More than EUR 8.3 million will be invested in the development of tourism in the border regions of Bulgaria and Serbia

Balloon tourism development, training tourists in old crafts with virtual reality goggles and electric roller coasters are some of the proposed projects

Over EUR 8.3 million will be invested in the development of tourism in the border region between Bulgaria and Serbia. They are provided under the INTERREG VI-A Bulgaria-Serbia IPA 2021-2027 Programme managed by the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works and they set the real implementation of the integrated territorial strategy of the programme aimed at developing an attractive, all-season tourism product through smart solutions. The funds will be invested in the implementation of the first 10 projects approved under Priority 2 “Integrated development of the cross-border region”. They will be implemented in the Bulgarian municipalities of Vidin, Montana, Chiprovtsi, Varshets, Gorna Malina, Georgi Damyanovo, Pravets, Chelopech, Roman, Kameno and in Bolijevac, Merosina, Kniazevac, Babushnica, Blace, Pirot, Sokobanja, Sverlig on the Serbian side.

The projects will implement activities to upgrade existing infrastructure, improve accessibility, introduce new smart products and increase the tourist services offered to make the border region a year-round tourist destination. Important areas such as improving mobility and connectivity, branding and marketing cross-border tourism products and strengthening links between cultural and natural resources and the environment are supported. The aim is to foster economic growth by creating new jobs, stimulating innovation and sustainable use of natural and cultural resources.

Among the projects proposed for funding is the development of “Balloon Tourism”, developed by “Regional Partnerships for Sustainable Development - Vidin”. The total budget is EUR 813 645, which will be used to organise three three-day balloon festivals - in the Serbian cities of Nis and Bor, and one in the Vidin region. Thus, Bor and Nis will have the chance to become the first districts in Serbia to organise free balloon flights, while the district of Vidin, and more precisely the area of the Belogradchik Rocks, will have the chance to increase the number of flying balloons in the area, approaching the concept of Cappadocia.

The Municipality of Georgi Damyanovo will work on the implementation of a project for the renovation of a community centre and the creation of an Innovative Cross-border Craft Centre Bulgaria - Serbia, with two outdoor exhibition halls. The project will take place in the People's Community Centre “Tseko Todorov - 1899”, village of Gavril Genovo, an exhibition hall will be built with three different craft workshops - iron forging, basketry and pottery and a wood carving exhibition hall. Virtual reality goggles will be purchased for video tutorials that will introduce visitors to the intricacies of the crafts.

The municipality of Pravets envisages the provision of an attraction, electric-hybrid tourist train, which will take tourists to various attractions in the municipality - the historical museum, the golf course, the fortress “Borovets”, the locality “Topila - Kamiche” and the monastery “St. Theodore Tiron”.

Vidin Municipality in partnership with the Vidin Chamber of Commerce have developed a project for the construction of a bike path and recreation and sports areas in Danube Park.

The projects promote cooperation between the two countries and bring together local communities for greater sustainability, innovation and competitiveness in the region. In addition, actions are foreseen to strengthen the stability of the sector so that tourism services can adapt to changing conditions and remain competitive and accessible to consumers. Their implementation brings together representatives of different social and economic sectors and stimulates closer partnerships between local authorities, businesses and civil society organisations in both countries, with local communities themselves prioritising and defining investments according to their specific needs.

Within the framework of the Territorial Strategy, a call for projects aimed at developing and delivering services of general interest, meeting public needs and supporting businesses in different sectoral policies in the border regions will be opened in May. These services, financed with public funds, aim to improve citizens' well-being, access to basic social and economic services, as well as to promote the sustainable development of the region. The funds, amounting to EUR 4 630 028, will be allocated to develop innovative solutions in areas such as environment, mobility, social services and digitalisation. Potential beneficiaries are public and municipal enterprises and NGOs, which will be able to develop new services or improve existing ones, increasing their accessibility, quality and efficiency.

Another grant of over €6 million has been allocated under a call for indirect support to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, which will be launched in April, again to implement the Integrated Territorial Development Strategy by supporting regional competitiveness.

Two business support organisations from the region - the Executive Agency for the Promotion of Small and Medium Enterprises from Bulgaria and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia - have been identified as beneficiaries. They will implement an extensive joint initiative for business services and consultancy aimed at local SMEs in the cross-border region to increase their competitiveness in international markets by acquiring knowledge and skills to develop in a competitive, sustainable and digital business environment.