Programme: Interreg VI-A Italy–Slovenia 2021–2027, capitalisation project
Total amount: 749.791,97 €; ERDF contribution: 599.833,57 €
Duration: 1/10/2023–30/9/2025, 24 months
Policy objective: PO4 – A more social and inclusive Europe implementing the European Pillar of Social Rights
Specific objective: SO6 – enhancing the role of culture and sustainable tourism in economic development, social inclusion and social innovation
Project partners:
LP – PromoTurismo Friuli Venezia Giulia
PP2 – Ustanova “Fundacija Poti miru v Posočju”
PP3 – Posoški razvojni center
PP4 – Občina Komen
PP5 – Comune di Duino Aurisina – Občina Devin Nabrežina
Associative partners:
AP1 – GAL VENEZIA ORIENTALE
AP2 – GECT GO/EZTS GO
AP3 – Slovenska turistična organizacija
AP4 – Znanstvenoraziskovalni center Slovenske akademije znanosti in umetnosti (ZRC SAZU)
WALKofPEACE+ (WoP+) is the continuation and capitalisation of the strategic project, WALKofPEACE – “Sustainable development of WW1 Heritage from the Alps and the Adriatic”, co-funded by the V-A Italy‒Slovenia Interreg Programme, which was carried out between 2018 and 2022. The project established an international trademark, Walk of Peace brand, set up a 500 km long cross-border hiking trail, Walk of Peace from the Alps to the Adriatic, that connects more than 300 monuments on the Slovene and the Italian side, renovated heritage sites and WW1 museums, carried out several exhibitions, conferences, other study and research activities, organised different cultural, promotional and educational events. The Walk of Peace became an example of good practice of cross-border cultural tourism. In 2020, on the 30th anniversary of Interreg programmes, the WALKofPEACE was selected as the best Interreg project in Europe.
The main objective of the WALKofPEACE+ capitalisation project is to upgrade the existing tourism and study activities, continuation of the restoration and preservation of WW1 heritage and the trail itself, and preparation of collaboration agreements between key partners.
The main results of the project, which will contribute to the future development and long-term cross-border management of WW1 heritage and the Walk of Peace from the Alps to the Adriatic trail will be:
– promotional and informative material on Walk of Peace (guidebook, promotional leaflets in Slovene, Italian and English language and a promotional film),
– a new cross-border Outdoor Museum Hermada/Grmada between the Municipalities of Komen and Duino Aurisina/Devin Nabrežina,
-hiking mobile app for the Walk of Peace,
-study tours and workshops for tourism providers, guides and journalists,
-guided tours for schools and wider public and numerous events (also in connection with the European Capital of Culture Nova Gorica – Gorizia 2025),
-establishment of an association of tourism providers along the Walk of Peace from the Alps to the Adriatic,
-a study on building a cycling route in the area of the Walk of Peace,
-research and documentation of two Austro-Hungarian war cemeteries in Aurisina/Nabrežina and Ajdovščina,
-a memorandum on long-term collaboration between the Walk of Peace Foundation and PromoTurismoFVG,
-a letter of support, which will be signed, together with the Foundation and PromoTurismoFVG, by all the municipalities in the area of the Walk of Peace from the Alps to the Adriatic.
