PROJECT SUMMARY
Programme name CBC Programme Serbia–North Macedonia 2021-2027 (IPA III)
Call for proposals 1st Call for Proposals, EuropeAid/182708/IH/ACT/Multi
Contract No. and date of signature 001920833 2024 10520 028 004 000 001-1  signed on 26.06.2026
Title of the project “From the Past to the Future”
Programme priority axis TP 2: Encouraging tourism and cultural and natural heritage
Programme specific objective 2.1: Enhancement of cultural and natural heritage for sustainable tourism development
Project budget Total project value in EUR € 624,753.71 EU contribution in EUR incl. percentage € 499,303.17 (79.92%)
Grant beneficiaries Lead applicant

City of Leskovac (Serbia)

 Co-applicants

Municipality of Kriva Palanka (MK); National Museum Leskovac (RS); Centre for Development of Jablanica and Pcinja Districts (RS)
Project territory North Macedonia

North-East Region: municipalities of Kratovo, Lipkovo, Kumanovo, Staro Nagoricane, Rankovce and Kriva Palanka

 Serbia

Jablanica district: City of Leskovac and municipalities of Bojnik, Lebane, Medvedja, Vlasotince and Crna Trava
Project target groups 20 public tourism actors (10 LSGs and their administrations; 10 institutions in cultural/historical heritage); 15 private tourism actors (SMEs and entrepreneurs – tour operators, hotels, restaurants, local food and craft producers); 10 other local and regional actors (5 organizations for sustainable tourism and nature protection; 5 CSOs and business associations); 1,260 visitors/tourists (60% men and 40% women)
Project duration Signed 26.06.2026 | Duration: 24 months (start/end dates to be confirmed upon prefinancing)
Project intervention logic Overall objective (impact): To improve the sustainable and integrative valorisation and cross-linking of cultural and natural heritage in the Jablanica district, Serbia and the North-East Region, North Macedonia.  Specific objective 1 (outcome 1): To enhance and preserve the common cultural and natural heritage in the targeted area through identification of regional resources and sustainable activation of the historical site of the Textile Museum in Leskovac and the thematic route to the Monastery of St. Joachim Osogovski in Kriva Palanka. Specific objective 2 (outcome 2): To enhance the capacities of public and private tourism actors in the targeted area through collaboration and transfer of know-how in the protection, management and valorisation of cultural and natural heritage.  Expected results: 1.1 Common cultural and natural heritage mapped, analysed and new smart perspectives for protection and valorisation introduced 1.2 Increased attractiveness of the Textile Museum in Leskovac and the thematic route to the Monastery of St. Joachim Osogovski in Kriva Palanka 1.3 Unique value of common cultural and historical heritage presented and promoted 2.1 New mechanism for cooperation and transfer of know-how in heritage management introduced (Network of public and private tourism actors) 2.2 Increased capacities of public and private tourism actors for common heritage preservation and management
Main activities 1.1.1 Project management and coordination | 1.1.2 Purchase of equipment sets | 1.1.3 Research and development of knowledge base | 1.2.1 Small-scale investments in rehabilitation and accessibility of the thematic route to the Monastery of St. Joachim Osogovski in Kriva Palanka | 1.2.2 Small-scale investments in rehabilitation and revitalisation of the Textile Museum Complex in Leskovac | 1.2.3 Development of a virtual digital tour – “Historical Walk-through textile industry in Leskovac” | 1.3.1 Development of promotional and visibility tools | 1.3.2 Organisation of joint information/promotion events | 1.3.3 Organisation of cultural events (creative workshops “Historical Walk-through”) for children | 2.1.1 Organisation of cross-border cooperation and knowledge exchange events | 2.1.2 Organisation of a study visit (Slovenia–Italy or Austria) | 2.2.1 Joint cross-border training of trainers for heritage preservation and management