Project title: HERITAGE – Heritage Enhancement and Revitalization through Innovative Tourism Approaches for Growth and Engagement.
Programme priority: 4 – Sustainable and inclusive tourism and culture.
Specific objective: RSO4.6 Enhancing the role of culture and sustainable tourism in economic development, social inclusion and social innovation.
Project is co-funded by the Programme INTERREG VI-A IPA Croatia-Bosnia and Herzegovina-Montenegro.
General information about the project:
Lead partner: Municipality of Andrijaševci (Croatia)
Project partners: City of Novi Travnik (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Tourist Organization of Podgorica (Montenegro)
Project ID: HR-BA-ME00798
Total project budget: 2.156.644,00 EUR
EU co-financing: 1.833.147,40 EUR (85,00 %)
Project implementation period: 15.07.2026.- 14.07.2028.
Project duration: 24 months
Project objective:
To foster prosperity in cross-border areas of Andrijaševci, Travnik and Podgorica through cultural heritage revitalization and sustainable tourism innovation, achieved by reconstructing and modernizing key heritage sites while strengthening institutional capacities, creating transnational cooperation frameworks, developing joint tourism offerings based on shared medieval legacy and smart tourism solutions generating lasting economic benefits and social inclusion for local communities.
Project summary:
The main challenge that HERITAGE aims to tackle is the underutilization of significant medieval cultural heritage across the cross-border region of Vukovar-Srijem County (Croatia), Srednjobosanski kanton (Bosnia and Herzegovina) and the Podgorica area (Montenegro), where heritage sites of exceptional historical value remain disconnected from structured tourism value chains.
The causes that limit tourism potential in this cross-border area include fragmented tourism infrastructure, pronounced seasonal concentration that leaves rural communities economically vulnerable outside the peak season, and inadequate digitalization and innovation in the tourism and cultural sectors, which hinder the region’s competitiveness in attracting modern travellers.
By addressing this challenge, HERITAGE will transform Rokovačke zidine in Andrijaševci, Maculje Necropolis in the Travnik area, and Fortress Ribnica in Podgorica from underutilized heritage assets into a connected, digitally enhanced and sustainable cross-border tourism destination, while strengthening institutional capacities and creating a lasting transnational cooperation framework.
The project is implemented in partnership by the Municipality of Andrijaševci (Lead Partner), the City of Novi Travnik and the Tourist Organization of Podgorica, whose complementary expertise in heritage management, digital innovation and tourism development is essential, as the three medieval sites share a historical narrative that transcends modern borders.
Project will produce five main outputs:
- Cultural Heritage Innovation Platform (CHIP) – a formal cross-border cooperation network of 60+ stakeholders from cultural institutions, tourism operators and public authorities, sustained through a cooperation agreement beyond project completion.
- Three enhanced heritage sites – restored Rokovačke zidine featuring AR-powered “Time Traveler’s Tours” and solar-powered infrastructure; the “Maculje: Stone Witnesses of Time” interactive exhibition space with VR experiences; and a digitally modernized Fortress Ribnica with interactive interpretation and audio-visual systems.
- “Tri-Border Heritage Trail: Connecting Medieval Landmarks” – an integrated cross-border tourism route linking the three sites through thematic itineraries and digital navigation tools.
- A capacity building programme delivering specialised training to 90+ tourism professionals through cross-border study visits and workshops.
- Cross-Border Heritage Tourism Package – offered in three variations (Medieval Heritage Explorer, Digital Discovery Journey, and Accessible Heritage Experience) targeting different market segments under unified quality standards.
Beyond the partnership, local communities, tourism operators, cultural institutions and visitors across the three countries will benefit from the enhanced heritage sites and new digital tourism products.
CONTACT PERSON:
Vuk Vujošević
Tel: [+382 67 000 235]
E-mail: [vuk.vujosevic@podgorica.travel]
This website is co-funded by the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of <Tourist Organisation of Podgorica> and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.
