European Association of the Via Francigena ways, the Council of Europe cultural route, is ever committed to international cooperation and partnership in the domain of culture, heritage and sustainable tourism. That is why on 19 March 2020 the association in cooperation with cutting-edge international partners submitted two project proposals in the framework of the HORIZON 2020 financing scheme.

Horizon 2020 is the biggest European Union Research and Innovation programme with nearly 80 billion euros of funding available over 7 years (2014 to 2020). It allows breakthroughs, discoveries and world-firsts by developing and testing great ideas.

The EAVF has applied to the Horizon 2020 axe Transformation “Socioeconomic and Cultural Transformations in the Context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution”, focused on improvement of the design of cultural experiences by enhancing participatory and collaborative approaches and by fostering mutual cultural understanding and resilient strategies.

A project proposal, titled “ACTIVE4OURDEST – Actions on Cultural Tourism as Innovative for Operations in Urban and Regional Development towards Effective Sustainable Tourist destinations” aims to foster mutual cultural understanding and resilient strategies in sustainable tourism. It is led by the European Cultural Tourism Network in partnership with 30 European organisations including Council of Europe cultural routes of Iter Vitis and Phoenicians’ Route. The EAVF will be involved in its pilot axe to develop innovating certification scheme for its private stakeholders.

The other project proposal – “rurALLURE – Promotion of rural museums and heritage sites in the vicinity of European pilgrimage routes” is led by the University of Vigo in partnership with 15 cutting-edge research centres, innovation hubs and associations. It aims to foster cultural cooperation and tourism along the historic routes. The EAVF is involved in the pilot testing with a special focus on thermal heritage along the route. The association has also developed communication strategies for the entire consortium and will lead the dissemination of the outcomes.

Both projects aspire a budget of maximum 4 million euros for a duration of 36 months.

The EAVF is looking forward to receiving the funding to be able to greater contribute to sustainable tourism development along the Via Francigena and beyond.