Julia Mits at the CAST Projects’ study visit
Photo credits: Julia Mits und Klemen Ceglar
As part of the EU’s Interreg Danube Region Programme, the CAST (Culture trAnSforming communiTies and economies) project brings together partners from across the Danube region to explore the transformative power of culture. IDM contributes to the project through the leading of the project’s communication management. In June 2025, CAST partners convened for a study visit in Slovenia, Višnja Gora where stakeholders from civil society, academia, and local authorities exchanged best practices and explored inclusive models of cultural tourism. The two-day workshop served as an excellent opportunity for partners to deepen their understanding of each other’s pilot actions, build stronger connections, and set shared goals for the upcoming project phase.
The first day of the visit began with a presentation by Irina Cosma from the European Strategy for the Danube Region, who shared the vision and upcoming activities of Priority Area 3 – Culture and Tourism – and introduced the CLOSe project. An interactive “speed dating” workshop session encouraged all participants to briefly present their pilot initiatives in a dynamic and participatory format. This approach fostered mutual curiosity, early collaboration, and a stronger understanding of the diversity and relevance of the local actions being developed under the CAST framework. In the afternoon, the group explored local examples of inclusive cultural tourism such as an educational beehive at Beekeeping Rogelj, where participants learned about honey production and how traditional ecological practices can contribute to sustainable tourism and community learning. Later, the group visited the tourist village of Pristava, a rural tourism site that blends cultural heritage, local engagement, and eco-tourism.
The second day of the study visit began with a warm welcome by the mayor of Ivančna Gorica Municipality, who emphasized the significance of intercultural dialogue and community-led tourism in regional development. This was followed by a session on the CAST workflow, with a particular focus on the forthcoming tasks related to Specific Objective 1. Another collaborative workshop then brought together all project partners to reflect on their respective competencies, motivations, and target audiences. Structured as a world café, the session divided participants into three rotating groups, each facilitated by Bözse Hosszu (MOME), Alexandra Zlotea (Urbasofia), and Simona Lazarova (Collective). The aim was to gather qualitative input to prepare the development of shared indicators for tracking enhanced competences in participatory methods and cultural identity-related practices.
In the afternoon, Julia Mits (IDM) presented the key elements of the project’s communication strategy and key to-dos for the project partners. She provided an update on the project’s visibility efforts and outlined a list of relevant platforms where CAST could be represented. The session also encouraged partners to align their dissemination strategies with broader project goals.
One key highlight of the visit was a discussion on how cultural events can strengthen underrepresented communities. Participants shared insights on the barriers that still prevent many from engaging in cultural life — from physical accessibility to linguistic exclusion — and examined ways to make regional heritage more participatory. The communication strategy also reflects these ambitions. It focuses on co-creation, storytelling, and inclusive language, with the aim of raising awareness about the value of cultural participation. Alongside practical tools, the strategy outlines guidelines for events, social media outreach, and partnerships with local media.
By mid-2025, CAST will launch a series of pilot initiatives in the Danube Region, testing accessible tourism routes, community-based heritage projects, and inclusive cultural festivals. These pilots are expected to generate replicable models and policy recommendations that contribute to a more inclusive European cultural space.
