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Transformation with Trans Dinarica - Phase 2

Description

 

The Danube region, spanning from Austria to Montenegro, is a remarkably diverse part of Europe, connecting highly developed areas with regions facing economic challenges. The challenges faced by the region are primarily driven by economic disparities, resulting in a concerning rise in depopulation and negative migration trends. Lingering effects of past conflicts, particularly in the Balkans, continue to hinder recovery efforts. In Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Serbia, factors such as high unemployment rates, slow economic growth, and a lack of job opportunities have compelled many individuals, especially the younger population, to seek better prospects abroad. On a positive note, the region holds significant tourism potential, stemming from its preserved natural and cultural heritage, scenic mountains, the Adriatic Sea, numerous rivers, and exceptional gastronomic offerings. However, these potentials are left untapped due to the lack of capacity among tourism stakeholders and poor governance in sustainable tourism practices, thus leaving tourism with minimal impact on the local economies and communities living in undeveloped areas of the Balkans.


One of the unexploited potentials is the Trans Dinarica (TD) cycling route, a 3364km trail spreading from Slovenia to Macedonia, prioritizing sustainable exploration of UNESCO sites, national parks, and villages. The entire route has been meticulously mapped within the EDGE project by the UNDP, accessing rural and underdeveloped areas aiming to become a tourism backbone for inland villages, thus bringing wealth and jobs to the locals. The route is trademarked and brand-protected. Thanks to coverage by Lonely Planet and National Geographic, TD is already globally popular, but unfortunately, it is still nothing more than a digital map, offering no extra benefits for people or society living along the route.

The project activities provide the accomplishment of three main objectives:

1. Increase social and economic impacts of TD bike route
2. Enhance accessibility of the TD cycling route by integrating it with the Alpe-Adria route
3. Ensure long term impact and sustainability of the project results


Research objectives:
The project’s overall objective is to improve TD by enhancing the social and economic impact of tourism and improving accessibility of the route by connecting it to the Alpe Adria cycling route.

 

Cyclists in Montenegro (photo credit: Matevž Hribar)
 


Project Stages

1.    Increase social and economic impacts of Trans Dinarica bike route

The aim of this strategic objective is to enhance the economic and social impact of the existing TD cycling route, thereby creating revenue opportunities for businesses, generating employment, and improving the well-being of people living in undeveloped and underdeveloped regions of the Balkans. Additionally, this strategic objective aims to ensure accessibility for people with disabilities, preserve natural and cultural heritage, and enhance environmental sustainability and responsibility within the tourist industry. This objective will be achieved through several key components: Development and testing of a joint methodology to increase the social and economic impact of TD, creation of the TD certification scheme, implementation of TransDinarica2people, designed to reinvest a portion of stakeholder revenues back into the community, establishment of TD HUBS to provide additional assistance and support. This strategic objective will be led by ZRC SAZU.

2.    Enhance accessibility of the TD cycling route by integrating it with the Alpe-Adria route

This strategic objective seeks to improve accessibility and boost visitor numbers along the TD cycling route by integrating it with the Alpe Adria cycling route (415 km, 1.8 million visitors), thereby establishing an innovative tourism attraction: the Alpe Adria-TD cycling route. The anticipated increase in visitor numbers will generate greater economic impact, creating additional opportunities and jobs for local residents. As part of this goal, we will identify and map sections of the route suitable for individuals with disabilities, especially those using handcycles, to ensure inclusivity and equal access for all visitors.

3.    Ensure long term impact and sustainability of the project results

In this phase, the partnership is committed to promoting project outcomes, sharing experiences, tools, models, lessons learned, and best practices in tourism management and policies with diverse populations across different Danube regions. To ensure the effective dissemination and mainstreaming of project results, we will develop the Transnational dissemination, capitalization, and mainstreaming strategy, supported by activities such as publishing articles in popular international press outlets like Lonely Planet, organizing dissemination conferences for transnational stakeholders, hosting study trips for government and press representatives, facilitating TD breakfast roundtables, conducting the Accessible TD conference focused on cycling with disabilities, establishing the TD community network, and arranging TD people-to-people events.

 

Project budget: 2.210.550,00 EUR
Project budget for ZRC SAZU: 368.540,00 EUR

Project is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund in the framework of Interreg Danude Region Programme in amount of 1.768.440,00 EUR.


Research Project