Danube Region, Bulgaria
CAST – Culture trAnSforming communiTies and economies, DRP0301401
Lead partner
ZAVOD ISKRIVA, ISKRISCE ZA RAZVOJ LOKALNIH POTENCIALOV, Slovenia
Implementation period
01.04.2025 – 31.03.2028
The Collective Foundation participates as a partner in the implementation of the CAST project, carried out by 14 organisations from 11 countries in the Danube region. CAST – Culture trAnSforming communiTies and economies – is supported by the Interreg Danube Region Programme 2021-2027, co-financed by the EU. The content of this document reflects the authors’ views and does not in any way represent the official opinion of the EU.The Collective Foundation participates as a partner in the implementation of the CAST project, carried out by 14 organisations from 11 countries in the Danube region. CAST – Culture trAnSforming communiTies and economies – is supported by the Interreg Danube Region Programme 2021-2027, co-financed by the EU. The content of this document reflects the authors’ views and does not in any way represent the official opinion of the EU.
Project description:
CAST aims to transform the role of cultural heritage and culture – from a static element into a dynamic driver of socio-economic development and social inclusion. Despite the rich cultural heritage of the Danube region, its potential often remains underutilised. CAST addresses this challenge by promoting a new understanding of culture as an active resource for innovation, social cohesion, and sustainable growth. The project contributes to achieving a just and green transition, aligned with the vision of the European Union.
The project partners from the Danube region will develop a model to support local communities in offering inclusive cultural activities and sustainable tourism products. Through pilot actions, the model will be tested and validated in diverse contexts, ensuring its applicability and effectiveness across various cultural environments.
The Collective Foundation will contribute to this transformation in the Danube region by selecting Lyulin – the largest residential district in Bulgaria, located in Sofia – as its pilot activity site.
Lyulin has long suffered from a lack of resources and is weakly connected to the cultural and social life of the capital. However, the district holds enormous potential for community activation, creation of local culture, and establishing itself as a model for new forms of art creation and sharing. The project offers opportunities for pilot cultural initiatives aimed at transforming public spaces into shared cultural hubs. These hubs will be created jointly with the residents to establish them as active cultural participants. Through CAST, the Collective Foundation will have the opportunity to transform neglected spaces into dynamic places for art and community exchange. This will improve the environment, encourage cultural participation, and make the district more attractive to both residents and visitors or tourists.
Other pilot activities include diverse cultural initiatives in Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Montenegro, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, Moldova, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, addressing themes such as industrial heritage, biodiversity, accessible culture, and multicultural tourism.
Based on the results of the pilot actions, the partners will develop the CAST model applicable throughout the Danube region. Through joint promotion and policy integration, efforts will be made to establish and introduce it into regional strategies, as well as transfer it to other regions.
By presenting the model during existing and specially organised events, including the unique Danube Caravan Festival, the project will reach a broad audience and ensure sustainable impact.
Learn more about the project and follow its progress on its official website.
