The overall objective of the project is to improve the sustainable development, protection, preservation and promotion of cultural heritage and to improve the socio-economic situation in the region.

499,514.72 euro, out of which 424,587.50 euro ERDF

Lead Beneficiary (LB): "Open hand" foundation (Bulgaria)

Beneficiary 2 (B2): Teleorman County Museum.

Start date: 07.09.2018

End date: 06.12.2020 (suspension of the project implementation period between 17.03.2020 – 17.06.2020).

Duration: 27 months

Vidin, Montana, Vratsa, Pleven, Veliko Tarnovo, Ruse, Silistra, Dobrich in Bulgaria

Constanta, Calarasi, Giurgiu, Teleorman, Dolj, Mehedinti, Olt in Romania

• Joint Study and Research of the cultural sites with common history;
• Elaboration of common strategy;
• Digitization of the studied and researched sites and elaboration of their 360° digital images;
• Elaboration of 3D cross border models.

Programme outputs:

- 11,000 more visits to supported sites of cultural and natural heritage and attraction;

- 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: 80 tourist overnights in the CBC region.

The project implementation period ended on 06.12.2020, following requested and approved suspension of the project implementation period between the period 17.03.2020 - 17.06.2020 and two operated extensions of the project implementation period in total with 6 additional months.

The main project results are:

Related to the elaboration of the “Joint Study and Research of the cultural sites with common history”,the second part from the information for the elaboration of the Study was collected and the following Romanian cultural and historical objects with common history were visited, scanned and captured:

- The church of Dervent Monastery, village of Galitsa, Constanta county, Romania; Church "St. Nicola", Constanta, Romania; The Royal palace, Constanta, Romania;

- Voditsa Monastery, Orsova, Romania;

- St. Nicholas Church, Istria, Romania;

- Monument of Independence, Turnu Magurele, Romania;

- Stella Maris Chapel from Vitanesti, Alexandria, Romania;

- Constantine Bridge, Corabia, Olt County, Romania;

- Museum of Art and Ethnography, Calafat, Dolj County, Romania.

Based on the provided information, a “Joint Study and Research of the Cultural Sites with Common History” on behalf of LB was elaborated and, eventually uploaded on the project website: https://robgcommonsites.eu/ , Section “General Information”.

In addition, 18 3D cross border models of the historical objects identified in BG cross- border region so far, were delivered to the LB:

From BG:

1. 3D cross border model of Catholic Temple, St. Joseph, village Bardarski Geran;

2. 3D cross border model of the house of Dina Babis, former Romanian consulate, Ruse;

3. 3D cross border model of the State Commercial High School, Svishtov;

4. 3D cross border model of the Former Romanian School/ Art gallery, Tutrakan;

5. 3D cross border model of the Rock Monastery St. Dimitar Bаsarabovski, village Basarbovo;

6. 3D cross border model of the Former Romanian court/ Art gallery, Dobrich;

7. 3D cross border model of the Panorama “Epopeya” Pleven;

8. 3D cross border model of the Regional History Museum Pleven;

9. 3D cross border model of the History Museum Vidin.

From RO:

1. The church of Dervent Monastery, village of Galitsa, Constanta county, Romania;

2. Church "St. Nicola", Constanta, Romania;

3. The Royal palace, Constanta, Romania;

4. Voditsa Monastery, Orsova, Romania;

5. St. Nicholas Church, Istria, Romania;

6. Monument of Independence, Turnu Magurele, Romania;

7. Stella Maris Chapel from Vitanesti, Alexandria, Romania;

8. Constantine Bridge, Corabia, Olt county, Romania;

9. Museum of Art and Ethnography, Calafat, Dolj County, Romania.

All 18 3D cross border models were exposed during the organization of 8 out of total 8 exhibitions foreseen, Pleven, Ruse, Dobrich and Montana BG and Alexandria, Calarasi, Constanta and Craiova, RO. A pre exhibition business trip from the project teams was made for establishing the conditions of the organizing of the exhibitions (place, room, visiting hours). In addition, in reference to the organization of the exhibitions, the LB signed a contract for loading and unloading, installation, dismantling and arranging of 18 pcs. models of sites part of the cultural and historical heritage with a common history for each of the planned 8 pcs. exhibitions in Bulgaria and Romania. Respectively, the total number of visitors registered at all 8 exhibitions, organized in Romania and Bulgaria is: 17078. In addition, parallel with the performing of the exhibitions, B2 proceeded further also with the elaboration and broadcasting of a documentary movie. The documentary movie was elaborated in Ro and BG. The broadcasting of documentary was replayed parallel at RTS Severin, Drobeta Turnu-Severin, Mehedinti County.

For the WP “Communication”, the LB signed a contract fregarding the elaboration of the project web site: https://robgcommonsites.eu/ . The elaborated iOS and Android applications IOS and Mobile Application – ROBG Common Sites are available on the project Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

In terms of the financial progress of the project: Both beneficiaries fulfilled their targets established at the half implementation period and avoided deccomitment. The final percentage of financial execution of the project is 84.42% from total budget (499.514,72 euro).

The main objective of the project is to improve the touristic attractiveness of the targeted area (Dolj, Olt, Mehedinti, Montana, Vidin and Vratsa) by identifying, saving, preserving and promoting inestimable pieces of immaterial heritage, local legends, with the goal of improving the sustainable use of natural heritage and resources and cultural heritage.

499 165.02 euro, out of which 424 290.26 euro ERDF

Lead Beneficiary (LB): Forever for Europe Association (Romania)

Beneficiary 2 (B2): Private Benefit Association “Agency for Development of North-West Bulgaria” (Bulgaria).

Start date: 01.09.2018

End date: 29.02.2020

Duration: 18 months

Vidin, Montana, Vratsa in Bulgaria

Dolj, Mehedinti, Olt in Romania

• Collecting the local legends related to natural heritage and resources and cultural heritage from the targeted CBC area, with the potential of becoming sustainable touristic attractions and illustrate them through graphical representation;
• Improving the level of attractiveness of cross-border tourism through the development of 2 common tourism products, namely Legendary Map (paper version and e-map together with the explanatory catalogue) and Legendary Camp (common event dedicated to pupils and teachers);
• Increasing the number of tourists in the targeted area by promoting the sustainable use of common heritage in terms of local legends through distribution of the touristic materials developed, elaborating and broadcasting of the video production and organizing the Legendary Camp for 240 pupils and 48 teachers.

Programme outputs:

- 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;

- 2 integrated tourism products/services created;

- 348 increase in expected number of visits to supported sites of cultural and natural heritage and attraction;

Programme results: 348 tourist overnights in the CBC region.

The project implementation was finalized on 29.02.2020 and the following objectives have been achieved:

LB and B2 awarded the service contracts for Identifying the local legends with the potential of becoming sustainable touristic attractions.

Within the frame of the contracts for the Romanian side of the border were identified 7 Legends from district Dolj, 7 Legends from district Mehedinti and 6 Legends from district Olt and respectively for the Bulgarian side of the border – 10 Legends for district Montana, 6 Legends from Vidin and 7 from district Vratsa.

All identified Legends from both sides of the border were uploaded within a Designed common interactive map, which available on the project web site on the following link: https://danubelegends.eu/discover-the-legends/, translated in all three languages.

In addition, all identified Legends were included into a common strategy for valorizing the cultural and natural heritage through legends for promotion of sustainable economic, translated in all three languages, available on project website - https://danubelegends.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/D.T1.1.6_EN.pdf. The strategy contains methods for identifying/collecting the legends to promote the natural and cultural heritage, methods for promoting/ disseminating for their sustainable economic use, stakeholders involved both during the implementation period of the project and after it, entities responsible for implementing the strategy, monitoring methods.

Four Legendary Camps in Varshetz, BG were organized so far with the participation of students from RO and students from BG in middle age 11 – 14 years old.

The designed Interactive common map, together with performed Four Legendary Camps are representing the 2 integrated tourism products, which were created during the project implementation.

Furthermore, during the carried-out 4 editions of Legendary camps, the project contributed to the Programme Result indicator “Number of tourist overnights in the CBC region” with additional 348 overnights.

The overall objective of project “Welcome to the middle ages” is to improve the sustainable use of natural and cultural heritage of Mezdra and Dobrosloveni municipalities by establishing two important festivals – roman and medieval, reconstructing the life and traditions of the time, bringing together stakeholders able to contribute from all cross-border region and promoting the culture and history of the region.

495,103.46 euro, out of which 420,837.93 euro ERDF

Lead Beneficiary (LB):Mezdra Municipality (Bulgaria)

Beneficiary 2 (B2): Dobrosloveni Municipality (Romania)

Start date: 28.09.2018

End date: 10.05.2020, following suspension of the project implementation period between the period from 17.03.2021 - 30.04.2020.

Duration: 18 months

Vratsa in Bulgaria

Olt in Romania

• Research of festivals, events and groups, presenting middle ages and roman traditions of RO and BG
• Conference for adoption of common strategy for promotion of ancient and medieval traditions
• Purchase of equipment necessary for the organization of the festivals
• Organization of medieval festival in Mezdra at the “Kaleto” archeological complex and of a roman festival in Dobrosloveni
• Promotion of both integrated tourism products at tourism fair in Sofia and in Bucharest

Programme outputs: 1100 more visits to supported sites of cultural and natural heritage and attraction, 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: 1000 tourist overnights in the CBC region

The project implementation period ended on 10.05.2020, following requested and approved suspension of the project implementation period between 17.03.2020 - 30.04.2020. The main results achieved are as follows:

LB – Mezdra Municipality has completed the “Research of festivals, events and groups, presenting middle ages and roman traditions” and subsequently within Activity T3 “Organisation of medieval and roman festivals”, organized and performed the Festival of the medieval traditions, manners and culture in the period 16 and 19 May 2019, having more than 300 guests. The related necessary equipment for performing the main event as a Bulgarian yurta - the mobile home of Bulgarian nomad tribes, clothing and armory for 2 warriors, heavily armed warriors, archer, noble chief and medieval saddle, 3 pagoda tents and 1 professional sound system, were also purchased and delivered to LB and used during the event.

B2 – Dobrosloveni Municipality, the main Roman festival “Romula Fest” was also organized in the period 22 – 25 August 2019, in Dobrosloveni. B2 acquisitioned the necessary equipment and goods. 16 Roman soldiers costumes and 1 professional sound system were purchased.

The two researches represented an important step towards the development of the common strategy for promotion of ancient and medieval traditions for sustainable tourism development in the cross-border region. The strategy was prepared by the project team members with the full support of the beneficiaries presented and adopted on a two day conference performed in Mezdra with 100 stakeholders from the cross-border area representing groups for historical reconstructions, tourism companies and stakeholders. The Strategy for promotion of the medieval traditions was developed from the BG part from the PMT team and is available on the project web site: https://mezdrafest-robg.eu/en/assets/files/Common_tourism_Strategy_Fin.pdf . On on the project web site could be found a Memorandum of understating for cooperation in the tourism sector signed between the mayors of Mezdra and Dobrosloveni.

In order to promote both integrated tourism products created at project level, on one hand LB has participated in the Sofia Tourism Fair on 14-16.02.2019 and on the other B2 have taken participation in the tourism fair in Bucharest (14-17.11.2019). As a result of the presentation at both tourism fairs, the visits to the supported cultural sites in Mezdra and Dobrosloveni, increased with at least 400 persons.

In order to increase further the interest over the achieved projects results, LB developed a Catalogue of Festival and Events and a Catalogue of Medieval and Roman groups, both available in BG, RO and EN . In addition, a 50 minutes movies for Roman and Medieval traditions was produced and further published in Youtube and on the project web site of the project – www.mezdrafest-robg.eu/en/ .

To improve tertiary nodes connection by reconstruction of 4,315 m of road and introducing eco-friendly-transportation in the Silistra - Navodari cross-border area.

7.896.727,79 euro, out of which 6,712,218.61 euro ERDF

Lead Beneficiary (LB): Territorial Administrative Unit - Navodari Town (Romania)

Beneficiary 2 (B2): Silistra Municipality (Bulgaria)

Start date: 24.04.2018

End date: 23.04.2023

Duration: 60 months

Constanta in Romania

Silistra in Bulgaria

• Elaboration of a Joint Strategy whose aim will be to identify better transport services for the citizens in the cross-border area, improve the accessibility and mobility of people with minimum effects on the environment and propose future projects to be developed in common;
• Elaboration of a Joint Route Guide which will gather information about bicycle lanes and routes, sightseeing - cultural and natural heritage, hotels, shops and garages for bicycles in the region of Silistra and Navodari;
• Construction of a 14.414 m of bike lanes, construction of 7 bike docks in Silistra (for standard and electric bikes), 36 bus and bike stations in Navodari and 1 solar parking in Silistra; 
• Rehabilitation of 4.315 km of road;
• Organization of communication and promotion activities.

Programme outputs: 

4,315 km of rehabilitated roads;

2 joint mechanisms that facilitate the connection of secondary/tertiary nodes to TEN-T infrastructure;

Programme results: 

68,211 persons from the cross border area will be served by modernized infrastructure leading to TEN-T

The overall objective of the project is to modernize and upgrade the road infrastructure in Ruse and Giurgiu representing direct connections to TEN-T.

7,835,520.26 euro, out of which 6,660,192.21 euro ERDF

Lead Beneficiary (LB): Territorial Administrative Unit Giurgiu

Beneficiary 2 (B2): Ruse Municipality

Start date: 07.09.2018

End date: 07.12.2022

Duration: 51 months and 1 day

Ruse in Bulgaria

Giurgiu in Romania

• procurement of specific equipment;
• services for technical project elaboration and technical assistance;
• construction works of roads in Giurgiu and Ruse;
• site supervision services;
• traffic safety measures;
• joint strategy for optimization of the transport conditions in the CBC region;
• common system for data base gathering and processing of traffic information;
• information and promotional activities.

Programme outputs: 11.23 km of roads reconstructed or upgraded;

Programme results: 2.000 people benefiting by modernized infrastructure leading to TEN-T.

The project was finalized on 07.12.2022.

LB -Giurgiu Municipality finished the works execution according to the Technical design. 6.75 km of roads in Giurgiu town were modernized. Thus, on 22.06.2021, the reception was made at the end of the works for modernization of six road sections and for completion of the restoration works of the passage at the intersection of 1 Decembrie 1918 street with the Giurgiu Nord-Ruse railway, at km c.f. 66 + 533.00.

The specific equipment for the traffic management system was installed both in Giurgiu and in Ruse. The existing system created in the project (MIS ETC 115, financed under the Cross-Border Cooperation Programme Romania-Bulgaria 2007-2013), was expanded by 4 Ultra High Sensitivity 4K cameras. Gathering data from the mounted cameras and processing traffic information from the traffic monitoring system is a critical aspect of modern traffic management and analysis. This process involves the collection of visual data from the cameras placed at strategic locations and the subsequent analysis of this data to extract valuable traffic-related information. The traffic cameras mounted through this project are strategically placed at key locations, such as intersections and main roads. These cameras have different types of lenses and capabilities, including pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) functionality for focusing on specific areas of interest.

B2 - Ruse Municipality finalized the works execution related to modernization of "Lipnik" Blvd. from the roundabout at Boulevard "Tsar Osvoboditel" to the roundabout next to the building of the traffic police.Thus, a total length of 4.61 km of roads in Ruse were modernized. Protocol no. 16 of the findings of the commission was signed on 04.08.2022. As a result, a Permit for using the road was issued on August 5^th 2022. All necessary protocols and documentation were submitted to the competent bodies and the construction was registered via Technical passport on August 8^th 2022.

The joint strategy for optimizing transport conditions in the cross-border area Romania-Bulgaria 2020 – 2027 was developed by the Municipality of Ruse in Bulgarian, Romanian and English languages. The strategy was posted on the following link:

https://obshtinaruse.bg/savmestna-strategia-za-optimizane-na-transportnite-uslovia-v-transgranichnia-region-bulgaria-rumania-2020-2027