The transnational project “Culture trAnSforming communiTies and economies” (CAST) aims to use the rich cultural heritage of the Danube Region to enhance social inclusion and drive economic growth as part of the green transition.
Project partners from eleven countries in the Danube region will develop a model to support local communities in offering inclusive cultural activities and sustainable tourism products. Through pilot actions, the model will be tested and validated in diverse settings, ensuring its applicability and effectiveness across various cultural landscapes.
What makes CAST original is its emphasis on the process of training and capacity building as integral to the model itself, ensuring that communities not only adopt the framework but are equipped to implement it effectively.
By mainstreaming the model at various policy levels and identifying funding channels for EU and private investment, the project will ensure a broader uptake, putting the vision of a socially just and green transition into practice.
Project partners:
Iskriva, Institute for Development of Local potentials, Slovenia
Nice and homely, Slovenia
Koprivnica Križevci County, Croatia
Tourism Organization of Vojvodina, Serbia
Urban Cult, Montenegro
Savaria Museum, Hungary
The Collective, Bulgaria
Transylvania Trust Foundation, Romania
Kolárovo, Slovakia
National Inbound and Domestic Tourism Association of Moldova
Development Agency Zepce, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Budget: €2,761,660 (the project CAST is co-funded by the European Union, Interreg Danube Region)

These cycling trails cross rural, mostly peripheral areas, plagued by multiple socio-economic problems that affect the attractiveness and thereby the potential positive local and regional impact of the routes and related economic activities. The Inclusive Border Cycling project aims to tackle these challenges by innovating social inclusion: by valorising local cultural assets and focusing on including vulnerable groups in cycling tourism. Pilot activities based on endogenous resources – storytelling along trails, integrating locally produced food and craft brands to trail offers, voluntary actions and route maintenance initiatives and appropriate cycling offers targeting the silver age tourists and disadvantaged youth, accompanied by joint transnational marketing and promotional activities are expected to lead to a more accessible and inclusive network of border cycling trails with a higher European acceptance.

IBC Partners:
Hungary Westpannon Regional and Economic Development Public Nonprofit Ltd. (
Slovakia Ekopolis Foundation
Austria Trail Angels GmbH
Austria Tourism Association Thermal- & Vulkanland
Slovenia Arctur computer engineering d.o.o.
Slovenia Development Centre Murska Sobota
Slovenia Iskriva, Institute for Development of Local Potentials
Hungary CROST Regional Development Nonprofit Ltd
Croatia Association for Nature and Environment Protection Green Osijek
Croatia Koprivnica Križevci County
Croatia Tourism Board of Međimurje County
Serbia Municipality of Apatin
Serbia City of Sombor
Romania Timis County Council (RO)
Romania National Institute for Research and Development in Tourism (RO)
Moldova Biosphere Reserve “Prutul de Jos”

EU Funding: 2.189.755,20 EUR

Iskriva (Interreg Funds, ERDF ): 162.091,20 EUR

Website of the project: https://interreg-danube.eu/projects/ibc

The main objective of BauNOW is to improve the planning and implementation capacity of public and private stakeholders to finance actions that support GJT towards climate neutral and resilient liveable areas. Through new, integrated development practices and improved access to finance for GJTs, both the public and private sectors in MED project areas will identify the business and development potential of GJTs and turn them into their new BaU. The GJT Dashboard is a project solution that will facilitate this process. An easy-to-use web-based tool with a step-by-step methodology on how to design, finance and implement GJTs at the local or regional level, it will serve public authorities, practitioners and the private sector. It will be validated through a bottom-up methodology in 9 pilot areas in 7 Mediterranean countries, leading to concrete actions in support of GJTs.

SLOVENIA Geodetic Institute of Slovenia
SLOVENIA Iskriva, Institute for Development of Local Potentials
CROATIA Regional Energy Agency North
CROATIA Municipality of Legrad
ITALY Kyoto Club
FRANCE Geres, Group for the Environment, Renewable Energy and Solidarity
BOSNIA AND Development Agency of Una-Sana Canton
HERZEGOVINA
BOSNIA AND City of Cazin
HERZEGOVINA
MONTENEGRO University of Donja Gorica
ALBANIA Agricultural University of Tirana

EU funding: 2.012.123,14 EUR

Iskriva (Interreg Funds, ERDF ): 288.336,00 EUR

Website of the project: https://baunow.interreg-euro-med.eu/

The main objective of the project is to develop a new multi-level governance model for integrating green investments into sustainable territorial development in the Danube Region. Through the functional cooperation of public authorities, civil society and the private, investment and financial sectors, the model will lead to improved capacities of cities and regions to promote and implement investments in more responsible land use practices as a basis for a new green and equitable economy. This will be achieved through a robust and scalable Green Investment Model, a set of tools that will enable cities in the Danube Region to integrate green investments. The model will be developed through bottom-up participatory processes at three different spatial scales in ten pilot areas reflecting the diversity of socio-economic conditions in the Danube Region. The model will be refined and scaled up through the NONA Academy, which will support local communities in the Danube Region in planning and financing their green and fair transition processes and provide access to green investments through the Danube Green Investment Hub. NONA offers a new perspective on development. It provides a new governance model that supports the implementation of a paradigm shift in development planning and opens up opportunities for the public, private, investment and financial sectors to re-evaluate the principles of investment and to identify the potential of green investments to achieve more sustainable territorial development in the Danube Region. NONA is the flagship project of the NEB New European Bauhaus on the Danube Lab, which aims to put into practice concrete solutions that enable a green transition in line with NEB values in the Danube Region.

SLOVENIA Geodetic Institute of Slovenia
SLOVENIA Iskriva, Institute for Development of Local Potentials
SLOVENIA Municipality of Ravne Na Koroškem
GERMANY Biberach University of Applied Sciences, Institute for Architecture and Urbanism
GERMANY Stuttgart Region Association
BULGARIA The Collective Foundation
BULGARIA Gabrovo Municipality
BULGARIA Bulgaria Economic Forum
CROATIA International Development Agency
CROATIA The City of Virovitica
ROMANIA Urbasofia s.r.l.
ROMANIA Cluster of Education C-EDU Cluj
HUNGARY Municipality of Town Veszprém with County Rank

EU funding: 2.368.156,00 EUR

Iskriva (Interreg Funds, ERDF ):  191.540,00 EUR

Website of the project: https://interreg-danube.eu/projects/nona

LIFE Programme

Project overview

RECET aims to support and enhance administrations’ and stakeholders’ capacity in rural regions to play a strong role in accelerating the green transition, while ensuring local acceptance. Through a capacity building process, the project will strengthen technical and social skills to accelerate local climate action, reinforce cooperation across all sectors, facilitate the delivery of realistic local and regional plans that will be implemented and disseminate best practices for successful local stakeholder and community engagement and implementation. Special emphasis is put on the role of regional planning as a successful tool to implement clean energy transition policies. By reinforcing capacity locally RECET supports rural European regions in socio-economic transformations that will deliver on the climate ambition and spark local growth, carving a prosperous pathway for strong and resilient rural communities.

Budget

EU Funds: 1 499 337.50 €

Project partnership

Lead Partner
Icelandic New Energy

Address
Grensasvegi 9,
108 Reykjavik

Country
Iceland

Web
www.newenergy.is

Contact
Zdravko Kozinc
E-Mail: zdravko.kozinc@iskriva.net
Phone: +386 40 187430

ICTr-CE at a glance

The potential of transnational cycling routes for tourism is still underdeveloped in central Europe. This includes the Iron Curtain Eurovelo Trail, which connects regions from Poland to Croatia along the European Green Belt. The ICTr-CE project improves the business case for this route by developing new tourism products. These result from a newly developed participatory business model, which strengthens the innovation capacities of local businesses

AUSTRIA              Kärnten

BELGIUM            Région de Bruxelles-Capitale/ Brussels Hoofdstedelijk Gewest

CROATIA             Sjeverna Hrvatska

CZECHIA              Jihovýchod

GERMANY           Nordrhein-Westfalen

HUNGARY           Közép-Dunántúl | Nyugat-Dunántúl

POLAND              Pomorskie | Warszawski stołeczny

SLOVAKIA            Stredné Slovensko

SLOVENIA           Zahodna Slovenija

The project aims to design a new product based on the symbology and values of the 5-country UNESCO biosphere reserve Mura-Drava-Donava.  The product will integrate the cultural programme of the cultural institutions, research on the cultural heritage, and the development of own skills in the destination of Amazon of Europe. We intend to design the product as a group experience for families, friends, tourists, and businesses.

Role of Institute Iskriva:

– strategic project management

– development of new innovative tourism product

– promotion of new products

In Pomurje, we created three new experiences during the project:

1. Cycling along the Mura river and in the wild trails of the European Amazon.
2. The adventure of discovering the European Amazon.
3. Competence building through European Amazon teambuilding.

For a detailed programme and reservation please send your request to <a href=”mailto:info@aoebiketrail.com”>info@aoebiketrail.com</a>.

Follow our <a href=”https://www.facebook.com/zavodiskriva”>Facebook</a> page for the latest project news.

EU Interreg Danube Transnational Programme

The main objective of the project is to establish a responsible green destination “Amazon of Europe” to develop high-quality tourism, with a response to limited ecosystem resources.

As a lead partner, Institute Iskriva is responsible for:
– the development of the common strategy and tourism products of The Amazing Amazon of Europe
– strategic project management

EU funds: 2.195.000,00 EUR
Contractor: Institute Iskriva
Website of the project: http://www.interreg-danube.eu/approved-projects/amazing-aoe

EU Interreg Danube Transnational Programme

The lifelineMDD project aims to improve ecological connectivity and biodiversity in the Mura-Drava-Danube river corridor by renaturing natural river dynamics. The aim of the project is to create a common database for the 5-country biosphere reserve and to promote cross-sectoral cooperation at the level of five countries – Austria, Slovenia, Hungary, Croatia and Serbia.

Role of Institute Iskriva:
– creation of a platform to connect stakeholders of the future 5-country biosphere reserve Mura-Drava-Danube
– support and advice to the lead partner in financial management

EU funds: 2.679.104,89 EUR
Contractor: World Wildlife Fund Austria – WWF Austria
Website of the project: http://www.interreg-danube.eu/approved-projects/lifelinemdd

Interreg Alpine Space

The main objective of the project is to establish an online platform that will enable the identification of the risk of drought, the degree of economic consequences of drought in the area and its real-time development. Through testing of good practices in six pilot areas, recommendations will be made to raise the level of preparedness in the various affected sectors (agriculture, forestry, water supply, tourism, …) to this natural disaster.

Role of Institute Iskriva:
– management of communication activities
– assistance in the preparation of legislative guidelines

EU funds: 1.760.815,90 EUR
Contractor: European Academy of Bozen-Bolzano – Eurac Research, Italy
Website of the project: https://www.alpine-space.eu/projects/ado/en/home

Interreg Central Europe

The project aims to strengthen the integration of migrants in Central Europe by providing financially secure and independent businesses run by migrants and to encourage social innovation in urban centers. The main objective of the project is to promote enterprises led by migrants and contribute to increasing their accountability and competitiveness in the market.

The role of Institute Iskriva:
– management of communication activities

EU funds: 2.126.052,14 EUR
Contractor: Fondazione Politecnico di Milano, Italy
Website of the project: https://www.interreg-central.eu/Content.Node/SEE-ME-IN.html

EU Interreg Danube Transnational Programme

The main objective of the project is to strengthen and improve the SavaParks network of protected areas, which was established in 2015, in order to jointly respond to the challenges of nature conservation in the SavaParks river area.

The role of The Iskriva Institute:
– planning and implementing stakeholder involvement and strengthening the SavaParks network
– preparation of tools for effective project management
– support for strategic, financial and administrative management of the project

EU funds: 1.604.137,00 EUR
Contractor: EuroNatur Foundation, Germany
Website of the project: http://www.interreg-danube.eu/approved-projects/sava-ties

EU Interreg Danube Transnational Programme

AThe Amazon of Europe Bike Trail is the first development project in UNESCO’s five-country biosphere reserve Mura-Drava-Danube, the best preserved river system in Europe. We have established a remote cycle path with a single brand and marking, which is 1,250 km long and runs from Austria via Slovenia, Hungary and Croatia to Serbia. All project information is available at: www.aoebiketrail.com.

As a leading partner, Institute Iskriva is responsible for:
– strategic project management
– marketing and communication

EU funds: 3.049.560,00 EUR
Contractor: Institute Iskriva
Website of the project: https://aoebiketrail.com/

EU Interreg V-A – Slovenia – Croatia

GThe main objective of the project is to establish tourism products that present abandoned industrial heritage in an innovative way.

The role of Institute Iskriva:
– production of the document Stakeholder Involvement Plan
– production of the document Joint long-term cooperation plan
– assistance with project management

EU funds: 1.508.000,00 EUR
Contractor: Municipality of Trbovlje, Slovenia
Website of the project: https://inspiracija.eu/?lang=sl

Interreg V-A – Slovenia – Croatia

The main objective of the project is to ensure the sustainability of the conservation and restoration of target species in the Natura 2000 areas of Solato, Kolpa, NP Risnjak, Radenna polje and Kamačnik Canyon.

The role of Institute Iskriva:
– assistance and advice on substantive and financial management

EU funds: 2.553.908,00 EUR
Contractor: Municipality of Grosuplje, Slovenia
Website of the project: https://vezinarave.si/

Interreg V-A – Slovenia – Croatia

The aim of the project is to preserve the natural and cultural heritage of the karst landscape and to create a new sustainable destination KRASn’KRŠ.

The role of Institute Iskriva:
– preparation of the project communication plan
– preparation of tools for effective project management
– support for strategic, financial and administrative management of the project

EU funds: 1.524.792,25 EUR
Contractor: Research Center
of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts – ZRC SAZU, Slovenia
Website of the project: https://www.facebook.com/krasnkrs/

Interreg V-A – Slovenia – Croatia

The main objective of the project is to ensure the active preservation of the folk tales tradition of Pohorje and Istria with a view to increase the visibility of neglected areas and create opportunities for development.

The role of Institute Iskriva:
– planning and implementing public involvement in project activities in the Pohorje area
– preparation of tools for effective project management – support for strategic,
– financial and administrative management of the project.

EU funds: 926.678,47 EUR
Contractor: Development and Information Center – RIC Slovenska Bistrica, Slovenia
Website of the project: http://zivacoprnija.com/

Interreg V-A – Slovenia – Croatia

The main objective of the project is to establish a culinary transversal from Panonija to the Adriatic, which will offer visitors a unique experience of indigenous traditions, customs and cuisine.

The role of Institute Iskriva:
– production of a document Joint strategy for establishing cross-border culinary transversal from Panonija to the Adriatic and carrying out workshops with heritage communities
– preparation of tools for effective project management
– support for strategic, financial and administrative management of the project

EU funds: 1.593.700,00 EUR
Contractor: Biotechnical educational Center – BIC Ljubljana, Slovenia
Website of the project: https://www.uzivam-tradicijo.eu/si/

EU Interreg Danube Transnational Programme

The main objective of the project is to improve capacity to strengthen the territorial attractiveness of the Danube region.

The role of Institute Iskriva:
– planning and running workshops for delegates and training for partners
– integration of policies for cross-sectoral development of planning
– strategic management, planning and implementation of the stakeholder cooperation process in the implementation of the project at international level

EU funds: 1.860.000,00 EUR
Contractor: Geodetic institute of Slovenia – GIS
Website of the project: http://www.interreg-danube.eu/approved-projects/attractive-danube

EU Interreg Danube Transnational Programme

The main objective of the project is to establish a strategic and operational framework for cross-border nature protection, reconstruction and management of the Mura-Drava-Danube river corridor in all five countries (Austria, Slovenia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia) as a basis for joint management of the future five-country biosphere reserve of the Mura-Drava-Danube.

The role of Institute Iskriva:
– support for strategic project management
– planning and supporting the stakeholder involvement process in the implementation of the project at international, national and local level
– planning capitalisation activities for the sustainability of project results

EU funds: 2.154.000,00 EUR
Contractor: World Wildlife Fund Austria – WWF Austria
Website of the project: http://www.interreg-danube.eu/approved-projects/coop-mdd

Horizon 2020

The aim of the project is to develop the possibility of using aquatic ecosystems to reduce economic damage and protect people from water-related risks (droughts and floods). In doing so, it develops and tests the concepts, tools, equipment and instruments that are needed.

The role of Institute Iskriva:
– implementation of the communication and dissemination plan
– management of effective informing of identified stakeholder groups

EU funds: 5.081.176,00 EUR
Contractor: Confederación Hidrográfica del Duero – CHD, Spain
Website of the project: http://naiad2020.eu/

Interreg V-A – Slovenia – Croatia

The main objective of the project is the development of sustainable family tourism in the cross-border area of Slovenia and Croatia on the basis of an interpretation of natural and cultural heritage.

The role of Institute Iskriva:
– preparation of tools for effective project management
– support for strategic, financial and administrative management of the project

EU funds: 1.221.544,00 EUR
Contractor: Municipality of Slovenska Bistrica, Slovenia
Website of the project: http://enjoyheritage.eu/

Interreg MED Programme 2014

CThe aim of the project is to increase the share of local renewable energy sources and energy blend strategies and plans in 11 Mediterranean regions.

The role of Institute Iskriva:
– preparation and implementation of the communication plan
– strategic, administrative and financial management
– internal and external control and evaluation of the project

EU funds: 2.551.244,00 EUR
Contractor: Chamber of Agriculture and Forestry of Slovenia – Institute of Agriculture and Forestry – KGZ Maribor, Slovenia
Website of the project: https://compose.interreg-med.eu/

Life programme

The purpose of the project is to improve the status of some of the most endangered habitat types in Slovenia. The aim of the project is to develop opportunities for the re-cultivation of abandoned agricultural areas.

The role of Institute Iskriva:
– analysis of the impact of project activities on ecosystem services of dry grasslands in project sub-areas
– mapping and evaluating selected ecosystem services in project sub-areas after carrying out concrete activities on the ground

EU funds: 3.898.582,00 EUR
Contractor: Institute of the Republic of Slovenia for Nature Conservation – ZRSVN
Website of the project: http://www.lifetograsslands.si/

Horizon 2020

The aim of the project is to develop a concept and methodology for protecting mineral deposits of public importance.

The role of Institute Iskriva:
– planning and implementation of the stakeholder integration process in developing the concept of mineral deposits of public importance at EU level

EU funds: 2.092.689,00 EUR
Contractor: Agency for international mineral policy Minpol Gmbh, Austria
Website of the project: https://minatura2020.eu/

Mediterranean Programme 2007-2013

The main objective of the project is to improve the implementation of local public policies and strategies related to energy efficiency in cities and local communities of Mediterranean (European) countries.

The role of Iskriva Institute:
– Preparation of the Practical Guide for Implementing Effective Local Energy Action Plans.
– strategic guidance and steering of the process of producing key deliverables

EU funding: EUR 1.835.000,00

South-East Europe Transnational Cooperation Programme 2007-2013

The project aims at international cross-sectoral networking of stakeholders in river corridor areas in South-Eastern Europe. The project aims at raising the level of knowledge on river corridor management by combining development and environmental approaches. The project has resulted in the SEE River Toolkit – a tool for integrative management of international river corridors.

Iskriva Institute’s role:
– Strategic leadership and guidance for the process of producing key deliverables.
– Participation in the design, organisation and delivery of the final conference

EU funding: EUR 2,107,354.30
Contracting authority: Water Institute of the Republic of Slovenia
Project website: http://www.see-river.net/

Life+ programme

The project aims to establish ecosystem restoration measures in the Lower Drava area, with a focus on the protection of waterbirds.
The role of the Iskriva Institute:

– Coordination of the implementation of the project task.

– Preparation of the expert basis for the sustainable management of the Drava area for the preparation of the NMP for the period 2016 – 2021.

EU funding: EUR 4 098 910
Contracting authority: Doops – Association for Bird Observation and Bird Studies of Slovenia
Project website: https://livedrava.ptice.si/

European Territorial Cooperation Programme, Eastern Europe 2007-2013

The project aims to ensure a sustainable supply of aggregates. The project aims to develop tools for aggregate management planning in the South East Europe region.

Role of Iskriva Institute:
– Preparation of a manual on Stakeholder Consultation in the Implementation of Best Practices for Sustainable Planning of Stone Aggregates Supply.
– Strategic leadership and guidance for the process of producing key deliverables

EU funding: EUR 1,733,928.00
Client: University of Leoben, Austria
Project website: http://www.snapsee.eu/