Project overview
Innovative participatory sustainable business model for cycling along the Iron Curtain Trail
The potential of transnational cycling routes for tourism is still underdeveloped in central Europe. This includes the Iron Curtain Eurovelo Trail, which connects regions from Poland to Croatia along the European Green Belt. The ICTr-CE project improved the business case for this route by developing new tourism products. These result from a newly developed participatory business model, which strengthens the innovation capacities of local businesses.
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2,67m €
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Project Budget
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80%
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of the Budget is funded by ERDF
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9
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Countries
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11
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Regions
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12
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Partners
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2
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Pilots
Duration
Start date
End date
Project progress
About the project
Project partnership
Project partners
Lead partner
Westpannon Regional and Economic Development Public Nonprofit Ltd.
Project partner
Main unit
Faculty for tourism studies - Turistica
Marshal's Office of the Westpomeranian Region / Marshal's Cabinet / Office of Promotional and Information Projects and Department of Infrastructure and Transport / Office for Cycling Communication
Wydział Gospodarki Komunalnej – Referat Mobilności Aktywnej (The Municipal Services Management Department – The Active Mobility Unit)
Roadmap
From Idea to Impact
The ICTr‑CE project was developed as a transnational journey connecting regions, stakeholders, and ideas along EuroVelo 13 - Iron Curtain Trail. From its launch in 2023 to its completion in 2026, the project followed a structured path of research, co-creation, testing, and implementation. This roadmap highlights the key phases, milestones, and achievements that shaped the development of innovative and sustainable cycling tourism solutions across Central Europe.
Project Phases
The project progressed through four interconnected phases that guided its development from initial analysis to long-term impact. In the first phase, partners focused on understanding regional needs, analysing stakeholders, and identifying opportunities for improving cycling tourism along EuroVelo 13 - Iron Curtain Trail. This foundation enabled the second phase, where innovative tourism products and a participatory business model were co-developed in collaboration with local stakeholders and experts. Building on this work, the third phase focused on testing and refining these solutions through pilot actions across different regions, ensuring their relevance and applicability in real conditions. In the final phase, the project consolidated its results, developed tools for measuring impact, and worked on transferring knowledge and solutions to wider European networks, ensuring that the outcomes continue beyond the project lifetime.
Key Milestones
Throughout its implementation, the ICTr‑CE project reached several important milestones that marked its progress and ensured continuous development. The official project launch in 2023 established a strong partnership across Central Europe and initiated collaboration among stakeholders. This was followed by a series of stakeholder workshops and analyses, which laid the groundwork for designing innovative tourism concepts. As the project progressed, pilot areas were selected and activated, enabling real-life testing of the developed solutions (Impact Measurement System, Carbon Footprint Calculator and Good Impact Cycling) as well as capacity-building activities designed to give SMEs additional knowledge on digitalisation, marketing, use of AI technologies and local heritage sites connected to EuroVelo 13 - Iron Curtain Trail. The participatory business model was gradually refined through collaboration and feedback, leading to its finalisation as a key project output. The project concluded with the dissemination of results, knowledge exchange, and the presentation of outcomes to stakeholders and wider audiences, ensuring visibility and uptake.
Achievements and Results
The ICTr‑CE project delivered a set of tangible and transferable results that strengthen cycling tourism along EuroVelo 13 - Iron Curtain Trail. One of the main outcomes is the development of an innovative transnational tourism product that connects diverse regions under a common concept - Good Impact Cycling. In parallel, a participatory business model was created to support cooperation between small and medium-sized enterprises, tourism organisations, and public authorities. The project also introduced innovative tools that enhance the innovation capacity of stakeholders, including methods for assessing tourism impacts and improving sustainability. These tools are the basis for the Good Impact Programme, which is an innovative approach to introducing regenerative tourism along the EuroVelo 13. Through pilot actions and transnational capacity-building events and cooperation, partners established ICTr Alliance, a strong network, that supports knowledge exchange and future development. These results contribute to making cycling tourism more sustainable, competitive, and attractive across Central Europe.
Lasting Impact
Although the ICTr‑CE project has officially concluded, its impact continues through the application and transfer of its results by the ICTr Alliance and EuroVelo 13 Partnership. The developed solutions are designed to be adaptable and can be implemented along other sections of the EuroVelo network and beyond. Stakeholders and partners will continue to build on the foundation that has been created within the ICTr-CE project. Stakeholders involved in the project have strengthened their capacities and established long-term cooperation, enabling further innovation in cycling tourism. By fostering collaboration, promoting sustainable practices, and supporting local economies, the project has created a foundation for continued growth and development. The knowledge, tools, and connections built during the project ensure that its benefits extend well beyond its duration, contributing to a more resilient and sustainable tourism ecosystem in Central Europe.
News
Events
Pilot actions
Outputs
Innovative ICTr tourism product and business model
Impact measurement system for cycling tourism product
Pilot action on climate neutral ICTr travel by testing the environmental footprint calculator and cycling product impact measurement system
ICTr Good Impact Programme
Sustainability and transferability plan (STP) for the integrated ICTr
Project documents
How to take advantage of EuroVelo 13 by developing cycling-friendly services?
Project images
ICTr-CE
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