site.btaPirot Continues Renovation of Fortress Under Bulgaria-Serbia Cross-Border Programme

The city of Pirot in eastern Serbia is planning to continue the renovation of its local tourist attraction, the Pirot Fortress, said Marija Djosic, head of the Local Economic Development Office of Pirot Municipality.

In order to complete the renovation, the town has applied under the INTERREG VІ-А IPA Bulgaria-Serbia 2021-2027 cross-border programme. The city will also open a modern tourist and educational centre in the village of Temska, about 20 km from Pirot, with the projected budget for both projects worth about EUR 1 million, noted Djosic, adding that both projects have successfully passed the first stage of evaluation.

Partners of the projects will be the Museum of Ponisavlje and the Pirot House of Culture, while on the Bulgarian side Montana Municipality, the Development Agency of Northwest Bulgaria, Pravets Municipality, and the Initiative for Varshets will participate in the implementation of the projects.

Djosic said that in the 2014-2021 programming period, more than 20 projects from various fields were implemented in Pirot, and gave the example of the renovated space in front of the sports and rehabilitation centre in the village of Doikintsi and the construction of the Adrenalin Park for young people. Pirot's partners on these projects from the Bulgarian side were Montana Municipality, Varshets Municipality and non-governmental organizations.

The INTERREG VІ-А IPA Bulgaria-Serbia cross-border programme covers the Serbian districts of Bor, Zaichar, Nish, Pirot, Toplica, Jablanica and Pcinja, and the Bulgarian regions of Vidin, Montana, Vratsa, Pernik, Kyustendil and Sofia. Over 100 projects with a total value of more than EUR 35 million were implemented during the programming period 2014-2020, while more than EUR 38 million are planned for projects during the 2021-2027 programming period.