To support the sustainable socio-economic development of the cross-border region by enhancing the tourism potential related to the development and marketing of competitive tourist products.

1,219,951.26 euro, out of which 1,036,958.56 euro ERDF

Lead Beneficiary (LB): General Toshevo Municipality

Beneficiary 2 (B2): Territorial Administrative Unit – Murfatlar Town

Start date: 12.09.2018

End date: 30.04.2022

Duration: 43 Months 19 Days

Dobrich in Bulgaria

Constanta in Romania

How is it going to happen?

• Training and enhancing the capacity of local communities. Conducting of thematic camps;
• Creation of common tourist products. Conducting of tourist forums and exhibitions;
• Realization of studies, research, information system, tourism development strategy.

Programme outputs: 4 integrated tourism products/services created, 5,000 expected number of visits to supported sites of cultural and natural heritage and attraction, common strategies, policies or management plans for valorizing (including raising awareness) the cultural and natural heritage through its restoration and promotion for sustainable economic uses - 1.

Programme results: 3,500 tourist overnights in the CBC region.

The project was finalized on 30.04.2022. The following results were achieved during the project implementation:

Two round tables of representatives of youth councils and young volunteers were held in General Toshevo (03.05.2019) and Murfatlar (31.05.2019). Both events were addressed to the young people and their needs to better understand the cross-border cultural features of Dobrudja area and their relevance for cooperation and tourism promotion.

Two summer thematic camps were organized in 2019 - one in General Toshevo and Balchik (01-06.07.2019) and the second one in Murfaltar and Mamaia/Constanta (04-09.09.2019). Both camps included cultural-related visits to museums and historical sites, tourist tours, workshops related to traditional and popular art and crafts, exhibitions, sport and leisure activities, networking.

Seminar “Intangible cultural heritage - conservation, promotion, development and opportunities for organizing festival and event tourism” was held in General Toshevo and Balchik in the period 23-24.10.2020.

Seminar “Possibilities for development of thematic tourism connected to the cultural-historic heritage, wine, traditional cuisine and traditional music and crafts” was held in Murfatlar in the period 18-19.07.2021.

Tourism forum “Cultural and historical heritage and tourist attractions in Municipality of General Toshevo” was organized by the LB in General Toshevo in the period 10-11.09.2021.

Tourism forum “Cultural and historical heritage and tourist attractions in Municipality of Muratlar” was organized by B2 in Murfatlar in the period 24-25.09.2021.

2 studies of tourism potential and opportunities for tourism development for each municipality and a strategic plan were developed. On the basis of the developed studies, it was created the Common strategy for the development of tourism in the cross-border region General Toshevo – Murfatlar, available at the following link:

http://robg453-tour.eu/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Common-Strategy.pdf.

The both project beneficiaries developed multilingual tourist guides for General Toshevo and Murfatlar, available on the project websites at the following links:

http://robg453-tour.eu/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/tourist_guide.pdf

https://www.murfatlarulturistic.ro/en/travel-guide/travel-guide.html

Two connected websites were developed: http://robg453-tour.eu/ and https://www.murfatlarulturistic.ro/ro/, available in three languages (Bulgarian, Romanian and English).

Two informative films were developed by the project beneficiaries:

1.       Information film about the natural and cultural-historical heritage of General Toshevo Municipality and Murfatlar Municipality, available on the following links:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUC3oge642I&t=443s  

http://robg453-tour.eu/  

2.          Information film about the natural resources of Murfatlar Municipality and General Toshevo Municipality, available on the following links:

https://youtu.be/rTBdryfLcuY

https://www.murfatlarulturistic.ro/

The following investment objects were modernized and reconstructed during the project implementation:

Lead Beneficiary – General Toshevo Municipality

1. Community cultural centers in Spasovo and Kardam villages

The investment included the reconstruction and modernization of the buildings and the surrounding area of the cultural centers in the two largest villages of General Toshevo - Kardam and Spasovo. Reconstruction preserves the purpose of the buildings and all premises. The investment included major overhaul of buildings, electrical installation, heating, ventilation, plumbing and sewerage installations. To improve the functionality of public cultural centers, furniture and modern equipment were be delivered. Park equipment and accessories are provided for the adjacent areas.

a) Reconstruction and modernization of the building and the surrounding area of Cultural Center “Probuda-1941” Kardam. The works are finalized and the building is put into operation – Certificate for entering the building into exploitation no. 021/25.08.2020;

b) Reconstruction and modernization of the building and the surrounding area of Cultural Center “Otets Paisii-1897”- Spasovo. The works are finalized and the building is put into operation – Certificate for entering the building into exploitation no. 010А/26.05.2020.

2. History museum - General Toshevo.

The investment provides repair activities in the adjoining space / yard / of the museum and the supply of park equipment. Part of the museum courtyard is shaped like an open exhibition of exhibits and archaeological finds. The specifics of the construction works do not require a technical project. The construction works were carried out on the basis of a bill of quantities. The implemented works have been accepted with delivery-acceptance protocol from 06.11.2019.

3. Advertising Totems.

At the entrances / exits of General Toshevo municipality two totems were be installed along the main road Dobrich-Kardam-Negru Voda-Constanta. The Kardam-Negru Voda Border check-point is one of the main points of the border between Romania and Bulgaria and has a very intense traffic. The installed totems were accepted with delivery-acceptance protocol from 21.10.2019.

Three temporary billboards were elaborated and installed at the investment objects.

Beneficiary 2 – Territorial Administrative Unit Murfatlar Town

1. Expansion and renovation of the local Cultural centre. The investment included reconstruction and modernization of the Cultural centre (House of Culture) - Murfatlar and supply of equipment for the House of Culture. Construction activities included: demolition and construction of an extension and repair of the existing center, repair and extension of the roof, changing rooms, sanitary facilities, etc. Access platforms and parking around the Cultural centre have been built. The cultural center was equipped with furniture, modern information and audio-visual equipment. A hall was equipped for seminars and promotions. The works are finalized and the building is put into operation - Minutes of reception at the end of the works no. 3998/20.04.2022.

2. Creation a theme park (in the existing park). Theme Park - the following works were executed: restoration of infrastructure, arrangement of green spaces, hedge was planted, works were performed on foundations, playground and pergolas, installations, outdoor lighting. The works are finalized and the building is put into operation - Minutes of reception at the end of the works no. 3999/20.04.2022.

3. Rehabilitation of the Heroes' Monument. Rehabilitation of the marble cover and plinth; rehabilitation of the surroundings. The works are finalized and the building is put into operation – Minutes of reception at the end of the works no. 3997/20.04.2022.

The overall objective of the project is to enhance the existing cultural potential which is undervalued and underutilized in order to strengthen the economy and increase the number of tourist visits and overnights by developing modern cultural attractions.

474,841.50 euro, out of which 403,615.26 euro, ERDF

Target at the half of the implementation period: 73,740 euro for LB and 45,537 euro for B2

Lead Beneficiary (LB): Historical Museum Tutrakan

Beneficiary 2 (B2): Lower Danube Museum Calarasi

Start date: 28.11.2018

End date: 27.04.2022

Duration: 41 months*

*In accordance with MA decision no.38411 from 15.03.2019, the implementation period of the project was suspended for 5 months, starting with 11.02.2019. Further on, through three Addenda to the Subsidy contract, the project implementation period was extended, as follows: Addendum no.2/20.03.2020 with 8 months (until 27.06.2021), through Addendum no.3/03.06.2021 with 7 months (until 27.01.2022) and last extension of the project implementation period was through Addendum no.4/14.01.2022 with 3 months.

Silistra (Bulgaria)

Calarasi (Romania)

• Development of information and VR exhibition spot Tutrakan Epic;
• Improvement of tourist environment and VR exhibition spot – Calarasi;
• Development of a Tourist strategy;
• Creation of two integrated tourist products;
• Creation of tourist information portal;
• Publishing of catalogues and brochures related to the cultural sites and events.

Programme outputs: Increase in expected number of visits to supported sites of cultural and natural heritage and attractions with 15,000; 2 integrated tourism products/services created, 1 common strategy, policy or management plan for valorising (including raising awareness) the cultural and natural heritage through its restoration and promotion for sustainable economic uses.

Programme results: increase of the number of overnights in the cbc area with 15,000.

The project implementation was finalized on 27.04.2022. During the project implementation, the following main activities and results were reazlized:

Two workshops were organized for children by B2 - Lower Danube Museum Calarasi – on the 19^th and 30^th of July 2021 with 26 participants and between the 9^th and 10^th of December 2021.

The exhibition, "On a River Distance" has been presented during July 2021 in Calarasi, reaching 38 participants.

B2 carried out the simplified procedure for the supply of software with VR content and specialized equipment for the project "Heritage of Gumelnița Civilization viewed from a 3D and 2D perspective". Within the frame of this contract, the Museum was supplied with specilaized VR equipment, thus contributing to the attractiveness of the Museum for additional visitors.

The joint strategy, ”Tourist strategy and at least 3 tourist packages targeted at different target groups, divided by age, interest and social position” was elaborated and is available at https://cbsrd.tutrakan.tours/category/tourist-packages/.

Following the supplied VR equipment within the Historical Museum Tutrakan, the 2nd exhibition “Interbellum Urban Life” have been presented during July 2021 in Tutrakan.

The 2 tourism products developed within the project are represented by the both VR systems equipped at the premises of the both project beneficiaries within the museums in Tutrakan and Calarasi.

The 360 VR movie/production has been developed and accepted by the Beneficiaries, the trailer of the production is available on web portal https://cbsrd.tutrakan.tours/not-just-a-story-in-the-museum/, while the full footage will be presented with special equipment purchased within the project at the two museums.

The web portal is updated with information related to the project and is available at: https://cbsrd.tutrakan.tours/home/ .

The objective of the project is to enhance the capacity for common cross-border cooperation in the field of health services in Berkovitsa and Bailesti Municipalities through creation of opportunities for the people living in the distant villages for access to adequate health care and supply of modern and innovative equipment for the municipal hospitals.

1,450,529.96 euro out of which 1,232,950.46 euro ERDF

Lead beneficiary: Municipality Berkovitsa (Bulgaria)

Beneficiary 2: City Hall Băilești (Romania)

Start date: 17.05.2019

End date: 16.08.2022

Duration: 39 months

Berkovisa, Montana District in Bulgaria

Bailesti, Dolj County in Romania

Programme outputs: 10 supported cross border mechanisms (agreements, networks, regulations, studies, policies, strategies, information exchange tools) to enhance cooperation capacity;

Programme results: increased level of coordination of the public institutions in the eligible area.

The project was finalized. The following results have been achieved within the project:

- A Joint Conference to present the prepared Morbidity study and round tables for discussions to promote the Handbook for healthy life was organized in Berkovitsa on 16-18 February 2022;

- A Joint training seminar for professional development of medical experts was organized in Berkovitsa on 09-11 May 2022;

- Elaboration of a Memorandum of Cooperation and Partnership on common policies, efforts and actions in health, accelerating the development and the realization of the potential of the municipalities of Berkovitsa (Bulgaria) and Bailesti (Romania), which can be found at the following link https://healtheff-robg.eu/ro/dokumenti/;

- Developing the health services network of stakeholders in the cross border area by signing cooperation declarations by representatives of NGO’s, other hospitals and health organizations in the CBC area;

- Developing of the Joint morbidity study in Montana – Dolj cross border regions available on the project website https://healtheff-robg.eu/en/documents/in 3 languages (English, Romanian and Bulgarian);

- The development of the facebook page of the project https://www.facebook.com/HealthEff-105221631368861/ and of the project website https://healtheff-robg.eu/en/;

- A Joint training seminar for professional development of medical experts was organized in Bailesti on 20-22 June 2022;

- A Joint Conference to present the prepared Morbidity study and round tables for discussions to promote the Handbook for healthy life was organized in Bailesti on 11-13 July 2022;

- An experience exchange visit in order to increase the awareness degree of the population regarding the prophylaxis activities was organized in Berkovitsa on 3^rd of August 2022;

- An experience exchange visit in order to increase the awareness degree of the population regarding the prophylaxis activities was organized in Bailesti on 27-28 July 2022;

- Equipping the Municipal Hospital of Berkovitsa with the following equipment: mobile cardiology center, digital X-ray system, patient monitors, ultrasound system for general and abdomen examination, neonate transport incubator, autoclave, transport respirator and ultrasound nebulizer;

- Equipping the Municipal Hospital of Bailesti with the following equipment: fixed radiology equipment, the mobile radiology equipment, laparoscopic kit + accessories, anesthesia machine, surgical table, mechanical ventilation machine, fiber optic bronchoscopy, LED light lamp operating room and fetal morphology ultrasound;

- Achieving a level 5 (strongly appropriate) of coordination of the public institutions in the eligible area, after the implementation of the project.

The main objective of the project is to improve the sustainable use of natural heritage and resources and cultural heritage for Nature Park Rusenski Lom and Comana.

508,730.23 euro, out of which 432,420.68 euro ERDF

Lead Beneficiary (LB): Directorate of Nature Park Rusenski Lom (Bulgaria)

Beneficiary 2 (B2): Association Ecologic Center Green Area Giurgiu (Romania)

Start date: 08.11.2018

End date: 07.01.2021

Duration: 26 months. The project implementation period was extended with additional 8 months (making it from 18 to 26 months) via Addendum no. 1 from 07.05.2020.

Ruse in Bulgaria

Giurgiu in Romania

• Elaboration of GIS for 2 National Parks (NPs) and Natura 2000 sites in the area of eco corridor Comana-Lomovete;
• Strategical planning activities in the area of eco corridor Comana-Lomovete;
• Ecosystem cross border awareness and connectivity between the 2 NP and Natura 2000 sites.

Programme outputs: 2 common strategies, policies or management plans for valorizing (including raising awareness) the cultural and natural heritage through its restoration and promotion for sustainable economic uses

Programme results: 1000 tourist overnights in the CBC region and 4 NATURA 2000 sites from the cross-border area with coordinated management tools

The project is completed.

A launch press conference was organized to present and promote the "Green Management" project.

Both partners purchased all necessary equipment agreed in the application form: two Medium to Rough Terrain Access Vehicles (SUVs), one for each partner, a laptop computer for GIS work and file storage for LB, housing archive for LP, camcorder with wildlife photography accessories for B2.

The service of creating a GIS of the Rusenski Lom Nature Park for both beneficiaries is now available for public and private needs in the GIS/GIS section of the directorate's website: https://rusenski-lom.bg/.

After the last public consultation, considering the development of the plan, LB accepted the Management Plan II from the contractor and forwarded it for further review to the Bulgarian Ministry of Environment and Water and is awaiting the evaluation of the Ministry for the final acceptance of the Management Plan.

The service for Management Plan (MP) from LB is at the end, a preliminary version is available on the Rusenski Lom Nature Park website in the Documents section (https://rusenski-lom.bg/).

On behalf of B2, a public meeting with local stakeholders was organized in the Komana Natural Park on 21.09.2020. The public discussion with interested parties included a presentation of the proposed management measures for the Canis Aureus (Jackal) species included in the Action Plan. Also, on October 1, 2020, under the contractual provisions, the "Inventory Study - Detailed mapping of the jackal population and non-invasive plant species and habitats of community interest, in the context of species mobility, in the Comana Natural Park" was completed.

Services related to ecosystem awareness and connection between Rusenski Lom Nature Park and Comana Nature Park and Natura 2000 sites and exotic and invasive species survey were completed by the two beneficiaries in October 2021. The activity is based on an existing joint management plan proposal for the Comana and Lomovete cross-border corridor, an action plan for the jackal (Canis aureus) in the Comana Natural Park and the protected natural areas with which it overlaps, there being a revised strategy for a visit to the Comana Natural Park and a report on the Comana Natural Park, which includes background information and survey results.