21 Oct 2022
All-inclusive regional cooperation and Common Regional Market deliver results news

Western Balkans Foreign Ministers approve 3 regional agreements bringing our region closer together and to the EU  Berlin/Sarajevo – The Western Balkans (WB) Foreign Ministers approved three regional agreements - on Freedom of Movement with Identity Cards, on Recognition of Higher Education Qualifications, and on Recognition of Professional Qualifications for Doctors of Medicine, Dentists ...

24 Jun 2022
Bregu: Support of Western Balkan citizens to regional cooperation remains stable at 76% news

RCC presents 2022 editions of Balkan Barometer and SecuriMeter  Brussels – “While many things change, our public and business perceptions surveys remain a truthful source of sentiments across the region. At times, the results surprise us, sometimes they serve as a wake-up call, while on other occasions they confirm that our efforts are not in vain as citizens and businesses ...

09 Jun 2022
REGIONAL RESPONSE IN TIMES OF UNCERTAINTY: RCC Strategy and Work Programme 2023–2025 report

The Strategy and Work Programme 2023-2025 ‘Regional Response in Times of Uncertainty’, of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretariat was endorsed at the RCC Annual Meeting, on 9 June 2022 in Thessaloniki, Greece. The overarching goal of SWP 2023-2025 is to promote the prosperity of South East Europe by supporting sustainable and equitable economic growth policies to enhance regional economic ...

09 Jun 2022
Bregu: As long as we continue to subscribe to dialogue, compromise and cooperation, we invest in long-term stability, security and prosperity news

Participants of RCC Annual Meeting endorse organisation’s Annual Report and Strategy and Work Programme 2023-2025 Thessaloniki – “Under the political guidance of SEECP and in consultations with all relevant actors and stakeholders, RCC identified those gaps in which the region should invest with technical as well as political capital. These all fall under the category of sustainable ...

08 Jun 2022
Champion of Regional Cooperation to round off 14th RCC Annual Meeting news

Sarajevo/Thessaloniki – Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) is to hold its 14th Annual Meeting on Thursday, 9 June in Thessaloniki. RCC Secretary General Majlinda Bregu will present the RCC Annual Report and major accomplishments and results of the organisation in the past year while putting it in the context of current political and economic situation in the region.  Despite challenging ...

12 May 2022
Opening remarks by the RCC secretary General Majlinda Bregu at the ministerial conference on “Lifting Barriers for Sustainable Tourism Development in the Western Balkans" statement/speech

Majlinda Bregu, Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) opened the ministerial conference on “Lifting Barriers for Sustainable Tourism Development in the Western Balkans", held in Tirana on 12 May 2022

12 May 2022
Bregu: Removing barriers is the first step in positioning Western Balkans at the world tourism map  news

On 8 June WB and EU to start the process of aligning policies and regulatory practices towards reducing roaming prices among themselves  Tirana – “Tourism has a vast potential as a major catalyst for job creation and a driving force for economic growth and development especially for tourism dependent regions like ours. In 2019 more than 12 million people visited Western Balkans, ...

11 May 2022
RCC to host Western Balkans Ministerial Conference on Tourism Development news

Tourism has a great potential to accelerate progress and transform threats into opportunities Tirana – The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) is organising a ministerial conference on tourism development in the Western Balkans, on 12 May 2022 in Tirana. The event will gather ministers in charge of tourism from the Western Balkans, representatives of European Commission and other relevant ...

16 Jun 2021
Bregu: 2020 was difficult, but a real progress and achievements have been made for development of our region news

Participants of the RCC Annual Meeting endorse SEE2030 Strategy and RCC Annual Report  Antalya – “Last year, ruled by the pandemic has definitely showcased the extent of our interconnectivity and interdependency and demonstrated that in cooperating, we boost our strengths and resilience. It is clear that regional socio-economic integration is crucial for regional development. ...

08 Apr 2021
Western Balkans endorses Tirana Declaration to Support Tourism in the Region news

RCC is refocusing sustainable tourism agenda as an integrated part of Common Regional Market Sarajevo/Tirana – Ministers and representatives of the six Western Balkans (WB) governments endorsed the Tirana Declaration on supporting sustainable tourism recovery and growth in the region, at the high-level regional conference marking the finalisation of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC)’s ...

06 Apr 2021
Tirana Declaration endorsement to mark the finalisation of RCC’s Tourism Development and Promotion project news

Tourism is a Key to Sustainable Development of the Western Balkans Sarajevo, Tirana – The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) and its Triple P Tourism Project are organising a 2-day Regional Conference - Tourism as a Key to Sustainable Development which will kick off on 7 April marking the finalisation of the RCC’s EU funded Triple P Tourism Development and Promotion project. Paving ...

29 Mar 2021
Report on the Activities of the Regional Cooperation Council Secretariat for the period 1 October 2020 – 1 March 2021 report

The Report on the activities of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretariat is submitted by the RCC Secretary General to the RCC Board in line with Article 15 of the Statute of the RCC. It covers the period between 1 October 2020 – 1 March 2021.

11 Mar 2021
Bregu: 77% of Western Balkans citizens agree that the relations in the region are better than a year ago news

RCC Board met today for the 42nd time since the establishment of the organisation Sarajevo/Tirana – “The months since our last meeting in October have been difficult with the onset of new Covid-19 waves and new variants of the virus turning things topsy-turvy with a downward spiralling. In terms of regional cooperation, the big good news was the success of the Sofia Summit of the ...

05 Mar 2021
Adapting Tourism Products for New Priority Markets webinars organised by RCC Triple P project and Elite Travel Group news

Elite Travel Group in association with RCC Triple P – Tourism Development and Promotion Project funded by the EU started a series of free webinars on 3rd March 2020 aiming to provide a rapid response for the post-pandemic Western Balkan tourism sector to restart. The webinars target the travel agents and tourism boards from the region and focus on rebuilding the tourism Industry of Western ...

02 Mar 2021
Winners of the 1st Futourismo page

02 Mar 2021
FUTOURISMO award ceremony, Introductory remarks by RCC SG statement/speech

Intruductory remarks by the Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Majlinda Bregu on the occasion of FUTOURISMO award ceremony held on 2 March 2021 in an online format.

02 Mar 2021
Bregu: Futourismo is a new hope to help our region recover its tourism news

In 2019 more than 12 million people visited Western Balkans, which brought region a profit of 7.2 billion euros. Tourism made 10.2% of the region’s GDP and accounted for more than 25% of exports and on average 11.4% of the total employees in the Western Balkans was from this sector, 55% of whom were women. Tirana/Sarajevo – Seven teams from the Western Balkans: •   ...

01 Mar 2021
Six best Western Balkans projects aimed at helping region’s tourism to be awarded 15.000 EUR each, at a ceremony tomorrow news

Sarajevo/Tirana – On 3 February 2021, the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) and its Triple P Tourism Project launched the 1st regional FUTOURISMO competition, seeking innovative digital solutions that will help mitigate the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the heavily affected sector of tourism.  In the past month, 84 teams from all Western Balkans Six sent their digital ...

03 Feb 2021
RCC launches FUTOURISMO, regional competition to boost tourism in the Western Balkans news

Ride the Digital Waves - 6 most successful ideas to get 15,000 EUR each Sarajevo - The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) and its EU funded Tourism Project are organising the first Western Balkans FUTOURISMO competition, seeking innovative digital solutions that will help mitigate the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the heavily affected sector of tourism.  These digital ...

02 Feb 2021
Futourismo page

FAQs Agenda Registration Jury Shortlisted ...

05 Jan 2021
RCC: Supporting Western Balkans tourism through art  news

Sarajevo - The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) nurtures a beautiful blossom in its midst, with a substance more resilient than any form we try to give to our incentives, the project that promotes tourism, the natural beauties and unique art of our blessed countries. Watch Art House videos The video interview project “Art House Channel”, is a communication platform supported ...

06 Aug 2020
Milena Filipovic: Connecting regional tourism offer through culture tourism in Western Balkan interview/article

Ms. Milena Filipovic the Expert on Cultural Tourism for the Triple P Tourism Project implemented by the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) and funded by the European Union, in the latest interview for the Bosnian Federal News Agency, FENA, discussed the importance of the tourism development and promotion in the six Western Balkan economies throughout joint regional cultural and adventure tourism offer. ...

16 Jul 2020
Bregu: Balkathon – Smarten up for the future is not only regional response to pandemic outbreak but also a mind-setter for the changing, digital world news

Miron Lukač on behalf of Portal World Team, Albana Mucaj on behalf of the Kallz Training Center Team, and Dritan Mollanji on behalf of Symmetric Team Awarded for Their Best Innovative Solutions for Smart Tourism, Digital Learning and Online Payments at Balkathon, the 1st Regional Online Competition in the Western Balkans Balkathon final session featuring the best digital solutions selected from ...

15 Jul 2020
BALKATHON FINALS: Best Digital Solutions from the Western Balkans to be Awarded at the Final Session of the 1st Regional Online Competition news

3 winners of the 1st Balkathon in categories: Smart Tourism; Digital Learning Platform; and Online Payments are to be selected and awarded at the final ceremony held online, organized by the RCC and supported by the EU Sarajevo -   1st Regional BALKATHON ends tomorrow, 16 July 2020, with selection of the 3 best innovative digital solutions out of 88 applicants from the Western Balkans, ...

25 Jun 2020
Annual Report of the Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council 2019-2020 report

This Annual Report of the Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) covers the period April 2019 – April 2020. It outlines main RCC activities and achievements in the past year. It also lays out the overall background and crucial developments impacting and shaping the activities of the RCC and the region of South East Europe in the reporting period.

25 Jun 2020
Bregu: It is up to the region to retain commitment to cooperation and bring forth tangible progress to citizens news

RCC Secretary General takes part in SEECP Foreign Affairs Ministers meeting and hosts, with SEECP CiO, 12th RCC Annual meeting Tirana/Sarajevo/Prishtina – The two meetings have been held today within the South East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) - the meeting of the SEECP Ministers of Foreign Affairs and the RCC Annual Meeting, which RCC co-organised with the outgoing Kosovo SEECP Chairmanship-in-Office ...

24 Jun 2020
Bregu: Cooperation is the only blueprint that holds the promise of ‘Stronger Together’ news

The Shape of the Things to Come - Presentation of Balkan Barometer 2020 Balkan Barometer 2020 reveals sentiments of citizens and businesses in the region, with a special addition conveying effects of the COVID-19 outbreak   Balkan Barometer 2020 presentation was going LIVE  Sarajevo – “The regional cooperation continues to grow in prominence with an overwhelming ...

23 Jun 2020
The Shape of the Things to Come - Presentation of Balkan Barometer 2020 news

Annual public and business opinion survey including COVID19 Impact Assessment Moderated by Majlinda Bregu, RCC Secretary General; and key guest speakers Olivér Várhelyi, EU Enlargement Commissioner; & Wolfgang Ischinger, Munich Security Conference Chairman Sarajevo – The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) will present 2020 edition of Balkan Barometer on Wednesday 24 June 2020. This ...

08 Jun 2020
Tourism in the Western Balkans: Where and How in the Times of the Pandemic? news

RCC Tourism Expert Group met online to discuss current situation and the next steps in the six Western Balkan economies for recovery of travel industry that was severely hit by the global corona virus pandemic Sarajevo – “These are very difficult times for the Western Balkans’ tourism as the consequences of the global corona virus pandemic took the highest toll on travel and tourism industries. ...

18 May 2020
Western Balkans: Amazing virtual museum tours news

18th May is International Museum Day and today we are coming together to celebrate the history, art and cultural heritage throughout the museums in the Western Balkans.  Museums around the world have closed to prevent the spread of COVID-19, meanwhile their virtual tours are still open and trending.  From the comfort of your couch, through the following Western Balkans museums you ...

14 May 2020
Bregu: Pandemic created a common awareness that at least for now humankind takes precedence over politics and disputes news

RCC Board met online to hear about the activities of the organization in the past period and discuss future steps Sarajevo – “For all its aggressiveness, the COVID-19 crisis also offers glimmers of hope. It has connected Western Balkans even more, this time in a fight against an invisible enemy. It has persuaded us that cooperation should be resilient. It has created a common awareness ...

06 May 2020
Bregu: No brilliant regional plan can succeed without strong political leadership and fully synchronized EU- WB trajectories news

RCC Secretary General Majlinda Bregu officially announces RCC working to develop REA2 at the EU-Western Balkans Zagreb Summit Sarajevo/Tirana/Zagreb - Now, almost 4 years after we initiated the work on Regional Economic Area (REA) the region is ready to embark on the next phase of deepening regional economic cooperation assure the WB6 economies to have ownership first, and bringing the region ...

05 May 2020
RCC Secretary General for Radio Free Europe (RFE) interview/article

“Implementation of initiatives to strengthen cooperation amongst the [Western] Balkans Six economies would create conditions for better life of our citizens. What might save us from pains is for the political leaders and experts to say, because coronavirus pandemic is an abnormal situation that comes with abnormal risks. Cooperation is vital and I believe we all got the idea that solo play will bring ...

29 Apr 2020
Tanja Miscevic, RCC's Deputy Secretary General for the European Western Balkans (EWB) interview/article

Deputy Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) spoke to European Western Balkans (EWB) about the priorities of regional cooperation at the time of the pandemic, economic recovery plans and cooperation between RCC and the governments of the region, as well as the support the EU has provided for the Western Balkans.

26 Apr 2020
Majlinda Bregu, RCC SG's interview for N1 about the Western Balkans during & after COVID-19 pandemic interview/article

Majlinda Bregu, Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) talks to N1 TV in an online interview about life in the Western Balkans during the corona virus pandemic, its effects on the tourism sector, Green Corridors and the EU integration of the region

18 Apr 2020
Bregu: Tourism in the Western Balkans already feels the pinch of COVID-19 pandemic news

Almost half of the tourism agencies and tour operators in the region started to cut costs and lay off employees What we can do to ease the pains? The region needs more tourists. What about visa relief system or no visa travel regime among WB? Can we start from home? Sarajevo – “As this pandemic keeps billions of people at home, one sector is already feeling the pinch - tourism.  One ...

04 Mar 2020
RCC tourism project exceeds plans; total number of development grants reaches 36 news

Sarajevo – “With the award of the eight new grants to be implemented over the next six months throughout the Western Balkans, we have reached the total number of 36 tourism development and promotion grants, which well exceeds the originally set target to have some 30 development initiatives implemented through our tourism project,” said Snjezana Derviskadic, RCC Tourism Development ...

08 Jan 2020
RCC: Listen to Women as no challenge can keep them from fulfilling their dreams news

RCC’s Women Empowerment - WE- campaign continues featuring remarkable women from the Western Balkans and brings you Uta Ibrahimi - “At the beginning they told me climbing was for men and I did a lot of work to prove them wrong and change that mentality. You can do the same, just listen to women!” Sarajevo – Kosovo* has the youngest population in Europe with more than half of its 1.8 million ...

02 Dec 2019
RCC continues developing tourism in the Western Balkans: 3rd call for proposals for tourism development grants published news

320,000 euros to fund up to 7 projects around the region  SARAJEVO – As the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) implemented and EU funded Tourism Development and Promotion Project enters its final stage, the RCC published the 3rd Call for Proposals for the award of tourism development grants in the Western Balkans. The total value of the call is 320,000 euros which will be used to fund up ...

22 Nov 2019
16 New Grants for Tourism Development and Promotion in Western Balkans Awarded by RCC, EU news

Boosting the tourism in the region, through small scale projects, beneficial to the local communities   Durres – “Today, with presenting the results of the completed 12 and awarding 16 new grants for the tourism development and promotion in the Western Balkans, we are showing you a part of the success story from this region, and it is not a success of policy-making or GDP but of the ...

20 Nov 2019
Overview of Grants Recipients – 2nd Call for Proposals, awarded by the RCC’s Tourism Development and Promotion Project information material

The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC)’s EU-funded Tourism Development and Promotion Project has awarded the second sixteen, grants to the best project proposals received through the 2nd public call for proposals looking for ideas intended to improve a joint Western Balkans cultural and adventure tourism offer, as well as infrastructure and quality of services along the selected touristic routes. ...

08 Nov 2019
Via Dinarica expands its regional coordination structure throughout Western Balkans news

Non-governmental organisations from Albania, Kosovo* and Serbia joined today Via Dinarica regional coordination structure during a meeting organised by the RCC implemented and EU funded Tourism Development and Promotion Project in Tirana. Up to now the coordination of Via Dinarica - 2,000 kilometres long hiking mega trail running along Dinaric Alps - included organisation from Slovenia, Croatia ...

07 Nov 2019
Via Dinarica just keeps getting better news

Happy hikers, happy hosts   It is 11 o’clock on an idle Monday and about to start raining in a tiny village of Rekë e Allagës in Rugova Mountain, all green with pine trees. Fetije Nikiqi is well under way to prepare cheese pie in a wooden stove while Hozefa Indorewala looks to the sky from the porch thinking just how far up the mountain have his friends gone and how damp might ...

19 Jun 2019
Article on Western Balkans’ tourism routes for Radio Free Europe/Radio Slobodna Evropa interview/article

Nikola Gaon, Communications Officer of the RCC’s Tourism Development and Promotion project, talks to Radio Free Europe (Radio Slobodna Evropa) about the project’s activities, plans, grants programme and the development of adventure and cultural tourism offers in the Western Balkans Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) is currently implementing an EU-funded project focused on tourism networking ...

10 Jun 2019
RCC launches the next grant call: 750,000 EUR for developing tourism in the Western Balkans news

SARAJEVO – The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), under its Tourism Development and Promotion EU funded project, launched today the second in a row grant call for projects developing the tourism offer in the Western Balkans. While the grants scheme totals EUR 1.62 million, this second tranche is making available EUR 750,000 for the implementation of some 14 pilot projects worth up to EUR 54,000. The ...

08 Jun 2019
Via Dinarica connectivity in the Accursed Mountain gets an upgrade news

PEJE/PEČ  - Community Development Fund, beneficiary of the RCC implemented and EU funded tourism development grant scheme, organize today a FAM trip for tour operators and media to inaugurate 6 newly developed sections of Via Dinarica trail in Kosovo* connecting it with the trail portions in Albania and Montenegro. New 50 kilometres of the trail passing through Kosovo* will better connect ...

07 Jun 2019
New circuit trail and tales of river log-driving enrich Via Dinarica news

PODGORICA - A new attraction for hikers of Via Dinarica’s White Trail passing through Tara River Canyon in Montenegro was presented today in Podgorica.  Centre for Sustainable Tourism Initiates (CSTI), beneficiary of the RCC implemented and EU funded tourism grant scheme, has developed a new circuit trail in the Canyon which tells the story of an old tradition of log-driving, today’s rafting, ...

07 Jun 2019
New regional hiking trail comes to life: Mokra Gora Mt., Beauty of the Balkans news

ZUBIN POTOK - A brand new regional hiking trail running across Mokra Gora Mountain from Montenegro, across Kosovo* to Serbia was inaugurated today in Zubin Potok. The trail was developed by the Institute for Territorial Economic Development – InTER through an RCC implemented and EU funded tourism development grant scheme. The new trail brands Mokra Gora Mt. as Beauty of the Balkans! “Mokra ...

06 Jun 2019
Powered by RCC, Accursed Mountains show their cultural edge news

TIRANA – Stunningly beautiful nature of the Accursed Mountains settled between Albania, Kosovo* and Montenegro just got its cultural edge. From now on, colourful legends, verbal history, songs, dances, crafts and cuisine of local communities living in remote mountainous villages are going to be part of the hiking tours through this region. This new cultural component of what is normally an adventure ...

05 Jun 2019
The Tales of 4 Fortresses - Creative History Balkans Tour enriches regional tourism offer news

NOVI SAD – With the summer at our door, the Western Balkans cultural tourism offers just got richer. EXIT Foundation, a beneficiary of the RCC implemented and EU funded tourism development grant scheme and a winner of the RCC’s champion of regional cooperation award, launched today in Novi Sad the Creative History Balkans Tour which takes visitors to four amazing fortresses in the region. The ...

05 Jun 2019
Legends of fortresses get new interpretation news

DANILOVGRAD - Danilovgrad Municipality, through an RCC provided and EU funded tourism development grant, has revived three fortresses in three Western Balkans economies.  Today they launched a cultural tourism tour which includes Spuž fortress, near Danilovgrad, Montenegro, Strač fortress in Trebinje, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and fortress in Lezhë, Albania. The tour is built on storytelling ...

30 May 2019
New horseback riding route connects Western Balkans news

Subotica – The latest Western Balkans tourism attraction – a 500 kilometres long horseback riding route running from Vojvodina in the north to Hercegovina in the south – was inaugurated today in Subotica.  The so called Balkan Riding Route was developed by Fund for Microregional Tourism Cluster Subotica-Palić, a beneficiary of the RCC Implemented and EU funded Tourism Development and ...

18 May 2019
Hidden Gems of Skopje Old Town surface up with new cool mobile app news

Skopje - Starting today, visitors of the Skopje Old Town, Čaršija, will be able to experience it in a completely new way. Coming to their service is the mobile application – Skopje Gems - that provides seven guided cultural tours through Čaršija and takes visitors to the doorsteps of shops owners who keep traditional crafts and cuisine alive, as well as to museums and religious and historic ...

14 May 2019
Futuristic World War II monuments making comeback as Balkan’s tourism attraction news

SARAJEVO - Among the Western Balkans cultural tourism routes that the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC)’s Tourism Development and Promotion project is currently developing, is the so called Balkan Monumental Trail that encompasses region’s iconic World War II (WWII) monuments.  “Before it was recognised in the region, futuristic art and design of the World War II monuments received ...

10 May 2019
The region has spoken – the hottest summer spots in South East Europe selected news

Presenting the winners of  the RCC's #looking4summer photo/video contest Sarajevo – The time has come for the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) to announce the winners of its #looking4summer photo/video contest featuring summer beauties of the South East Europe (SEE), which were selected in a joined excercise of Instagram and Facebook users and the RCC crew. And here they are:  1. Jyrgen ...

07 May 2019
Cultural diversity connects Sarajevo, Kotor and Novi Sad news

RCC, EU grant recipient develops new regional cultural tourism route SARAJEVO - Sarajevo Meeting of Cultures (SMOC), beneficiary of the RCC implemented and EU funded Tourism Development and Promotion Grant Scheme, presented today in Sarajevo a new regional tourism route based on cultural diversity of the Western Balkans.  The route builds on the “Meeting of Cultures” concept of tourism ...

29 Apr 2019
Balkan Trafik! Festival: Promoting the best of the Western Balkans in the European Union news

Brussels – For the past few days Brussels replaced its political foretoken as a European political centre and became a hub for Western Balkan art and culture. The 13th edition of Balkan Trafik! Festival (BTF), which took place 24-28 April, promoted the best of the Western Balkans (WB) and the South East Europe (SEE) in the European Union (EU) through a series of concerts, exhibitions, theatre plays, ...

26 Apr 2019
RCC powers Balkan Trafik! Festival, promotes cultural tourism news

SARAJEVO – 13th edition of the Balkan Trafik! Festival which promotes cultures of the South East Europe through theatre, literature, cinema, music, graphic arts, gastronomy, street art, and workshops is taking place in Brussels from 24 to 28 April 2019. The RCC began cooperating with the Festival in 2018.  This year, under the auspices of its Tourism Development and Promotion Project which ...

25 Apr 2019
Tourism industry accounts for 14 percent of employment in the Western Balkans news

RCC involves private sector in Western Balkans cultural tourism development Belgrade – Planning of most viable itineraries along the two new Western Balkans cultural routes that are currently under development was the main topic discussed by the representatives of tourism agencies and tour operators from the region, at the meeting organized by the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC)’s EU funded ...

19 Apr 2019
RCC grant recipient introduces new regional cultural tourism product: The Illyricum Trail news

BELGRADE - Danube Competence Center (DCC), beneficiary of the RCC Tourism Development and Promotion Project’s grant scheme, funded by the European Union, introduced yesterday in Belgrade the new and upcoming Western Balkans branch of the Roman Emperors and Danube Wine Route’s called the Illyricum Trail. In line with the RCC tourism project goals, the trail based on the Roman archeologic sites ...

17 Apr 2019
PROMO FLYER: Roman Emperors and Danube Wine Route’s Illyricum Trail brochure

Illyricum Trail is a new and upcoming branch of the Roman Emperors and Danube Wine Route. It will run through Western Balkans and take tourists to some of the most mesmerising Roman archaeological sites where they will get to experience culture and history of an empire and immerse themselves in myth and legends of an era. Development of the Illyricum Trail was initiated through the RCC implemented ...

22 Mar 2019
Development of Bike Friendly Standards, GRANT FACT SHEET factsheet

Quality of products and services in cyclotourism in the Western Balkans will be improved through development of Bike Friendly Standards for facilities and service providers and the introduction of the certification process.

22 Mar 2019
Connecting Naturally Through Via Dinarica White Trail, GRANT FACT SHEET factsheet

Tradition of river log-driving (today’s rafting) employed by lumberjack on Tara River prior to the 2nd World War inspired development a new circuit trail on Via Dinarica White Trail in Tara Canyon and associated cultural tourism component (storytelling).

22 Mar 2019
Hidden Gems of Skopje Old Town, GRANT FACT SHEET factsheet

Seven cultural trails in Skopje Old Town based on craftsmanship, oral history, gastronomy, customs, dances, festivities and religions will be made available in ten languages through a dedicated mobile application and a website.

22 Mar 2019
MonumentSEE – Western Balkans Monumental Trail, GRANT FACT SHEET factsheet

A comprehensive assessment of World War II monuments and their futuristic art and design will be conducted to produce recommendations for development of a new Western Balkans cultural tourism route.

22 Mar 2019
Legends of the Fortress, GRANT FACT SHEET factsheet

A new cultural route featuring fortresses and running through Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro will interpret heritage through storytelling and will employ videos, theatrical performances and food and craft fairs.

22 Mar 2019
Creative History Balkans Tour, GRANT FACT SHEET factsheet

Foundation EXIT will develop a cultural tour of four fortresses: Citadela (Budva, Montenegro), Kastel (Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina), Petrovaradin (Novi Sad, Serbia) and Rozefa (Shkodër, Albania) and will target young people through storytelling, superb design and digital promotion.

22 Mar 2019
Western Balkans Branch of Roman Emperors and Danube Wine Route, GRANT FACT SHEET factsheet

Danube Competence Centre will research, evaluate and select Roman archaeological sites and surrounding sub-destinations for the inclusion into a new branch of Roman Emperors and Danube Wine Route running through Western Balkans. It will also establish collaboration platform for the development and implementation of the new branch.

22 Mar 2019
SEEculture – Meeting of Cultures route, GRANT FACT SHEET factsheet

Concept of Sarajevo Meeting of Cultures as a model of tourism product based on diverse cultural heritage will be replicated in Kotor and Novi Sad and a new a joint brand and regional cultural tour will be developed.

22 Mar 2019
Development and Promotion of New Via Dinarica Routes, GRANT FACT SHEET factsheet

Community Development Fund will develop and promote six new stages of Via Dinarica trail – some 50 kilometres long – to better connect Kosovo* portion of the trail with the trails in Albania and Montenegro and make them more competitive.

22 Mar 2019
Building a Regional Network across Culture, GRANT FACT SHEET factsheet

A new cultural route in the cross-border region of the Accursed Mountains will be built on traditional lifestyle in remote villages and their songs, dances, verbal history, myths, legends, authentic rituals, cuisine and handcrafts.

22 Mar 2019
Mokra Gora Mt. - Undiscovered Pearl of Via Dinarica Trail, GRANT FACT SHEET factsheet

Institute for Territorial Economic Development - InTER will improve infrastructure and develop and promote a new cross-border branch of Via Dinarica trail running across Mokra Gora Mountain.

22 Mar 2019
Horseback riding trail across the Balkans, GRANT FACT SHEET factsheet

A new horseback riding route spanning over 500 kilometres connecting northern Serbia with southern Bosnia and Herzegovina will network some 50 farmers (horse keepers) and horse riding clubs and engage them in the equestrian tourism industry.

12 Mar 2019
Western Balkans tourism on the rise: Powered by RCC, cultural and adventure tour operators promote the region at the ITB Berlin news

Berlin – Over the last five days, 19 tour operators from the Western Balkans promoted the regional tourism offer at a joint Western Balkans – Powered by RCC.int stand at the world’s leading travel trade show, ITB Berlin, which gathers some 10,000 exhibitors and over 100,000 visitors. International promotion of the region as a cultural and adventure tourism destination is an ...

07 Mar 2019
Promo Cards: Western Balkans - Crossroads of Civilisations information material

Tourism Development and Promotion: For thousands of years the Western Balkans built its identity on a lavish cultural heritage developed by a myriad of civilisation, which attempted to conquer and rule this stunning corner of Europe. Here you will witness Roma influence, Byzantine churches, Byzantine influence of Ottoman mosques, and Ottoman influence on Austro-Hungarian architecture. For the West, ...

07 Mar 2019
Promo Cards: Balkan Monumental Trail information material

Tourism Development and Promotion: An artistic route honouring heroic perseverance and creative brilliance. This trail explores 40 most exquisite World War II monuments in the region. The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), through an EU funded Tourism Development and Promotion Project, is now powering the region in awakening the common art and heritage and in developing new and joint cultural and ...

07 Mar 2019
Promo Cards: Roman Emperors and Danube Wine Route’s Illyricum Trail information material

Tourism Development and Promotion: A journey to experience archaeological sites and ancient vineyards. The Roman period marked one of the longest periods of cultural dominances over the Western Balkans. The Illyricum trade takes you on a journey where legends and myths come back to life, along original cobblestone roads, across aqueducts, and in glasses of wine. The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), ...

07 Mar 2019
Western Balkans Cultural Routes: Awakening Art and Heritage flyer information material

Tourism Development and Promotion: The Western Balkans region shares a common cultural heritage. It is a home to some of the most mesmerising monumental art and traces of Roman Empire. It is a crossroads of civilizations. The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), through an EU funded Tourism Development and Promotion Project, is now powering the region in awakening the common art and heritage and in ...

04 Mar 2019
Powered by RCC: Western Balkans’ adventure tourism takes Utrecht fair news

Utrecht – Over the last three days, ten tour operators from the Western Balkans presented the best of regional adventure tourism offer at the Fiets en Wandelbeurs fair at Jaarbeurs in Utrecht, Netherlands, within the Regional Cooperation Council’s (RCC) EU-funded, Tourism Development and Promotion Project. The presented tourism products, including guided and self-guided hiking and biking tours ...

22 Feb 2019
RCC introduces new regional cultural and adventure tourism routes at the International Fair of Tourism in Belgrade news

Belgrade – The RCC’s Tourism Development and Promotion Project introduced today the three new Western Balkans cultural routes and presented the development work done by the three tourism grants recipients at the largest international tourism fair in the South East European – IFT Belgrade. The RCC is currently developing routes that build and valorise on the unique Word War II monuments – ...

06 Dec 2018
Western Balkans endorses development of joint tourism routes news

RCC’s Tourism Expert Group meets in Vienna Vienna – The South East Europe Tourism Expert Group (TEG) endorsed a joint plan establishing the regional cultural and adventure tourism routes for the Western Balkans six, at the meeting held in Vienna today. “The agreement on how we are going to shape regional tourism offer is an important step forward in creating joint tourism products that ...

14 Nov 2018
RCC’s tourism project develops regional umbrella identity: Western Balkans - Crossroads of Civilisations news

Podgorica - The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC)’s Tourism Development and Promotion Project prepared and presented the new joint regional umbrella identity concept dubbed “Western Balkans - Crossroads of Civilisations”, at the WB  Tourism Focus Group meeting held today in Podgorica. “Development of an umbrella identity will help to further build the image of the Western Balkans ...

09 Nov 2018
Overview of Grants Recipients – 1st Call for Proposals, awarded by the RCC’s Tourism Development and Promotion Project information material

The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC)’s EU-funded Tourism Development and Promotion Project has awarded the first twelve, out of 30 + grants in total value of EUR 548,000. These grants are awarded to the best project proposals received through the public call for proposals looking for ideas intended to improve a joint Western Balkans cultural and adventure tourism offer, as well as infrastructure ...

09 Nov 2018
548.000 EUR worth grants awarded for improvement of Western Balkans cultural and adventure tourism news

RCC, EU grants spark tourism development in WB6  Sarajevo - The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC)’s EU-funded Tourism Development and Promotion Project has awarded the first twelve, out of 30 + grants in a total value of EUR 548,000, in Sarajevo today. These grants are awarded to the best project proposals received through the public call for proposals looking for ideas intended to improve ...

22 Oct 2018
Western Balkans promotes its adventure tourism offer at Adventure Travel World Summit – Powered by RCC.int news

Sarajevo – Regional Cooperation Council’s (RCC) Tourism Development and Promotion Project took the tour operators from the six Western Balkans economies to the annual Adventure Travel World Summit (ATWS), which was held in Montecatini, Italy  last week, to promote their offers and products. The ATWS is the single largest adventure travel gathering that enables business-to-business networking ...

09 Aug 2018
RCC continues fuelling regional cooperation in the field of youth creativity and tourism news

RCC international partner of the Sarajevo Film Festival for the second year in the row  Sarajevo – For the second year in a row, the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) is the international partner of the Sarajevo Film Festival (SFF), as a patron of the 'Heart of Sarajevo' award for the Best Student Film. The festival kicks-off tomorrow, 10 August 2018, and includes filmmakers from 12 South ...

15 Jul 2018
RCC launches tourism development grant scheme; 1.62 million euro made available news

Sarajevo – Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretariat launched today 1.62-million-euros worth grant scheme that will be utilised to improve infrastructure and quality of services along regional cultural and adventure tourism routes.  The scheme will include 30+ grants, worth up to 54,000 euros each, and will be implemented over a three-year period. “With this grant scheme ...

02 Jul 2018
Tourism Development and Promotion Project presentation by Snjezana Derviskadic, Project's Team Leader meeting document

Intervention by Snjezana Derviskadic, Project Leader of the RCC-led Tourism and Development and Promotion Project presented at the project launch in Sarajevo on 28 June 2018.

28 Jun 2018
New RCC project to focus on development of cultural and adventure tourism in the Western Balkans news

Project to award up to 30 small grants worth about 50.000 euro each   in 3 years SARAJEVO – The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) officially marked the beginning of its 3-year project dedicated to the development and promotion of tourism in the Western Balkans, in Sarajevo today. The project will help six Western Balkans economies to diversify and consolidate their cultural and adventure ...

27 Jun 2018
RCC’s Tourism Expert Group adopts “Crossroad of Civilisations” as a regional tourism identity, agrees on tourism routes to be developed news

Sarajevo – The South East Europe Tourism Expert Group (TEG) adopted “Crossroads of Civilisations” as a regional tourism identity that will be applied throughout all the routes development efforts in the framework of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC)’s Tourism Development and Promotion project, at its 7th meeting held on 27 June 2018 on Jahorina Mountain near Sarajevo. The RCC’s Tourism ...

27 Jun 2018
Regional Cooperation Council to launch Tourism Development and Promotion project for Western Balkans news

Sarajevo – The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) will launch its project on Tourism Development and Promotion in the Western Balkans on 28 June 2018, in Sarajevo, presenting its team, planned activities and expected results.   Relaying on the priorities set by the region’s governments, the RCC developed this Project  to improve, compile and promote cultural and adventure tourism ...

28 May 2018
Tourism Development & Promotion Brochure brochure

The Regional Cooperation Council’s Tourism Development & Promotion project works to develop and globally promote joint regional tourism routes and offers; improve skills and capacities in tourism industry; remove administrative barriers to tourism development; and increase inflow of tourists and tourism-generated revenues, thus contributing to the overall economic growth of the region.