JemsFRANCISCANA
Priority Axis 4: Sustainable and inclusive tourism and culture
Operation start date: 1 August 2026
Operation completion date: 31 July 2028
Budget: EUR 1.591.064,00
Number of partners: 5
Operation purpose and expected achievements:
The FRANCISCANA project is a cross-border initiative designed to develop an integrated cultural tourism route across Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro with aim to strengthen sustainable cultural tourism and preserve the shared Franciscan heritage of Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro. The overall objective is to design and to support thematic structuring of the cross-border Franciscana Cultural Route, as an integrated tourism product. The project addresses common challenges related to the underutilisation of cultural heritage, fragmented tourism promotion, limited cross-border cooperation, and the need for sustainable tourism development through a joint approach to heritage interpretation, route planning, and destination branding. Planned activities include establishment of stakeholder networks and capacity-building programmes, the creation of digital and multimedia content, virtual tours, interpretation centres and a web platform, the organisation of exhibitions, cycling events and promotional campaigns, and the preparation of a certification and sustainability roadmap for the Council of Europe Cultural Routes programme. Through innovative digital solutions, joint promotional activities, investments in visitor interpretation, and cross-border knowledge exchange, the project will strengthen the capacities of public authorities, development agencies, cultural institutions, and local communities to preserve and promote Franciscan heritage, diversify sustainable tourism products, improve the visibility of the Programme area, and support long-term regional cooperation and economic development.
Beneficiaries:
The Lead Partner (LP), Office for European Integration of West Herzegovina Canton (BA), 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 Office coordinates the overall development of the Franciscana Cultural Route, leads cross-border cooperation and stakeholder engagement, supports the implementation of joint promotional and capacity-building activities, and ensures the long-term sustainability and transferability of project results across the Programme area.
Regional Development Agency Dubrovnik-Neretva County – DUNEA (HR) provides expertise in sustainable tourism development, destination branding, and digital promotion. It leads the development of the sustainability model for the Franciscana route, coordinates the international digital promotional campaign, contributes to the project’s branding and communication strategy, strengthens links with international tourism networks, and supports the long-term positioning of the Franciscana route within European cultural tourism markets.
Public Institution RERA S.D. for Coordination and Development of the Split-Dalmatia County (HR) is responsible for implementing project activities in the Split-Dalmatia region, supporting stakeholder networking, sustainable tourism development, and the promotion of the Franciscana route. It contributes to the preparation of thematic content, capacity-building activities, promotional events, and cross-border cooperation while facilitating the integration of the route into regional tourism and development strategies.
Ministry of Education, Science, Youth, Culture and Sport of the Canton Central Bosnia (BA) provides expertise in cultural heritage preservation, historical research, and cultural management. It leads the design and thematic structuring of the Franciscana route, coordinates archival and field research, develops the Franciscana Narrative Sourcebook and thematic framework, supports interpretation materials and route planning, and contributes to governance, capacity building, and the long-term preservation of the shared Franciscan heritage.
Croatian National Council of Montenegro (ME) is responsible for implementing project activities in Montenegro by promoting the Franciscan cultural heritage of the Bay of Kotor and neighbouring areas. It contributes to stakeholder engagement, cultural events, communication and dissemination activities, supports the organisation of promotional campaigns and regional events, facilitates cooperation with local communities and cultural institutions, and promotes the long-term visibility and sustainability of the Franciscana Cultural Route across the Programme area.