Enhancing the Cross-Border Tourism Offer through Joint Interpretation of Cultural Heritage in the Lim Valley

PROJECT OVERVIEW
Programme: CBC SRB-MNE 2021-2027 (IPA III)
Call for Proposals: 1st Call for Proposals (EuropeAid/185585/ID/ACT/Multi)
Contract No. 002782276 2024 10520 028 002 000 001 – 7
Project Title: Enhancing the Cross-Border Tourism Offer through Joint Interpretation of Cultural Heritage in the Lim Valley – Establishment of Modern Interpretative Centres in Prijepolje and Bijelo Polje
Specific objective of the Programme: SO 2.1 To enhance and promote commonly coordinated cross-border tourism offer based on a protected cultural and natural heritage
Programmes’ result: 2.1.1. Commonly developed touristic offers commercialised; 2.1.2. Improved common protection and promotion of cultural and natural heritage
Project budget: Total contract amount (€): Contracted amount EU (€) and % of total contract amount:
563,553.12 473,271.91

83.98 %
Beneficiaries of funds: Lead applicant: Co-applicants:
MNE: National Museum of Montenegro MNE: Multimedial Montenegro

SRB: Museum of Prijepolje
Location of the action: SRB: MNE:
Municipality of Prijepolje, with coverage of Priboj (Lim Valley) Municipality of Bijelo Polje, with coverage of Plav, Andrijevica and Berane (Lim Valley)
Target groups: •     10 cultural and heritage institutions in the Lim Valley cross-border region, directly involved in the development, implementation and long-term use of the joint interpretative concept and infrastructure;

•     20 employees of cultural and heritage institutions – museum professionals, curators, educators and technical staff – participating in joint trainings and cross-border cooperation, responsible for the daily operation and sustainability of the interpretative centres;

•     20 local and regional tourism actors (public and private) – tourism organisations, tour operators, travel agencies, tourist guides and service providers – engaged in structured cooperation with cultural institutions;

•     15 media representatives, private and public, at local, regional and cross-border level, including traditional and digital media;

•     Final beneficiaries: domestic and international tourists (approx. 10,000 annually); pupils and students (approx. 2,000 annually); the local population and small businesses of the cross-border region (approx. 3,000 annually); researchers and cultural heritage enthusiasts; tour operators, travel agencies and tourist guides.
Commencement date and project duration: 01/10/2026 – 31/03/2029, 30 months
Overall objective: To contribute to the strengthening of cross-border cooperation between Montenegro and Serbia through enhanced protection, joint interpretation and contemporary promotion of the shared cultural heritage of the Lim Valley, as a basis for the development and enrichment of a coordinated cross-border tourism offer.
Specific objective(s): To enhance the joint protection, interpretation and tourism-oriented use of the cultural heritage of the Lim Valley by establishing modern interpretative centres in the Museum of Prijepolje and the Risto Ratković House and Museum in Bijelo Polje, strengthening the capacities of cultural institutions and fostering structured cross-border cooperation with tourism stakeholders, thereby increasing the accessibility, visibility and sustainable integration of cultural heritage into a coordinated cross-border tourism offer.
Estimated results: R1. Modern infrastructure for the joint interpretation and protection of cultural heritage in Bijelo Polje and Prijepolje established – two functional and modernly equipped interpretative centres applying digital and interactive technologies.

R2. Improved institutional capacities and strengthened cross-border cooperation between cultural institutions and tourism stakeholders in the Lim Valley – capacities of staff in 10 cultural institutions enhanced and practical cooperation established with 20 tourism organisations, guides and service providers.

R3. Enhanced joint promotion and increased visibility of a coordinated cross-border cultural tourism offer in the Lim Valley, through coordinated promotional activities, modern communication tools and joint public events.
Main activities

(in relation to the estimated results of the action):

 Activity Group 1: Establishment of Modern Interpretative Centres (Result 1)

1.1 Development of a joint cross-border interpretative concept

1.2 Design, procurement and installation of multimedia and interactive equipment

1.3 Adaptation of exhibition spaces and ensuring accessibility

1.4 Establishment and pilot opening of the interpretative centres

Activity Group 2: Capacity Building and Cross-Border Institutional Cooperation (Result 2)

2.1 Joint training programmes for cultural institution staff

2.2 Interpret Europe certification

2.3 Structured cooperation with tourism stakeholders

2.4 Establishment of long-term cross-border cooperation mechanisms

Activity Group 3: Joint Promotion and Visibility of the Cross-Border Tourism Offer (Result 3)

3.1 Design of a new itinerary and a joint cross-border promotional campaign plan

3.2 Promotion – digital promotion and organisation of public events, guided tours and thematic exhibitions
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