About Project

The EU for Cultural Heritage and Tourism is a #EUzaTebe project aimed at developing tourism as a significant economic potential for the economic development of eastern Serbia and the Lower Danube region.

It is funded by the European Union and German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, with 15 million EUR and 1.6 million EUR respectively, and implemented by Deutsche Gesselschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit - GIZ.

The project focuses on eight towns and municipalities in Eastern Serbia and the Lower Danube region, namely: Smederevo, Požarevac, Kladovo, Negotin, Zaječar, Veliko Gradište, Golubac and Majdanpek.

Most of the project funds will be directed towards reconstruction and improvement of the infrastructure of important cultural heritage sites of Serbia and Europe.

The goal of the project

The goal of this part of the project is to improve and present the cultural heritage sites through conservation and construction works as one of the factors for improving the attractiveness of this region for tourists.

1. Felix Romuliana – Gamzigrad near Zaječar (remains of imperial palace protected by UNESCO). A visitor centre will be built at this archaeological site.
2. Fetislam fortress – Kladovo. Varoš Gate, the pertaining rampart and underground passages will be restored as part of the conservation work. A significant part of the works will also include the conservation of the entrance gate to the so called Small Fort, and the summer stage, and two circular towers in the rampart - fortification facing the Danube.
3. Rajačke pimnice – Negotin. Municipal infrastructure will be very much in focus of the works on this site proposed for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage list - construction of water supply and sewerage networks, installation of a new transformer station, power grid and public lighting, and paving of pedestrian paths in the complex.
4. National Theatre – Belgrade. Introduction of a modern and eco-friendly air-conditioning and ventilation system will contribute to meeting the highest standards in environmental protection and energy efficiency.

The second component aims at transferring knowledge on successful models of sustainable tourism development without adverse social impacts, through workshops, seminars, conferences, study tours, mentoring etc., stressing environmental and cultural heritage preservation. Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications of the Republic of Serbia and National Tourism Organisation of Serbia are the main project beneficiaries and partners, but special attention will be paid to organisations from Eastern Serbia and the Lower Danube region. The programme will also include representatives of local governments, local tourism organisations, organisations managing the sites, as well as representatives of private companies providing tourist services from towns and municipalities covered by the project.

Over the three years of its duration, the technical assistance and capacity building programme will address the following:

• Development of tourism products and services;
  
• Presentation and interpretation of cultural heritage;
  
• Joint promotion of Eastern Serbia and the Lower Danube region as domestic, regional and European tourist destination;
  
• Destination management and cooperation among tourism industry players;
  
• Management and self-sustainability of cultural heritage sites, and improving their attractiveness as tourist destinations.
  

 

The project’s third component includes grants awarded to local governments, citizens’ associations, and small and medium-sized entrepreneurs to enhance their economic and tourism-related capacities. The main goal to be achieved with awarding grants is to improve the quality of tourist offer of the Lower Danube region. The funds will be disbursed through four separate programmes, which differ from each other by the type of activities to be funded, and by the type of beneficiaries.

1. The grants aimed at municipalities and public institutions will cover activities such as minor infrastructure works directly affecting the attractiveness of the region for tourists, improvement of the tourist offer and quality of services, the promotion of Eastern Serbia and the Lower Danube region as tourist destination etc. The purpose of the grant is to improve cooperation of local tourism organisations and other tourism industry players in making the Lower Danube region a recognisable tourist destination.
2. Associations and organisations that cooperate directly, or have members the offer of which is a part of the region’s tourist offer will be eligible to apply for another group of grants aimed at capacity building of tourism operators to enhance the region’s tourist offer.
3. The third call is aimed at creative industry and cultural institutions. The aim is to introduce new, innovative tourist initiatives, improve the visibility of the region as      tourist destination and enhance the tourist offer.
4. The last group of grants is intended for the private sector, i.e. economic operators directly involved in the provision of tourism services. The purpose is to improve the quality of the tourist offer and involve more and more entrepreneurs in the tourism industry.

The goal of the fourth project component is to raise visibility and attractiveness of Eastern Serbia and the Lower Danube region as tourist destinations for potential visitors from Serbia, the region and Europe, through marketing campaigns in the country and abroad; participation in national and foreign fairs; placement of promotional content in national and foreign media and the like.