The Project "Belasitsa - The Mountain of the Active People"
The Project "Belasitsa - The Mountain of the Active People" is implemented with the goal to create new alternative tourism products and promote the tourism potential of Belasitsa. It was launched in October 2016 and its duration is 15 months.
The project “Belasitsa the Mountain of the Active people” is jointly implemented by Mountaineering and Ecology Club Edelvajs – Strumica and Club for Extreme Sports and Mountaineering Bela Extreme – Petrich.
The project is co-funded by EU through the Interreg-IPA CBC Bulgaria–the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Programme
The main activities in the frame of the project include organizing and conducting the first cross-border trail running competition in Bulgaria, biketour at the foot of Belasitsa, educational events for children, establishement of two bike routes and others:
Bike tour Belaitsa will be an international bike tour that will go from Petrich (BG) to Strumica (MK) passing by some of the most notable tourist sites in the cross border area. There will be educational and promotional stations on the way.
Belasitsa Active Weekend will be the major event of the project. It will happen simultaneously in the two countries and consists of three trail running races, one mountain bike race and side promotional events involving info stands, activities for children, real time following of the races on the mountainside, etc.
Belasitsa Bike for children - these will be two educational and sport events for school children. One in Bulgaria and one in FYR Macedonia. Info stations will give information about the unique nature and culture of Belasitsa and the opportunities for cycling on the mountainside.
Two thematic bike trails (one in a country) will be established which will attract bikers and raise awareness of the rich nature, history and culture of Belasitsa cross-border region.
Promotion of the project and included events will be done through elaboration of web site; distribution of publications and TV interviews; elaboration of 5 short and attractive video clips promoting the area; a shot film “Belasitsa the Mountain of the Active People” and three info leaflets.
The major output of the project implementation will be the demonstrated potential of the cross border area of Belasitsa for alternative active tourism based on trail running and mountain biking. Furthermore the project will raise awareness about the values of Belasitsa and build a common image of the trans-border area as an attractive destination for active people. More than 700 participants are expected to directly take place in the project activities; 3 new events will be established in the cross border region with the tendency to become regular. Numerous personal and professional contacts will be created and capacity built for future successful cooperation in Belasitsa cross border region.