Project code: | BGRS0200060 |
Project call: | Call under Priority 2 - Enhancing regional competitiveness, incl. in the area of tourism |
Priority axis / Specific objective: | Priority 2 - Integrated development of border region 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 |
Type of project: | Investment and soft measures |
Project duration in months: | 24 months |
Project final contract amount: | 621.229,96 € |
Project EU co-financing rate: | 85% |
Project start date: | 07/10/2025 |
Project end date: | 07/09/2027 |
Partners: | Lead partner: Tourism organization Sokobanja; Partner 2: Folk Community center "Hristo Botev-1900, town of Varshets"; Partner 3: Municipality of Varshets; Partner 4: “Montana-tomorrow” Foundation; Partner 5: The Ecological Society of Sokobanja |
Project summary: | Cross-border region Sokobanja–Varshets is rich in natural and cultural-historical tourist attractions (HERITAGE) many of which are not adequately or not at all touristic valorized. In Sokobanja, where the development of health and sports-recreational tourism is based on natural factors, effective protection and preservation of natural resources are a decisive factor for the further development of sustainable tourism. In this sense, it is necessary to take into account the physical capacity and durability of the environment when valorizing and using natural tourist potentials. Sustainable tourism implies the controlled exploitation of natural tourist resources as well as cultural resources that are located in natural landscapes and are inextricably linked. The main idea is to conect the natural resources of the cross border region with archeological and cultural tourism resources in an integrated tourist product. Many unique archaeological monuments have been preserved in the Varshets area, bearing information about the rich history of the area. Varshets was first mentioned in the 6th century in Byzantine chronicles under the name MEDEKA (Medicus – healing). There are also older objects from the Roman period dating from 1st-3rd century in the "Kaleto" area, where the ruins of the ancient fortress still exist. Varshet also has significant cultural sites from the recent past like “Banite” architectural ensemble – “Garden of the Sun” Park - architectural monuments of culture in the late European Baroque style, established in 1934. The mentioned monuments are not sufficiently valorized for tourism, although they have great potential. The existing natural & cultural tourism potentials of the cross border region can be combined into a unique tourism product that will bring economic benefits while respecting the principles of sustainability. Main objective is to increase the utilization of natural and cultural tourism resources on the cross-border territory of Sokobanja and Varshets by creating a joint tourism product while respecting the principles of sustainability.The project aims to unite the people of the cross-border region by preserving and improving their common cultural, historical and natural heritage and to contribute to their economic well-being, as well as to raise public awareness of its importance. Main outputs of the project will be: developed General plan for the management of restoration and promotion of sustainable economic use of the natural and cultural sites, developed Marketing strategy "Integrated eco and cultural tourism in the cross border area", arranged panoramic road and viewpoint in the protected natural area in the Municipality of Sokobanja, arranged suitable natural areas in Sokobanja Municipality as the basis for development of ecotourism and tourism of special interests like bird watching, created new tourist product “Ecology and Culture-integrated tourist product”, developed three tematic routes: based of the natural resources, on the historical/ archeological heritage and on cultural heritage. The project responds to the general challenge of the program area, namely that the natural, cultural and historical heritage of the cross-border region is not capitalized to its potential value for sustainable cross-border tourism. The project addresses the mutual problem of the lack of investment in the reconstruction, preservation and promotion of valuable cultural and historical monuments and sites in the cross-border area, which are located in smaller cities. The diversifying and integrating tourism service packages is an important objective. Existing tourist packages include natural and historical attractions, cultural calendars of municipalities, local customs and beliefs, local folklore - songs, dances, musical instruments, tales etc. However, these packages remain unpopular due to various reasons - insufficient attractiveness of the product, lack of qualified animators, insufficient financial resources for advertising & marketing. Project will introduce new approach to connect natural and cultural heritage of the cross border region, and to use its huge potential by joint action and jointly develop solutions. Project partners from both sides of the border will develop and adopt new solutions, as a new branding and marketing practice in the cross-border area Sokobanja-Varshets, to increase the regional competitiveness of the cross-border region using its natural and cultural potentials. A new joint brand of the natural and cultural potentials of the cross-border area Sokobanja-Varshets will be created as “Jointly developed solution” with active participation of all relevant tourism stakeholders from both side of the border.This kind of approach will significantly improve existing practices in the cross border region regarding the utilization of existing natural and cultural tourism potentials, which was mostly carried out spontaneously and without precisely defined activities. |