Measure I.1– Improving the productivity and competitiveness of the area’s economic, rural and environmental resources.
Project Title: Support to the development of rural tourism destinations in Rajac and Vranica mountains
Project Budget:
| Project Value | EU Contribution | |
| Republic of Serbia | € 119,952.00 | € 95,961.00 |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | € 151,867.80 | € 121,494.24 |
| TOTAL | € 271,819.80 | € 217,455.24 |
Beneficiary of funds in the Republic of Serbia: Seoski turizam Srbije (Village Tourism Serbia)
Beneficiary of funds in Bosnia and Herzegovina: Caritas international Belgium (CI.be) Belgium
Partners:
Area of implementation:
- Serbia: Kolubarski County, Rajac Mountain, Ljig and Valjevo municipalities
- Bosnia and Herzegovina: Vranica Mountain, Fojnica and Kresevo Municipalities
The target groups of the project: Small scale family businesses involved in rural tourism, Municipal representatives and local institutions and Tourism offices, leaders and members of clubs and associations, local stakeholders in rural tourism
Project duration: 15.03.2011 – 15.03.2013
Project objectives:
The overall objectives:
-To revitalize the rural economy in BiH and Serbia in order alleviate poverty and reduce rural exodus trends.
– To support sustainable economic development strategies in both countries preserving natural resources, local identities and heritages.
– To support regional exchanges in Western Balkans for local communities to share their economical initiatives and comparative advantages.
– Support better professionalization in rural tourism sector by creating regional networks to have a better representation and access to market at a EU level;
The specific objectives of the project:
To support the development of rural tourism destinations in Rajac and Vranica mountains
Activities and results of the project
The project provided institutional support to rural tourism by enabling rural tourism organizations in Serbian and BiH to access professional European institutions.
Tourist destinations was developed through diversification of touristic offer, such as marking of hiking and cycling routes. 2 trails in total length of more than 100 km on the Rajac was marked and equipped with 30 wooden signposts, 30 benches, 3 tables and 4 information boards. That activity was done by partners and coordinated by mountaineer’s association “Pobeda”. Also, 15 rakia and kaymak producers (family businesses the Ljig municipality villages, Kolubarski County, Serbia) linked in a new tourism offer.
A mountain house in the Ljig area has been reconstructed for the use of mountaineers and tourists through activity renovation of rural heritage monuments.
One paragliding platform in form of a wooden shelter installed at the top of Rajac Mountain for paragliders. Also, it was provided for visitors to read weather information necessary for safe take-offs through installing meteorology device on the mountain lodge “Čika Duško Jovanović” on Rajac.
Active tourism offer was improved through purchasing 13 mounting bikes with spare parts and a play set for kids and are available for tourists and visitors of Ljig.
Rural Tourism actors in both territories have strengthened their competitiveness by improving their professional skills. 7 family businesses from Serbia trained in B&B management in rural tourism.
Project activities and results were promoted through joint blog, 4 joint cross border newsletters, improved existing web portal www.selo.rs, and organising promotion tour for journalist. Also, two publications were published for better promotion of local and regional offer.
Developing tourism in small villages of Central Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia holds the potential to raise incomes, create jobs and enhance diversification of rural economy. Project idea was to ensure an impact that will go beyond the border areas and will assist the two countries to capitalise on their rural tourism resources.
