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.

To stimulate the labor mobility and job opportunities through providing favorable conditions for development of joint business and entrepreneurships in the cross-border region.

598,785.51 euro, out of which 508,967.67 euro ERDF

Lead beneficiary (LB): Municipality of Belene (Bulgaria)

Beneficiary 2 (B2): Ovidius University (Romania)

Start date: 17.04.2018

End date: 16.07.2022

Duration: 51 months

Constanta and Teleorman in Romania

Pleven in Bulgaria

• Development of a joint strategy;
• Development of a web based platform with mobile internet version in Bulgarian, Romanian and English language to encourage the joint business initiatives in the CBC region and to stimulate employment opportunities;
• Development of a web based training platform with mobile internet version in Bulgarian, Romanian and English language and preparation of webinars;
• Organization of training workshops;
• Organization of 6 joint forums.

Programme outputs:

- 25 initiatives that activate workforce mobility in the cross border area; 1400 participants in joint local employment initiatives and joint trainings 560 participants in joint educational and training schemes to support youth employment, educational opportunities and higher and vocational education across borders

Programme results:

            - 111,174 persons will have access to joint employment initiatives in the CBC region

The project was finalized and during its implementation, the following results were achieved:

- 16 two-day training workshops were organized for the unemployed and inactive people in the cross-border region with topics related to finding a job, developing a business and marketing, as follows:

30.05-31.05.2019 in Belene, with 34 participants;

24.06-25.06.2019 in Svishtov, 54 participants;

19.09-20.09.2019 in Pleven, 10 participants;

03.10-04.10.2019 in Nikopol, 29 participants;

14.11-15.11.2019, in Svishtov, 63 participants;

06.07-07.07.2020 in Belene, 19 participants;

08.07-09.07.2020 in Pleven, 4 participants.

5 trainings workshops in period 18.11-22.11.2019 in Alexandria, 250 participants;

2 training workshops in period 20-21.01.2020 in Turnu Magurele, 100 participants;

17.08-19.08.2020in Rosiori de Vede, 50 participants;

18.08-20.08.2020in Rosiori de Vede, 50 participants.

- 6 joint forums were organized in connection with ideas of initiatives about the need for business, ideas of Romanian-Bulgarian initiatives and improvement of public services, as follows:

04-05.09.2019 in Svishtov, 118 participants;

29-30.11.2019 in Pleven, 134 participants;

21-22.10.2019 in Belene, 172 participants.

15.11-16.11.2019 in Alexandria, 100 participants;

31.01-01.02.2020 in Turnu Magurele, 113 participants;

21.08-22.08.2020 in Alexandria, 100 participants.

- A joint strategy has been developed on the mobility of labour force and the integration into the labour market of disadvantaged people in the Romania-Bulgaria cross-border region;

- 1 web based platform with mobile internet version in Bulgarian, Romanian and English language available at the address: https://projectintegration.belene.bg/and 1 web based platform in behalf of Beneficiary 2 – Ovidius University Constanta, available on https://increase-employment.com/;

- 1400 persons participated to the joint employment initiatives (training workshops and joint forum).