Description
The project is aimed at support of cooperation between partner organisations on both sides of the border through mutual realisation of activities on prepared Carpathian portal and its versions for cell phones in the form of an application for various types of operating system - Android and Apple. The objective is gaining information about the region of East-Slovakia and the Transcarpathian region for domestic and foreign visitors, propagation of local culture and sporting activities of interested regions and all of this at one place on the internet and the cell phone. Achievements - various platforms for the gathering and accessing of various information about cultural, natural heritage with the possibilities to spend free-time at neighbours on both sides of the Slova-Ukraine border will be created, while the information flow towards the people, travellers and other subjects in various areas of the border region will improve as well. Outputs- 1.Creating a common source of information for residents and visitors in the region on both sides of Slovakia - Ukrainian border. 2. Application of knowledge exchange between Slovakia-Ukraine-Norwegian expert platform that will result in the coordination of joint activities for effective communication to attractions on tourism. 3. Joint Cooperation Slovakia-Ukraine-Norwegian experts on the concept of socio-cultural development of the border area. Target groups to achieve are young adults, elderly people and minorities. The role of a partners is coordinate and assist in the implementation of project activities and also raising awareness on the activities.
Summary of project results
The aim of the project was to reduce the existing barriers to cross-border cooperation which we have fulfilled through the realization of the activities and the achievement of the project results.The project will help to increase the attractiveness and awareness of the border regions, not only for the local residents but also for visitors which will contribute to the development of tourism,natural and cultural beauties and related services. The project brings new possibilities to obtain information about the region of Eastern Slovakia and the Transcarpathian region for domestic and foreign visitors,promoting local culture and sports activities of the impacted regions,all in one place on the Internet and at the same time on the mobile phone.The outputs and results of the project,such as the Tourism Web Portal,the Mobile Application for Tourists,the QR Code or the Tourist Guide would not be achieved without financial support from the Norwegian Financial Mechanism.This is how we created them and made them accessible to the general public.Besides the outputs,other important activities were realized as well:territory analysis,in which the experts mapped in details potential of historical and natural sights,sports attractions,hiking and biking trails,tourism services such as accommodation,catering,leisure activities,program of regular recurring events;the project’s area of interest:National Parks Slovenský kras,Slovenský raj,Muránska planina,districts:Rožňava,Spišská Nová Ves,Revúca;Conferences - introductory and final, which also initiated the creation of sustainable collaborative structures that will cooperate to fulfill the portal as well as the promotion of the relevant monuments and services in the region.After the completion of the project implementation and the subsequent start of the project outputs, we expect a gradual increase in the number of visitors in the region by 20%.This number will increase.Therefore, even during the project's sustainability,we will strive for a significant promotion and continuation of the project, together with the Ukrainian partner.All project activities were directed towards:raising awareness of border regions on both sides of the border and providing basic practical information for visitors from both sides of the border;increase the attractiveness of border regions for people living in the region,but especially people living outside the region concerned(other parts of Slovakia and Ukraine),ensuring mutual information on tourism, natural and cultural resources and related services.
Summary of bilateral results
The successful co-operation with the Norwegian partner was to obtain better methods for the promotion of the regions and their performances. We also contributed to the visibility of Slovakia in Norway, which is open to the recognition of the new cultural and historical values of the European Union. The partners' representatives were interested in getting to know the beauty of our region by means of trips, which we provided for them outside the project implementation and without financial compensation. Therefore, we believe that our cooperation will continue after the project is finished. The partnership with the Norwegian partner was based on the exchange of experience in introducing innovative forms of publicity for the regions, which are gaining popularity in the Slovak market. Partner representatives participated in the opening and closing conferences and were available for consultation. The communication was usually done by e-mail or telephone.