ENVIRO – Experiencing Sustainable Tourism to Inspire Cross-Border Changes

With the project “ENVIRO – Experiencing Sustainable Tourism to Inspire Cross-Border Changes,” we emphasize the importance of permanent, intercultural cross-border cooperation and the development of an attractive tourist product. This project foregrounds a new and innovative concept based on the triple paradigm of Tourism–Environment–Energy.

Through the ENVIRO project, we implement interstate strategies in the fields of climate action and energy transition; sustainable development; responsible management of the environment and natural resources; education; tourism; and connectivity. As part of the project, interconnected interpretive experience centres will be established on both the Slovenian and Croatian sides, featuring new educational and promotional content and programs designed to accommodate people with disabilities.

Overall Objective of the Project: Strengthening the role of culture and sustainable tourism in economic development, social inclusion, and social innovation.

Specific Objectives of the Project:

  • Develop a joint strategy for connecting project partners and forming a comprehensive cross-border tourism program for Brežice and Zaprešić.
  • Create an action plan identifying common tourist products and facilities.
  • Develop the ENVIRO mobile application, combining education and entertainment to present tourist destinations, promote new products, activate local communities, and engage a broader range of stakeholders through educational workshops.
  • Establish new tourist locations and interpretive visitor centres in Brežice and Zaprešić.
  • In Zaprešić, renovate the Novi Dvori of Ban Jelačić (Marof House) and its surroundings to host an interpretive experience centre featuring modern equipment, interactive educational trails, and stakeholder platforms. The site will offer innovative user experiences using modern technologies, such as multimedia content, workshops, and conferences.
  • In Brežice, renovate the Kušljanova vila (a 100-year-old building near the biologically significant confluence of the Sava and Krka Rivers, in the Natura 2000 area) to establish an experience centre focusing on environment and energy. This includes program development, new content creation, equipment installation, and initial events and workshops.
  • Design the first accessible tourism package for people with disabilities in the region and beyond.

The ENVIRO project aims to enhance the tourist appeal, capacity, and resilience of the cross-border region (Brežice–Zaprešić) by adopting integrated sustainable models that combine tourism, environment, and energy. It seeks to encourage the creation of innovative tourism products for the next generation of visitors, including people with disabilities, through thematic content, events, and a bilingual gamified mobile application.

Results:

  • Strategy for the cross-border connection of Brežice – Zaprešić into a joint tourist destination with an action plan.
  • ENVIRO bilingual application for mobile devices with an educational game.
  • Educational workshops in the field of environmental protection and energy were conducted.
  • A plan and the final appearance of new facilities for the Marof House and its surroundings were made for ENVIRO.
  • An interpretation and multimedia tourist centre was established in the Marof House (equipped house – information and multimedia equipment, furniture and decoration) in Zaprešić.
  • A film was made about renewable energy in the past and today and other digital content in the field of energy.
  • A new green – historical interactive educational trail has been established in Zaprešić.
  • Professional workshops in the field of sustainable tourism, innovative interpretations of cultural heritage and the development of innovative content for tourism workers were conducted.
  • Conference on Sustainability and Renewable Energy Sources (Vršilnica).
  • Establishment of an interpretation centre for the environment and energy in Brežice (Kušljanova vila) – a new tourist product.

Preparation of an interpretation plan of the centre with a graphic layout, content of educational stations and a communication plan that will highlight the importance of the event, online activities of the centre to connect between the general and professional public. Production of multimedia material for the thematic content of the interpretation centre in Brežice: RES, Earth, Anthropocene, Cathedral of the Sun, three play stations for younger children, periscope, cathedral for wind, hydrogen and batteries, water, AR mirror – what is your ecological energy profile.

  • Procurement of exhibition and general equipment in the centre (screens, audio and video equipment for displaying content based on virtual reality and the use of modern technologies – holograms).

Analysis of good practices that includes the systematic study and evaluation of successful examples of good practice with the aim of identifying factors that influence success, gathering useful insights that can be used to develop a new tourism product.

  • Designing a regional tourism product for people with disabilities.
  • Procurement of an e-van adapted for people with disabilities that will drive on the route Brežice – Zaprešić.
  • Procurement of 12 e-bikes that will connect Brežice and Zaprešić regardless of public transport – promotion of sustainable mobility.
  • Joint cross-border tourism product for persons with disabilities (Implementation of the first such accessible tourism product in the region and beyond).

Project partners: Municipality of Brežice (lead partner), Tourist Board of the City of Zaprešić, Institute for Entrepreneurship, Tourism and Youth Brežice, University of Maribor, Faculty of Energy, Oikon d.o.o. – Institute for Applied Ecology.

Project duration: 30 months (start on 01/09/2024)

Total financial support from the ERDF: EUR 1,226,527.68 (80%); partner contribution EUR 306,631.93. Total project costs: EUR 1,533,159.61.

Oikon d.o.o.
Oikon d.o.o.
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