Signed Agreement for the implementation of the project “Integrated development of recognizable cultural and close-to-nature tourism in the Eastern Planning Region and Blagoevgrad Region”

With the official signing of the Grant Agreement with the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works of the Republic of Bulgaria, the Center for Development of the Eastern Planning Region begins the implementation of another project funded by the European Union within the framework of the Interreg VI-A IPA Cross-Border Cooperation Programme with Bulgaria.

In the project “Integrated Development of Recognizable Cultural and Close-to-Nature Tourism in the Eastern Planning Region and Blagoevgrad Region”, the Center for Development of the Eastern Planning Region appears as the lead partner, while other partners with their own activities are the Municipality of Shtip, the Municipality of Gotse Delchev, the Municipality of Sandanski, the Association of Entrepreneurs from the Gotse Delchev Region, the Tourist Association Momini Dvori and the Savremie Association.

The project envisages a series of activities to create a year-round cross-border tourist offer, including infrastructure activities at two locations in the East Planning Region: reconstruction of the mountaineering lodge in the Crn Vrv locality in the Municipality of Probishtip and construction of a recreational multifunctional playground under the Gradce Dam in the Municipality of Kocani.

Through successful implementation, the project will also contribute to reducing the seasonality of tourism and creating a constant flow of tourists; improving institutional cooperation to achieve common goals; increasing the attractiveness of the region for tourists and better services and experiences for visitors; better trained tourism professionals; open opportunities for creating new jobs through the development of (complementary) tourist services; long-term preservation of regional advantages; as well as integration of smart solutions that improve the overall tourist experience.

The total value of the project is slightly more than 1 million euros, of which about 300 thousand euros are foreseen for the activities of the Center for Development of the East Planning Region.

The deadline for completion of all project activities is April 2027.