Capacity Building Academy X

Our Croatian partner, KKZ presented its development plan for the 2021–2027 period at this year’s first Capacity Building Academy session. The regional authority aims to revitalise cultural and natural heritage and to promote further investments in tourism. Furthermore, KKZ’s mission is to be an economically strong, green and connected county with a recognizable identity, natural and cultural heritage, prosperous for life and work. It also wants to be more connected to the circular economy and be more socially sensitive. By working together with a wide range of stakeholders (e.g. municipalities, educational and cultural institutions, health and social institutions, public bodies, tourism boards, NGOs, SMEs and companies), KKZ aims to reach cities and their citizens across the region.

Among others, the county highlighted several projects that focus on cycling tourism. One example is IBC - Inclusive Border Cycling, which is a transnational cooperation that aims to unlock the natural and cultural potential of disadvantaged cross-border regions by strengthening and further developing cycling routes across the Danube Region. Through the development of innovative and tailored tourism products, the initiative enables new forms of cycle tourism that respond to diverse needs and abilities. IBC is structured around several thematic strands, one of which being the ‘IBC Stories’. It focuses on collecting, defining and testing local narratives, including medieval legends, historical accounts from the Ottoman period, Marian devotion, and mythological traditions of the Podravina region. On the other hand, the ‘IBC Brands’ activities integrate local products through workshops on destination development and innovative tourism products along the EuroVelo 13 route.

A wide range of volunteer programmes are also part of KKZ’s vision. The goal is to bring together older generations and young people with disabilities to share traditional skills and experiences. Through hands-on activities in art, crafts and local gastronomy, these programmes promote inclusion, intergenerational learning and the preservation of local heritage.

Cover photo credit: Goran Šafarek