Rural Tourism for Economic Development of the Cross-Border Area 2016–2017

Project Information

Full project title	Rural Tourism for Economic Development of the Cross-Border Area
Donor	EU – IPA CBC MNE–KOS (Cross-border Cooperation)
Project Value	€258,000.00
Donor Contribution	€217,000.00
Implementation Period	15.01.2016 – 15.07.2017

Project Overview

The general objective of this project was to drive economic development within the program area through cross-border cooperation and joint initiatives. The project focused on the sustainable valorization of tourism, forestry, and agricultural potentials, with a special emphasis on revitalizing mountain pastures (katuns) as a unique cultural and natural resource.

Main Objectives:

Economic valorization of katuns as catalysts for regional agriculture and tourism.
Improving essential infrastructure in high-altitude mountain areas.
Empowering rural populations to provide professional and competitive tourism services.

Key Results

1. Infrastructure Enhancement in Katuns
The thematic “Katun Road” trail was established with comprehensive tracing and signage. To improve living and hosting conditions, 49 households were equipped with solar power systems, and specialized rest areas and camps were constructed in 5 key katuns along the route.

2. Human Capacity Building
A series of specialized training sessions were conducted for rural households to elevate the quality of their tourism offer. A study visit was organized, providing service providers with direct insight into regional best practices and successful business models.

3. Promotion and Visibility
A diverse promotional package was developed to highlight the unique values of katun life. This included a dedicated web portal, high-quality video materials, billboards, and informational boards. Additionally, promotional tours were organized for tourism agencies to foster direct market linkages.