JemsWine heritage culture: Sustainable tourism development across borders (Wine Heritage)
Priority Axis 4: Cooperating for more sustainable and socially innovative tourism and culture
Operation start date: 1 March 2026
Operation completion date: 29 February 2028
Budget: EUR 915.489,80
Number of partners: 5
Operation purpose and expected achievements:
The overall objective of this project is to transform the rich heritage of Croatia’s Baranja and Serbia’s Srem into sustainable driver for wine and cultural tourism development in socially innovative way in order to create long lasting positive change of cross-border area. By the end of the project, the increasement of visitor number is expected and a new partnership network will be created. Local economies and visitors are going to benefit from new tourism infrastructure, innovative tourism products, AR applications and „Wine Circle“ network.
The main outputs of the project are:
– Development of new infrastructure driving the sustainable development of wine and cultural tourism
– Networking of organizations cooperating in cross-border region.
Beneficiaries:
Municipality of Kneževi Vinogradi (HR) as Lead Partner will manage the project team, coordinate partnership activities, implement the project according to the agreed implementation plan and monitor the achievement of defined results. The primary goal of participating in this project is to further strengthen the wine, cultural, and tourism offerings, support the development of wine tourism and events, facilitate the exchange of knowledge and experiences and promote wine-growing regions. Through the project Općina KV will improve existing wine events, with a special focus on “VINATLON”, which will be organized in cooperation with project partners and the Baranja Zmajevac Winemakers Association. As part of the project, necessary equipment will be procured to ensure a higher-quality organization of the event. To enhance tourism infrastructure, Općina KV will install external public LED lighting on Katolički Surduk in Zmajevac—the most renowned wine road in the municipality, home of the largest number of wine cellars and wineries, and the central venue for the region’s most significant wine events. In addition to infrastructure improvements, Općina KV will work on promoting the destination, increasing the project’s visibility and strengthening its overall outreach, thereby contributing to the growth of wine tourism and increasing the region’s recognition.
Municipality of Sremski Karlovci (RS) as Project Partner plays a key role in the development of sustainable tourism infrastructure and the promotion of eco-friendly mobility within this project. As part of the project MSK will be responsible for several key activities that contribute to its overarching goals:
(1) Developing a Wine Route – the route will include informative signage, digital guides, and designated stops where tourists can engage with local winemakers, participate in tastings, and learn about the historical significance of winemaking in Sremski Karlovci
(2) Introducing Sustainable Mobility Solutions – to encourage environmentally friendly tourism, the MSK will procure and introduce a fleet of 10 electric bicycles. These e-bikes will provide visitors with a sustainable and convenient mode of transportation, allowing them to explore the town and surrounding vineyards without contributing to pollution. MSK will establish a user-friendly rental system, ensuring accessibility for both locals and tourists
(3) Establishing Charging and Resting Points – To support the use of e-bikes and enhance the overall visitor experience, MSK will install 1 strategically located charging and resting station. This station will be equipped with 12 charging ports for electric bicycles, seating areas, and shade structures, providing visitors with a comfortable place to rest, recharge their devices, and enjoy the natural surroundings. This infrastructure improvement will make sustainable travel more practical and attractive to tourists
(4) Organizing Karlovačka Berba Grožđa Festival – As part of the project’s cultural and promotional efforts, MSK will organize the renowned Karlovačka Berba Grožđa Festival, a traditional grape harvest celebration that highlights the region’s winemaking heritage. This festival will serve as a key event for promoting local products, engaging the community, and attracting tourists from both domestic and international markets.
Beyond infrastructure development, MSK will play an active role in promoting the project and ensuring its long-term sustainability. This includes public outreach and awareness campaigns, collaboration with local stakeholders, as well as establishing guidelines and best practices to ensure that tourism growth remains environmentally and culturally responsible.
Tourism organisation of Vojvodina (RS) as Project Partner has significant operational, financial, technical, and human resource capacities, proven through extensive project management experience to develop new wine tourism content, enhancing and promoting wine tourism in Fruška Gora, and increasing its visibility. TOV will run project promotion through a presentation of short promo video, promotional materials and events. Additionally, the initiative includes stakeholder educational workshops, promotional video materials, WineCultFest event enhancement, an online campaign on web site, joint promotions at the international tourism Fair, and the creation of the Fruška Gora Wine Route brochure.
Tourist Board of Osijek-Baranja County (HR) as Project Partner will be responsible for providing support to new wine tourism products development (art&wine), promotion of the existing, newly created and cross-border wine tourism offer, education activities (study tour-best EU practices, cross-border cooperation education program), event organizing-promoting wine tourism offer of the project cbc area, advertising and producing of joint promotional material related to wine tourism offer of the project area on cross-border level. TZ OBŽ will also support networking activities and manage new cross-border cooperation product development i.e. itineraries connecting cross-border offer of the wine tourism products.
Croatian Association for Tourism and Rural Development “The Village Membership Club” (HR) as Project Partner will participate in the organization of the International Conference on Wine Tourism – Vinathlon 2026/2027. The Association will develop the “Wine Circle” – a network of wine destinations, while expanding the membership, presentation of the wine circuit at international scientific and professional meetings, registration fee for partners’ participation in awards, portal upgrade and more. Klub Selo will work on establishing a quality system in wine tourism, further networking of wine destinations, creating a wine tourism product, educating partners and the local community on the topic of interpreting wine heritage, encouraging the participation in the project, applying to various award competitions, and presenting the project at various international and national events.