The Interreg South Baltic Programme, among others, co-finances projects that protect culture and heritage, make cultural activities easier to access, and help develop sustainable cultural tourism across the region. Presented below are three funded projects and their main activities.
What it is: A project building a tourist route of manor houses and palaces across Poland, Denmark, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Germany and Sweden.
Why it matters: The region has more than 5,000 historic manor sites. The route helps promote these places, bring visitors to rural areas, create jobs for local communities and protect shared history.
Key activities:
– Joint promotion, visitor offers and marketing for manor sites.
– An international exhibition “Baltic Manors” in partner countries.
– Cycling routes on the EV10 called “Baltic Manors” available on www.komoot.com
– In 2025 the project supported the 6th Festival of Northern Kashubian Manors and Palaces, a three‑day event opening many historic sites for concerts, shows, exhibitions and workshops.
– Digital guides and virtual tours of selected palaces on the project website
What it is: A project that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to make cultural places more accessible.
Why it matters: AIMused helps people with disabilities use museums, visitor centres and heritage sites more easily. It also teaches staff how to use new tools in a responsible way.
Key activities:
– Working with people with disabilities and local organisations to design and test tools.
– Training staff in tourism and education on accessibility and ethical use of AI.
– Building a network to share good practice and roll out solutions across the region.
Goal: Make the South Baltic area a model region for accessible and inclusive cultural tourism.
What it is: A project creating a network of maritime tourism centres focused on the South Baltic’s sea heritage.
Why it matters: It helps protect maritime traditions, supports local businesses and promotes responsible tourism linked to ports, museums and marinas.
Key activities:
– Developing hubs in historic ports and museums that offer learning and activities.
– Sailings, visits to historic ships and boat‑building workshops (for example activities in Gdańsk and training cruises on the ship Generał Zaruski).
– Joint events like festivals, craft workshops and themed cruises to attract visitors.
Together, these projects preserve shared cultural heritage, open sites to wider audiences, boost local economies by creating jobs and supporting businesses, and promote sustainable tourism that protects natural landscapes and historic assets for future generations.
The full article appeared in Polish in issue 1/2026 of the quarterly magazine “W centrum”, issued by the Programme Hosting Institution, the Center of European Projects.