Media

Mineral water, nature and clean air have long attracted visitors to Varshets and Sokobanja. But what encourages them to return? And how can the region offer experiences that inspire visitors to stay longer and come back again?

More and more, the answer lies in cultural heritage – local stories, traditions, architecture and natural landmarks that can become part of a shared tourism experience on both sides of the border.

RESPONSE behind the scenes: Training in conditions close to real operations

In May 2026, Montana once again became a meeting point for Bulgarian and Serbian firefighters and rescue professionals taking part in the strategic project RESPONSE. This time, however, much of the training took place outside the classroom – in field conditions designed to closely resemble real operational environments.

Stone by Stone: Heritage without borders

In mid-April 2026, the town of Varshets brought together, for several days, people who would not usually find themselves in the same place discussing the same topics – local authorities, cultural experts, local historians, tourism professionals, representatives of NGOs and businesses. The common theme was cultural heritage, but the conversations quickly moved beyond the usual question of “how to preserve it.” Because today the question is also what comes next.

The Ministry of European Integration of the Republic of Serbia is launching a series of regional meetings with stakeholders regarding the preparation of the new Interreg Programme Bulgaria–Serbia for the 2028–2034 programming period.

The aim of the regional consultations is to involve local communities already at the programming stage, as well as to collect proposals regarding the priorities and directions of the future programme.

The 2025 Interreg Cooperation Day celebration, jointly organised by the Interreg VI-A IPA Bulgaria–Serbia Programme and the Interreg VI-A IPA Bulgaria–North Macedonia Programme, attracted around 2,600 participants and became the largest event within this year’s campaign. The celebration took place in the framework of the international theatre festival "Acting Europe – Theatre without Borders" held in Kyustendil, Bulgaria.

RESPONSE behind the scenes: How children learned to react in emergencies

When we talk about disaster protection, we usually imagine firefighters, specialised equipment and action in real emergencies. But preparedness starts much earlier – in the classroom.

And sometimes it begins with the simplest things: what to do during an earthquake, how to react if you smell smoke, or how to stay calm when people around you panic.

Stone by Stone: Heritage without borders

Between Montana and Pirot, the border has long been more of a formality than a real barrier. For years, the two municipalities have been building a partnership through joint initiatives, projects, and consistent investments in cultural and tourism infrastructure.

RESPONSE Behind the Scenes: Rescue operations in tunnels

At the end of November 2025, a series of specialised training sessions took place in Niš, Republic of Serbia, bringing together Bulgarian and Serbian firefighters around a shared goal – improving preparedness for tunnel operations.

RESPONSE Behind the Scenes: Measures for a safer home

Sometimes, the most important safety measures are not complex. They simply need to reach the people who need them most.

With age, everyday life changes – movements become slower, reactions take more time, and sometimes even a seemingly small risk goes unnoticed. This makes situations such as fires more difficult and more dangerous.