JemsAV CONNECT
Priority Axis 4: Sustainable and inclusive tourism and culture
Operation start date: 1 September 2026
Operation completion date: 31 August 2028
Budget: EUR 958.071,00
Number of partners: 4
Operation purpose and expected achievements:
The AV CONNECT project aims to promote sustainable and inclusive tourism development in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro by connecting lesser-known cultural and tourism destinations through innovative audiovisual creativity and film tourism. The project addresses common cross-border challenges related to the overconcentration of tourism in popular destinations, the underutilisation of rural and inland heritage sites, and the limited integration of the tourism and audiovisual sectors. Planned activities include the preparation of a Joint Audiovisual Assessment, the establishment of two cross-border innovation laboratories (Digital Animation Atelier and Interactive Film Incubator), the development of a Joint Cross-Border Film Tourism Strategy, the creation of a Cross-Border Film Route and Digital Heritage Catalogue, and the production of innovative audiovisual content to support nine cultural and tourism sites across the Programme area. Through pilot investments, creative digital solutions, stakeholder engagement, capacity-building activities, and cross-border cooperation, the project will strengthen the capacities of cultural institutions, tourism organisations, and public authorities to diversify tourism products, enhance the visibility of lesser-known destinations, foster cooperation between the tourism and creative industries, and contribute to balanced regional development across the Programme area.
Beneficiaries:
The Lead Partner (LP), INOVAcija – Innovation Agency of Zadar County (HR), is responsible for the overall coordination and management of the project. It oversees project implementation, financial and administrative management, partner coordination, reporting, and quality assurance. The Agency leads Work Package 2, coordinates the Digital Animation Atelier (LAB 1) in Zadar, manages the development of the Joint Cross-Border Film Tourism Strategy, supports the creation of digital animation route for 7 locations in the Zadar County areas, provide audio visual equipment for Church of St. Dominic in Zadar (Zadar Puppet Theatre) and Heritage museum Benkovac and ensures the long-term sustainability and transferability of project results across the Programme area.
National Museum Zadar (HR) is responsible for leading Work Package 1, coordinating research and networking activities, procure audio visual equipment and contributing its expertise in cultural heritage interpretation and cultural tourism. The Museum participates in the Joint Audiovisual Assessment, supports the development of the Joint Cross-Border Film Tourism Strategy, contributes to audiovisual storytelling and narrative film with immersive VR and AR elements for 7 locations in Zadar area and production of AV content for VR glasses for the Benkovac Museum, and promotes knowledge transfer and stakeholder engagement across the Programme area.
Public Institution Zenica City Museum (BA) provides expertise in cultural heritage management and sustainable tourism development and procure audio-visual equipment for Zenica City Museum, Vranduk Fortress and Museum Tešanj. It coordinates Work Package 3 and the Interactive Film Incubator (LAB 2), leads pilot activities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, supports the development of interactive audiovisual content (virtual curator adapted to the identity of the museum and the local context of Zenica; 12 interactive films about various aspects of social life in the Middle Ages, related to the locations in the Zenica area) and the Cross-Border Film Route, contributes to stakeholder engagement and capacity-building activities, and promotes the replication of project results across the Programme area.
RTV Budva (ME) is responsible for procurement of equipment for digital animation studio in RTV Budva,leading project communication and visibility activities. It develops 3D digital reconstruction of Petrovac – Roman mosaics and creation of 3D models for Stanjevići Monastery and Old City Walls of Budva, the Cross-Border Digital Catalogue of Touristic Heritage, prepares the digital AV Booklet and promotional materials, coordinates communication campaigns and dissemination activities, supports the production and broadcasting of audiovisual content, and contributes to ensuring the long-term visibility, accessibility, and sustainability of project results throughout the Programme area.