PROJECT S.O.S. IN BRIEF
PROGRAMME: IPA CBC CRO-SRB
FULL PROJECT TITLE: Subotica Osijek Secession Tourist Route – Secesijska turistička ruta Subotica Osijek
PROJECT ACRONYM: S.O.S.
PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION PERIOD: 01/07/2017 - 30/06/2019 – 24 months
LEAD PARTNER:
Tourist Board of the City of Osijek
PROJECT PARTNERS:
Tourist Organization of the City of Subotica
City of Osijek
City of Subotica
Regional Development Agency of Slavonia and Baranja LLC for International and Regional Cooperation
PROJECT FINANCIAL STRUCTURE:
TOTAL PROJECT BUDGET: EUR 1,115,640.05
TOTAL BUDGET OF THE CITY OF SUBOTICA: EUR 396,441
EU Grant (85%) – EUR 336,974.85
Own Contribution (15%) – EUR 59,466.15
TOTAL BUDGET OF THE TOURIST ORGANIZATION OF THE CITY OF SUBOTICA: EUR 80,464.75
EU Grant (85%) – EUR 68,395.00
Own Contribution (15%) – EUR 12,069.71
EXPECTED PROJECT RESULTS:
CITY OF SUBOTICA – The City of Subotica will develop complete project and technical documentation for the reconstruction and restoration of the City Hall, as well as a study on the valorization of this landmark. Tourist signage will also be produced and installed along the Belgrade-Horgoš highway to promote this destination.
TOURIST ORGANIZATION OF THE CITY OF SUBOTICA – Creation of a cross-border and local Secession tourist route (database creation, route planning, and marking the route with signs, procurement of info boards). Project promotion and enhancement of the tourism offer (through joint appearances at fairs and exhibitions, a photo contest, creation of tourist attractions, and souvenirs).
The development challenges identified in the tourism sector of the CBC region connecting the two sister cities – Osijek and Subotica – are highly heterogeneous, with activities being implemented separately on both sides of the border. There is a lack of funds for the restoration of cultural heritage, a shortage of management and marketing skills, and low awareness among tourism stakeholders regarding tourist resources in the wider region and the expertise required for developing and promoting tourism products.
The strong historical and cultural connection between the cities of Osijek and Subotica can be seen today in the similar, yet distinct and highly valuable cultural heritage from the Secession period that the two cities share. The most important visual identities of both cities are reflected in their architecture, art, and urban planning. This Secession heritage represents the pinnacle of cultural, social, and economic development of these two historically significant urban centers. Unfortunately, neglected Art Nouveau heritage stands as a symbol of the difficult economic and social conditions currently shared by both cities.
In early 2016, the City of Osijek issued a public call for co-financing the restoration of cultural heritage facades in Osijek, with a specific focus on supporting the restoration of attractive Art Nouveau facades. This indicates that partial funds for the restoration of the Secession heritage have been secured. The reconstruction of Sakuntala Park in Osijek is a logical step forward in creating a new image for the city, both for tourists and the local community.
The City of Subotica, together with the City of Szeged (Hungary), participated as a partner in two successful CBC projects based on Secession heritage, thereby strengthening the city's orientation towards the tourism valorization of its Art Nouveau heritage. Following the renovation of the Subotica Synagogue, the next step is the reconstruction of the largest Secession building – the City Hall. The valorization of this shared cultural heritage through tourism presents an opportunity for growth and the creation of new employment opportunities.
The main result of the project is the creation and promotion of a joint thematic cultural heritage product – a Secession route connecting the sister cities of Osijek and Subotica, the revitalization of Sakuntala Park in Osijek as an attractive park architecture heritage site, and establishing the preconditions for the reconstruction of the City Hall in Subotica as the city's most important Secession heritage landmark. Furthermore, it includes upgrading the tourist infrastructure with brown signage at key traffic locations, installing various visual guides such as tactile maps for visually impaired individuals, increasing the skills and capacities of cultural and tourism stakeholders in heritage management and tourist destination development, and promoting new cross-border tourism products in local, interregional, and national markets.
The joint thematic route, as a new tourism product that integrates cultural heritage attractions, services, and products from both sides of the border, will increase the number of overnight stays in the programme area by 1,500 per year.
