritsa Timeless Journey" project contributes to the European Green Deal by integrating sustainability and environmental protection into its tourism development strategy. Specifically, it aligns with the Green Deal's objectives of promoting sustainable tourism and reducing carbon footprints. Through the revitalization of historical and cultural sites like the Italian Church in Edirne and "Izvorat na Belonogata" in Harmanli, the project incorporates energy-efficient technologies, such as solar panels and rainwater collection systems, thus supporting the Green Deal's goals for climate action and resource efficiency. By developing the "Maritsa Timeless Journey" as a year-round tourism product, the project addresses seasonal tourism challenges and promotes sustainable economic growth, thereby contributing to the Green Deal's vision of a green and sustainable economy. Additionally, the project enhances local awareness and fosters a responsible tourism culture, reinforcing the Green Deal’s commitment to preserving cultural heritage while ensuring ecological sustainability.
TerritorialAgenda2030
The "Maritsa Timeless Journey" project significantly contributes to the Territorial Agenda 2030 by enhancing regional cohesion and sustainable development through cross-border cooperation. It aligns with Objective 3 of the Agenda, which emphasizes the promotion of balanced territorial development by integrating cultural heritage into regional planning and tourism. By revitalizing historical and cultural sites and developing the "Maritsa Timeless Journey" as a year-round tourism product, the project fosters economic growth, increases accessibility, and reduces regional disparities. The project supports Pillar 1 of the Agenda by advancing sustainable land use and infrastructure development, exemplified by the implementation of energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly technologies at the Italian Church and other sites. Additionally, it contributes to Pillar 2 by promoting cross-border collaboration and stakeholder engagement, enhancing local and regional connectivity. Through these efforts, the project strengthens the socio-economic fabric of the cross-border region, aligns with the Territorial Agenda’s vision of sustainable and cohesive territorial development, and supports the broader European goals of integrated and resilient territorial management.
Other National Strategy for Sustainable Development of Tourism in the Republic of Bulgaria 2014-2030
The project contributes to multiple strategy objectives of the National Strategy for Sustainable Development of Tourism in the R. of Bulgaria 2014-2030 – No. 1, 2, 3, by unlocking an year-round tourism potential, preserve and promote cultural heritage, foster sustainable and inclusive tourism development, implement effective marketing strategies, and embrace digital transformation in the tourism sector to achieve sustainable economic growth and improve regional competitiveness, using CB approach
Other Tourism Strategy of Turkiye - 2023
The implementation of "Maritsa Timeless Journey" will contribute to Turkiye's Tourism Strategy by unlocking year-round tourism potential in the cross-border region. It aims to reduce seasonality, increase competitiveness, and promote cultural heritage through a unique tourism product, enhancing Turkiye's sustainable tourism and economic growth.
Other Integrated territorial strategy for the development of the southern central region of the Republic of Bulgaria
The project implementation will directly contibute to achievemnet of SO 1.4.2. Sustainable development of tourism of Integrated territorial strategy for the development of the southern central region of the R. Bulgaria, throught development of solutions and pilot actions for year-rount sustainable tourism development in the CB area of BG and TR.

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:

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 Türkiye

Latest month of project-partner-call data publication

2025-12

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

34 / 35 (97.14%)

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

97 / 99 (97.98%)

Notes on the data

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Maritsa Timeless Journey

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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