To encourage the preservation of natural resources and cultural traditions through the development of integrated tourist products as models for sustainable use of natural, historical and cultural heritage of the cross-border area.

1,097,962.10 euro, out of which 933,267.78 euro ERDF

Lead Beneficiary (LB): Videle Municipality

Beneficiary 2 (B2): Lyaskovets Municipality

Start date: 12.09.2018

End date: 31.12.2022

Duration: 51 months and 20 days.

Veliko Tarnovo in Bulgaria

Teleorman in Romania

• Preserving, promoting and developing the historical, natural and cultural heritage;
• Preparing and development of a joint strategy and management plan for tourist attraction;
• Supporting the joint marketing and promotion of the cross border tourist product “Tales";
• Development of a cross-border tourism network.

Programme outputs:

- 1000 more visits to supported sites of cultural and natural heritage and attraction;

- 1 integrated tourism product/service created;

- 1 common strategy, policy or management plan 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.

The project implementation was finalized.

Within the frame of Activity T1 “Development of a cross border tourist product based on local traditions, history, natural and cultural heritage”, the Tourist strategy development was finalised.

The developed app is a common way of promotion, so people transiting the cross-border region are aware of upcoming events. The app has also been promoted at the main festivals organised within the project and to tour operators. It can be accessed at the following link: http://turism.primariavidele.ro dar and on Google Play (name: VideleTour).

The main investment objectives within the project are represented by Reconstruction of town park in Videle and two project sites in Bulgaria, namely Lyaskovets Town Park – “Eco-zone for recreation, arts and sports in the town of Lyaskovets” and “Reconstruction of the open space and green park around the Community centre in the village of Kozarevets into a zone for creative attractions”. Thus, the two investment sites in Lyaskovets were finalized in December 2020 and the Reconstruction in the Town Park Videle in August 2022.

Following the complete finalization of the sites from both sides of the border, , B2 organized 5 festivals: the festival "The Magic of Bulgarian Traditions", the Culinary Fest in Lyaskovets, the Culinary Fest in Kozarevets, "Festival of the chicken soup in the village of Kozarevets" and the festival entitled "Historical Event".

Тhe LB managed to organize 6 festivals: Food Sculpting Festival, Folklore Fest, Balkan Barbecue Festival, Festival " Zarezan", the festival under the title "Marin Preda" and a school children's camp.

As a result of the main events organized within the project, a total of 1789 tourist overnight stays were registered in the cross-border region of Videle - Lyaskovets and 1 common integrated tourism product was created, represented by the three renovated parks.

The improvement of theoretical and practical preparedness of volunteer emergency response units and the enhancement of the coordination and efficient reaction in case of disaster in the cross-border area.

892,443.58 euro, out of which 758,577.02 euro ERDF

Lead Beneficiary (LB):Municipality of Tutrakan

Beneficiary 2 (B2): Directorate General Fire Safety and Civil Protection – Ministry of the Interior (BG)

Beneficiary 3 (B3): General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations - Ministry of Internal Affairs (RO)

Beneficiary 4 (B4): National Association of Volunteers in the Republic of Bulgaria

Start date: 12.09.2018

End date: 11.11.2022 - finalized

Duration: 50 months

Pleven, Veliko Tarnovo and Silistra in Bulgaria

Dolj and Constanta in Romania

• Risk analysis of the cross border area;
• Procurement of complete protective suits for firefighting and training tower;
• Development of a volunteer emergency response plan for common actions;
• Development of a joint training program for volunteer emergency response units;
• Conduct theoretical and practical trainings in Bulgaria and Romania.

Programme outputs:4,779,754 people benefiting from actions of risk management, 4,591,666 people benefiting from flood protection measures, 4,779,754 people benefiting from forest fire protection measures, 5 joint partnerships in the field of joint early warning and emergency response

Programme results: increased quality of the joint risk management in the CBC area from inappropriate (2.00) to satisfactory (3.00)

The project was finalized on 11.11.2022.

During the entire project implementation period, the following results were achieved:

B2 finalized the elaboration of the risk analysis of the cross-border area as follows:

1) Analysis of the scale, frequency, geographical concentration, seasonality and prerequisites for disastrous events in the cross-border area;

2) Analysis of regional and municipal plans for disaster preparedness and emergency response for a pilot region (Silistra District and Calarasi County);

3) Joint report on the emergency response preparedness in the cross-border area.

The analysis is uploaded on the project web page, available on the following link: https://volunteering-robg.com.

Within the frame of Activity T.3 “Development of a Joint Training Program for Volunteers”, a voluntary emergency response plan for common actions was prepared by the experts of B2 and B4. Eventually, it was sent for approval to B3.

Further on, a contract for the development of the joint training program for volunteer emergency response units was signed and, subsequently, five three days workshops were performed in an online format because of the COVID-19 restrictions.

B3 - IGSU finalized the procurement and construction of the mobile training tower in the beginning of September 2021, in Constanta.

LB succeed to finalize the construction works for the establishment of a Training center for volunteers in Belitsa. The constructed Training Centre in Belitsa is represented by the following main spaces:

1.       Ground floor –Entrance, Lobby (Bar) , Multifunctional dining hall (Restaurant), Corridors, Storage room, Staircase, Toilets for visitors, Kitchen

2.       First floor – 2 Conference Rooms, Hall, Dressing Room, Bathrooms, Medical Cabinet, Sport Hall, Fitness Room, Office space and 8 Bedrooms;

3.       Second floor – 11 Bedrooms;

Following the finalization of the entire process for developing of the of a Joint Training Program for Volunteers, the project beneficiaries reported also the concluding of 5 joint partnerships at project level in the field of joint early warning and emergency response.

Within the frame of the WP 4 “Conduct theoretical and practical trainings”, there were organized the 6 the practical trainings in Belitsa and 2 practical trainings in Constanta with more than 216 volunteers from Romania and Bulgaria. More information is available on the project web site, accessible in all three languages on the following link: https://volunteering-robg.com .

The overall objective of the project is to improve joint risk management in the cross-border area. The current project aims to achieve reduction of the vulnerability of the environment and to prevent the consequences of social and economic disaster caused by flooding or fires in the border region.

910 542.10 euro, out of which 773 960.78 euro ERDF

Target at the half of the implementation period: 24,500 euro for LB, 12,000 euro for B2

Lead Beneficiary (LB): Montana Municipality

Beneficiary 2 (B2): Motatei Village

Start date: 08.09.2018

End date: 08.03.2020

Duration: 18 months 1 day

Montana Municipality

Motatei Village

• Conducting a comparative legal analysis on the Romania and Bulgarian legislation regarding disaster management
• Development of analysis of the current disaster management plans and responsible institutions
• Elaboration of study on local and European best practices in the field of natural disaster management and structural improvement
• Development of In-depth Guide to Citizen Disaster Preparedness
• Delivery of specialized risk management equipment in Montana and Motatei

Programme outputs: 51437 people benefiting from actions of risk management, 1 joint partnerships in the field of joint early warning and emergency response

Programme results: increased quality of the joint risk management in the CBC area for 51437 citizens

The Project has been finalized on 08.03.2020 with the following results:

- The comparative legal analysis for the Romanian and Bulgarian legislation in accordance with the risk management, has been developed;

- The analysis of the actual disaster plans for management and the responsible institutions has been elaborated;

- The study on local and European best practices in the field of natural disaster management and structural improvement has been developed and the In-depth Guide to Citizen Disaster Preparedness has been elaborated, printed and disseminated among the target groups, during the events organized within the project;

- All of the services and equipment contracts within the project have been awarded and fulfilled. The equipment has been delivered (backhoe with hydraulic kits, cups and picnotes on behalf of B2 and Tipper with hydraulic crane, 2 pick-up 4x4 trucks, one with a single cab and one with double cab, also Backhoe loader, 2 Mini front loaders and Agri tractor with trailer on behalf of LB);

- The project website is still under development and can be accessed at http://eqsol.eu/en/

The main objective of the project is to contribute to the touristic development of the Giurgiu-Ruse area by providing local stakeholders with a comprehensive strategy to enhance the visibility of the two counties as visiting destinations and by facilitating the formation of a network of interested actors that would provide their input to the development of the strategy.

416,588.17 euro, out of which 354,099.94 euro ERDF

Lead Beneficiary (LB): “CEDCA” Association

Beneficiary 2 (B2): Business Support Centre for Small and Medium Enterprises – Ruse

Start date: 08.09.2018

End date: 07.11.2019

Duration: 14 months

Ruse in Bulgaria

Giurgiu in Romania

• Documentation of cultural and natural heritage in the Giurgiu-Ruse area;
• Sustaining and promoting tourism in the Giurgiu-Ruse area;
• Realization of studies, research, information system, tourism development strategy;
• Organization of stakeholder workshops;
• Development, elaboration and dissemination of Joint Strategy.

Programme outputs:

- 1 integrated tourism product/service created;

- 1 common strategy, policy or management plan for valorizing (including raising awareness) the cultural and natural heritage through its restoration and promotion for sustainable economic uses;

Programme results: 500 tourist overnights in the CBC region.

The project implementation was finalized on 07.11.2019 and the following objectives have been achieved:

Two launching conferences of the project on behalf were organized.

The web site has been developed and its available at the link: www.tourdev.eu .

A final “Study for popularisation of landmarks and locations in the Giurgiu-Ruse region and for documentation for cultural and natural heritage in the Giurgiu-Ruse area” was completed from LB and B2 and is available in all three languages on the project web site: www.tourdev.eu/joint-study/ .

In addition, both beneficiaries organized and performed in total 6 workshops – 3 in Ruse and 3 in Giurgiu, dedicated on the development and content of the Joint Strategy for the Touristic development of the Giurgiu-Ruse area, attended from 255 stakeholders, The elaborated Joint Strategy and management plan for valorizing (including raising awareness) the cultural and natural heritage is uploaded and is available on the project web site: www. http://tourdev.eu/joint-strategy/ .

B2 elaborated 10 videos for promoting the natural heritage in area Giurgiu – Ruse available on the web site: www.tourdev.eu/videos/ .

Furthermore, promotional activities were carried out by the project partners, including elaboration one travel guidebook and one photo album.

Following the implementation of the project activities, 1 integrated tourism product was created, represented by the developed joint study, the project website and the printed travel guidebook and photo album.

Tourism and cultural heritage will be addressed within the project through developing traditions existed in Contesti and Tsarevets (traditional dance) and also identifying new traditions that define the 2 areas.

1.499.556,90 euro, out of which 1.274.623,36 euro ERDF;

Lead Beneficiary (LB):CONTESTI VILLAGE;

Beneficiary 2 (B2): Tsarevets City Hall, Svishtov Municipality;

Start date: 24.08.2018;

End date: 23.05.2023;

Duration: 57 months;

Velikovo Tarnovo;

Teleorman;

• Elaboration of the Study "Exploring other common traditions ";
• Organization of workshops for identifying joint tourism products;
• Organization of dance festivals;
• Creation of the Centre ”Dance School” Contesti;
• Creation of the Centre for Culture and Education in Tsarevets;
• Organization of information and publicity activities;

Programme outputs: Increase in expected number of visits to supported sites of cultural and natural heritage and attraction with 1.800;

6c.1 - Number of integrated tourism products/services created – 4 number;

Programme results: Increase of the number of overnights in the CBC area with 1.800;

The project implementation period ended on 23.05.2023.

Lead Beneficiary – TAU Contesti Commune:

- The construction works for "Dance School" Center in Conțești are finilized;

- The study "Exploring other common traditions" was developed in 3 languages ​​(Romanian, Bulgarian and English);

- Two festivals "Tradition and dances - bridge over the Danube" were organized, one from 24.03.2023 to 26.03.2023 and the second one from 07.04.2023 to 09.04.2023.

Beneficiary 2 - Tsarevets City Hall, Svishtov Municipality

- B2 completed the renovation works and set up the Center for Culture and Education in Tsarevets, on 01.07.2019;

- On 01.08.2019 and 05.07.2022 two workshops to identify traditional activities were organized, at the Center for Culture and Education in Tsarevets;

- On 01.08.2019 and 06.08.2022 2 tourism product identification workshops were organized at the Center for Culture and Education in Tsarevets;

- Two festivals "Tradition and dances - bridge over the Danube" were organized. The first one took place on the 1^st of 08 2019 until 04.08.2019 in Tsarevets, and the second starting 03.08.2022 until 06.08.2022, in Tsaravets.

More information about the project and the organized festivals can be found on the project's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089669984374