SUSTOURISM: Sustainable partnership for popularization and preservation of the cultural and historical heritage in the cross-border region Greece-Bulgaria

Acronym: SUSTOURISM
Start Date: 29/06/2026
End Date: 28/06/2028
Call: 1ST CALL_CALL FOR COMMON PROJECT PROPOSALS - STAGE B
Type: Ordinary

Priority

PRIORITY 3 - A more Inclusive Greece-Bulgaria Cross Border Territory

Policy Objective

04 - A more social and inclusive Europe implementing the European Pillar of Social Rights

Specific Objective

RSO4.2. Improving equal access to inclusive and quality services in education, training and lifelong learning through developing accessible infrastructure, including by fostering resilience for distance and on-line education and training

Intervention Field

145. Support for the development of digital skills

Project Description

Summary

SUSTOURISM aims to enhance the cultural, social, and economic potential of the Ivailovgrad–Orestiada cross-border area by promoting sustainable and digitally enhanced cultural tourism.

The project will establish two Interactive Cultural Heritage Experience Centres in Ivailovgrad and Orestiada, featuring immersive technologies such as virtual reality, interactive exhibits, and digital storytelling to showcase the region’s shared heritage, traditions, and culture.

In addition, a cross-border mobile application with augmented reality will guide visitors through cultural sites, thematic routes, and local events. A Joint Strategic Plan for Sustainable and Inclusive Tourism will also be developed to support long-term cooperation, accessibility, climate resilience, and stronger links between heritage, local businesses, and communities.

Through these actions, SUSTOURISM will increase the visibility of the region, improve access to cultural heritage, stimulate local economies, and strengthen cross-border cooperation between Greece and Bulgaria.

Expected Results

SUSTOURISM will enhance the contribution of culture and sustainable tourism to economic development, social inclusion, and innovation in the Greece–Bulgaria cross-border area.

The project aims to increase the visibility, accessibility, and attractiveness of the region’s cultural heritage, contributing to 30,000 annual visits to supported cultural and tourism sites.

Through the Virtual Museums and the AR mobile application, visitors will enjoy interactive cross-border experiences that encourage longer stays, year-round tourism, and greater engagement with local heritage.

It will also promote inclusive tourism by improving accessibility for older adults and people with disabilities through accessible infrastructure and user-friendly digital tools.

In addition, the project will strengthen cooperation and institutional capacity through a Joint Strategic Plan for Sustainable and Inclusive Tourism, supporting coordinated investments and long-term policy development. Cultural exchange, community participation, and educational activities will further reinforce regional identity and cross-border cooperation.

Overall, SUSTOURISM will benefit tourists, local communities, SMEs, schools, NGOs, and public authorities, leaving a lasting impact on cultural cooperation, economic resilience, and territorial cohesion in the Ivailovgrad–Orestiada region.

Expected Outcomes

SUSTOURISM will deliver a range of tangible and intangible outputs that strengthen cross-border cooperation, promote shared cultural heritage, and support sustainable and inclusive tourism in the Ivailovgrad–Orestiada region. The project’s main outputs include:

The establishment of two Interactive Cultural Heritage Experience Centres in Ivailovgrad and Orestiada, equipped with immersive technologies, digital archives, interactive exhibitions, and accessible infrastructure. These centres will showcase the area’s shared cultural heritage and serve as hubs for education, tourism, and community engagement.
A second key output is a bilingual mobile application with augmented reality (AR), providing visitors with interactive cultural routes, digital storytelling, event information, and accessible tourism services. The application will connect heritage sites across the border and promote local attractions through innovative digital experiences.
A Joint Strategic Plan for Sustainable and Inclusive Tourism, establishing a common framework for future cooperation, accessibility improvements, climate resilience, cultural heritage promotion, and stronger links between tourism and local economies.
Cross-border cultural events, educational activities, and community engagement initiatives that promote cultural exchange, local traditions, social inclusion, and entrepreneurship.

These outputs will benefit tourists, local communities, SMEs, schools, NGOs, and public authorities, contributing to increased visitor numbers, economic diversification, cultural connectivity, and long-term territorial cohesion in the Greece–Bulgaria cross-border area.

Budget

Total:
1.847.160€ERDF:
1.477.728€National Funds:
369.432€Private Funds:
0€

Partnership

	Type	Country	Location of Activities
MUNICIPALITY OF IVAILOVGRAD	National / Regional / Local Authority	Bulgaria	BG422 - Haskovo
MUNICIPALITY OF ORESTIADA	Public	Greece	EL511 - Evros
COMMUNITY CENTER "PROBUDA 1914"	Public	Bulgaria	BG422 - Haskovo
RURAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT COMPANY OF NORTH EVROS S.A.	NGO / Non-Profit Organization	Greece	EL511 - Evros

Location of Activities

Social Media

Events

News

Multimedia

Distinctions

Keywords

MIS 6010656 , cultural tourism, sustainable tourism, cultural heritage, traditions, augmented reality, virtual reality

Deliverables

No Deliverables for that Project