As part of the Interreg VI-A Slovenia–Croatia InterWine Project, a motivational workshop was held in Velika Gorica, bringing together stakeholders from the tourism, wine, public and cultural sectors to strengthen cooperation and foster the development of sustainable and innovative wine and gastronomy tourism products. The event took place at the InterWine Centre in Velika Gorica, established as the project's central Croatian hub for education, presentations, stakeholder networking and the development of cross-border tourism experiences.
During the workshop, participants were introduced to the InterWine digital platform, which brings together key information about the project partners, InterWine Centres and future tourism experiences and itineraries. The platform has been developed to improve access to information and strengthen cooperation among stakeholders.
Ivana Alilović, Director of the Zagreb County Tourist Board, emphasised the importance of involving local stakeholders at every stage of the project's development and implementation, noting that their participation ensures the project's long-term value and sustainability. "InterWine demonstrates how important it is for local stakeholders to be actively involved in both the development process and the outcomes of the project. They are the ones who provide the content, authenticity and stories that go far beyond the project itself. In this way, what we create does not remain merely a project result but becomes a living, sustainable destination story that continues to grow long after the project activities have been completed," said Ivana Alilović.
A special focus of the workshop was placed on the preservation and interpretation of the cultural heritage of Turopolje. The participation of the Turopolje Banderium further showcased the region's local identity and traditions. At the same time, the Noble Municipality of Turopolje was presented as one of the key custodians of the area's historical and cultural heritage. Through the InterWine project, this heritage is being interpreted and integrated into contemporary tourism experiences.
The programme was further enriched by a performance from the Jane Ensemble, whose music added to the festive atmosphere and highlighted the close connection between the cultural and tourism dimensions of the project.
Following the official programme, participants took part in a networking session, providing stakeholders from different sectors with the opportunity to exchange experiences, establish new partnerships and discuss future joint activities within the InterWine project.
The workshop also welcomed numerous local stakeholders, including representatives of wineries, associations and institutions actively contributing to the development of the region's wine and gastronomy offer and strengthening local cooperation.
The event concluded with the announcement of the next stage of the InterWine educational programme, which continued in Velika Gorica on 15 and 16 June with a two-day training course dedicated to sustainable tourism. The programme focused on strengthening stakeholders' knowledge and skills while supporting the development of sustainable tourism products through practical workshops and best-practice examples.
The InterWine Project is implemented in partnership with the Zagreb County Tourist Board as the lead partner, together with the City of Velika Gorica, the Municipality of Pušća, ZPTM Brežice, the Posavje Museum Brežice, the University of Maribor – Faculty of Tourism, and the Crafts Training Institution. Together, the partners are developing a cross-border network of InterWine Centres and tourism experiences across Croatia and Slovenia.
The project is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the Interreg VI-A Slovenia–Croatia Programme.
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