[Municipality of Berane]

Dear Partners,

On behalf of the Municipality of Berane, Montenegro, I am writing to express our strong interest in joining project partnerships and consortia focused on sustainable tourism and the development of innovative, inclusive and environmentally friendly tourism models within the Euro-Mediterranean cooperation framework.

The Municipality of Berane is particularly interested in participating as a project partner in initiatives addressing sustainable tourism, agri-tourism, rural tourism, valorisation of local agricultural products, nature-based tourism, cultural and natural heritage, and the development of sustainable tourism experiences in rural and mountainous areas.

Berane is situated in northeastern Montenegro and covers an area of 496 km², encompassing 66 settlements. According to the 2023 Census, the municipality has 24,645 inhabitants, with a significant share of the population living in suburban and rural areas. The municipality is located in the Berane Basin, surrounded by the Bjelasica, Cmiljevica, Tivran and Previja mountains, with the Lim River running through its centre. Its diverse natural landscapes, mountainous areas, rural settlements, agricultural potential and cultural heritage provide a strong basis for the development of sustainable and nature-based tourism.

The Municipality of Berane has recently adopted its Strategic Development Plan 2025–2031, which identifies tourism development, sustainable management of natural resources, environmental protection, sustainable mobility and the improvement of public infrastructure among its important development priorities.

We see considerable potential for developing stronger links between agriculture and tourism, particularly through the promotion of local producers, traditional agricultural products and food, rural households, local gastronomy and authentic tourism experiences. We are also interested in initiatives that support local communities, young people and rural entrepreneurs in creating new sustainable tourism products and services.

The Municipality of Berane has extensive experience in EU-funded projects and international and cross-border cooperation, including participation in programmes such as URBACT, IPA ADRION and Interreg Europe. Our experience in transnational cooperation, stakeholder engagement, project implementation, dissemination and local-level coordination enables us to contribute actively to international project partnerships.

As a project partner, the Municipality of Berane can contribute through:

identification of local needs, challenges and potential pilot locations;
cooperation with local communities, farmers, tourism stakeholders and businesses;
involvement of relevant municipal departments and local institutions;
participation in the development and implementation of pilot activities;
testing and demonstration of sustainable tourism solutions at local level;
promotion and valorisation of local agricultural and traditional products;
dissemination and communication activities;
exchange of knowledge and experience with international partners.
We are particularly interested in joining existing project concepts as well as developing new project ideas together with municipalities, public authorities, NGOs, development agencies, universities, research institutions, tourism organisations, agricultural organisations and other relevant stakeholders from the Euro-Mediterranean region.

We believe that Berane’s combination of natural resources, rural areas, agricultural potential and experience in international cooperation can provide valuable added value to projects aimed at creating more sustainable, resilient and inclusive tourism destinations.

We would be pleased to discuss potential cooperation and are fully available for an online meeting to explore possible project ideas and partnership opportunities.

We look forward to establishing cooperation with interested partners.

[María Celeste Clarembaux]

Dear Municipality of Berane team,

Thank you for sharing your partner profile. We believe that the Municipality of Berane could be a very relevant partner for a Transfer Project proposal that we are currently developing under the Interreg Euro-MED Call 7 – Sustainable Tourism.

The proposal, ETHNIC+ MED, aims to transfer and scale up tested eco-cultural tourism solutions developed within the Interreg Italy-Croatia ETHNIC project, led by Unione Montana Montefeltro (Italy), which will also act as Lead Partner and Giver in the new proposal.

The project focuses on rural, mountainous, low-density and less-visited Mediterranean territories and will transfer tested approaches for the development of eco-cultural tourism products, thematic circuits and experiences, together with a methodology for their positioning, storytelling and market uptake. Your territorial characteristics and the priorities mentioned in your post – particularly rural and mountain tourism, cultural and natural heritage, local products, local communities and sustainable tourism experiences – appear highly relevant to the project concept.

We would therefore be very interested in discussing the possible involvement of the Municipality of Berane as a Territorial Taker Partner in ETHNIC+ MED.

I would be pleased to send you our short Concept Note and discuss the proposal directly with you.

Best regards,
María Celeste Clarembaux
EU Project Designer & Manager
Proposal development in coordination with Unione Montana Montefeltro (UMM) – Lead Partner

[Ana Lacao]

Dear María Celeste Clarembaux

I am contacting you on the behalf of AREANATejo. We are currently working under RECinMED Project.
AREANATejo is the Regional Energy and Environment Agency of Alto Alentejo Region, in Portugal. We play a central role and works closely with local communities; our geographical area of operation covers the 15 municipalities belonging to Alto Alentejo sub-region/Portalegre District (Alter do Chão, Arronches, Avis, Campo Maior, Castelo de Vide, Crato, Elvas, Fronteira, Gavião, Marvão, Monforte, Nisa, Portalegre, Ponte de Sor and Sousel), with around 105.000 inhabitants (2021 census) and an average surface area of 6.000 km². AREANATejo’s vision is to contribute to energy efficiency and the better use of local resources and renewable energy, ensuring the region’s development.
Alto Alentejo is one of the most sparsely populated regions in Portugal. The area faces continuous aging populations and rural depopulation,
The majority of the landscape consists of vast, undulating peneplains with elevations ranging from 200 m to 400 m, predominantly covered by open cork oak and holm oak woodlands (montado), olive groves, and agricultural land. The region’s defining orographic landmark is the Serra de São Mamede, a mountain range rising to 1,025 meters at its highest peak.
The tourism profile of Alto Alentejo revolves around its rich historical heritage, fortresses, outdoor activities, and authentic food and wine culture.
Taking this into account, we therefore are very interested in discussing our possible involvement as a Territorial Taker Partner in ETHNIC+ MED.

[KLOMENTINA DRINI]

Dear Team,
I am contacting you on behalf of the Municipality of Vau Dejës, Albania, following the information shared on the Interreg Euro-MED Partner Forum regarding the ETHNIC+ MED proposal, currently being developed under Interreg Euro-MED Call 7 – Sustainable Tourism, in coordination with Unione Montana Montefeltro (Italy) as Lead Partner and Giver.
The Municipality of Vau Dejës is a local public authority from Albania, an IPA country participating in the Interreg Euro-MED cooperation area, and we would be very interested in exploring the possibility of joining ETHNIC+ MED as an IPA Project Partner / Territorial Taker Partner.
We believe that our territory is highly relevant to the proposed concept. Vau Dejës combines rural and mountain areas, the Vau Dejës–Koman lake area and the Drin River, traditional villages, natural landscapes, cultural and religious heritage, local traditions and events, gastronomy, agricultural products, crafts and local communities.
We are particularly interested in adapting and testing the approaches developed through ETHNIC for eco-cultural tourism products, thematic routes and experiences, storytelling and interpretation of local heritage, valorisation of local products, and stronger positioning and market uptake of sustainable tourism experiences.
As a local public authority and receiving territory, the Municipality of Vau Dejës can contribute through territorial assessment, engagement of local communities and stakeholders, identification of local tourism and heritage assets, adaptation and testing of transferred solutions, implementation of pilot activities, and institutional uptake of successful approaches into municipal tourism policies and practices.
We therefore see a strong potential for Vau Dejës to act as a Territorial Taker Partner, adapting the tested ETHNIC solutions to a new IPA territory and contributing to their transferability across different Mediterranean rural and mountain contexts.
Given the strong territorial fit and the short timeframe before the Call 7 deadline, we would be very interested to know whether there is still an opportunity for the Municipality of Vau Dejës to join the ETHNIC+ MED consortium.
If possible, we would appreciate receiving the short Concept Note, together with information on the envisaged role, activities and indicative budget for a Territorial Taker Partner, as well as any documentation or information you would need from our Municipality.
I am fully available for direct communication by email and can respond promptly throughout the remaining proposal preparation period. The Municipality is ready to provide the required institutional information, partner documentation and Application Form inputs at short notice, in order to facilitate the timely completion of the proposal.
We would be pleased to cooperate with your team and Unione Montana Montefeltro and look forward to hearing from you.
Kind regards,
Klomentina Drini
Director of European Integration and Projects
Municipality of Vau Dejës, Albania
Email: klomentina.drini@vaudejes.gov.al

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