On October 21, 2026, the official presentation of the document entitled “Destination Medveđa: Basic Strategic Document for the Promotion and Interpretation of Cultural Heritage” was held in Medveđa. This event successfully crowned a key phase of the project aimed at creating a long-term strategic framework for the sustainable development of cultural tourism, preserving identity and economically empowering the local community.
Context and Objective of the Initiative
The “Destination Medveđa” project is being implemented by the Aleksandar Radović Architects Foundation (AARF) from Niš in partnership with the Albanian Center for Education, Tourism and Entrepreneurship (CEAPAL). The initiative is financially supported by the European Union, through the Tirana office of the Italian Agency for Development and Cooperation (AICS), within the framework of the regional program “Culture and Creativity for the Western Balkans” (CC4WBs).
The main objective of the strategic document is to provide a clear roadmap, for a period of 5 to 10 years, in order to abandon ad-hoc activities and establish an integrated system of protection, valorization and promotion of the rich cultural and natural heritage of the municipality of Medveđa.
Methodology: From international exchange to local community participation
The final document was preceded by intensive participatory work based on two key pillars:
1.Peer-to-Peer study visit to Albania (6–10 August 2026): AARF and local partner expert teams visited the municipality of Mirdita, where they learned good practices in the field of digital mapping, interpretation of historical memory and linking rural tourism with local heritage through the example of the “DigiCult-Tour” project.
2. Participatory workshops in Medvedja (4–6 September 2026): Three-day workshops were held at the Medvedja Cultural Center with local stakeholders, representatives of the Tourism Organization of the Municipality of Medveđa, the civil sector, rural households and educational institutions. A special focus was on the inclusion of youth, women and vulnerable groups (with over 50% participation), who directly contributed to the mapping of resources, the development of a SWOT analysis and the definition of the destination vision.
Official presentation and key pillars of the strategy
At a presentation held on October 21, 2026, before local government representatives and key stakeholders, a comprehensive strategic document of approximately 50 pages was presented, defining the following priorities:
- Formal protection and inventory of heritage: Initiating procedures for official legal protection of valuable archaeological and sacral sites and establishing a local register of intangible heritage and old crafts.
- Digitization and modern interpretation standards: Digital mapping of 10 key points of interest, installation of bilingual interpretive boards, and creation of digital guides following a four-layer storytelling model (scientific evidence, community voices, experience of the place, and invitation to the visitor).
- Inclusive economic development and empowerment: Training youth as digital storytellers and local guides, as well as supporting women’s craft collectives to create sustainable incomes in rural households.
- Development of integrated tourist routes: Combining the healing resources of Sijarinska and Tularska Spa and the unique natural geyser with other natural phenomena (Radan Nature Park, Ćorov Waterfall, Mrkonjski Vis), live events (“Sačijada”, “Geyser Nights”) and cultural and historical monuments. Within the workshop we have developed a two-day rute “Tulare: From the volcanic heights to the source of life”.
Next steps
The submission and presentation of the strategic document is a key step towards its official adoption by the local government bodies of the municipality of Medveđa. The document provides clear metrics for monitoring progress and serves as a basis for applying to international funds and EU programs, thus ensuring the long-term sustainability of the project.
The strategic document is available for download in .pdf format on the Foundation’s website in the “publications” section.
Projekat „Kultura i kreativnost za Zapadni Balkan“ (CC4WBs), koji finansira Evropska unija, usmeren je na podsticanje dijaloga na Zapadnom Balkanu kroz jačanje kulturnog i kreativnog sektora radi ostvarivanja većeg društveno-ekonomskog uticaja.
The project “Culture and Creativity for the Western Balkans” (CC4WBs), funded by the European Union, aims to foster dialogue in the Western Balkans by strengthening the cultural and creative sectors in order to achieve greater socio-economic impact.