On Thursday, 24 May 2018, at 12:30, was the official launch of the Project "Extension of ViP DinaricA in the CBC Region Albania-Kosovo" Grant Contract No. 2018/395-022. The overall value of the project "Extension of ViP DinaricA in the CBC Region Albania – Kosovo"  amounts to 444,684.38 EUR, out of this amount 377,981.73 EUR is funded by the European Union which is 85% of the overall value of the project within CBC Region Albania – Kosovo. 

Implementation of project started on 15 March 2018 and will last for 24 months. The project is implemented by Community Development Fund (CDF) from Kosovo on one side of the border in partnership with Albanian Development Fund (ADF) from Albania on the other side of the border.

The implementation of the project will contribute to enhance cross-border (CB) economic activities through unique sustainable tourism models based on natural, traditional and cultural values, while bringing forth shared characteristics of the region. More specifically, the project will develop two new hiking and biking long-distance trails that would connect Kosovo, Bjeshkët e Nemuna, Municipalities of Gjakova, Deçan, Junik and Peja and Albania, Municipalities of Kukës Region, Lezha Region.

Development of these trails will contribute to enrich tourism offer that links mountain communities and tourism stakeholders in target region for valorization of unique natural wealth & cultural-historic heritage. Furthermore, the project would Increase attractiveness of the area for visitors through small-scale interventions and effective promotion and marketing of the destination. Apart from these, the project is a continuation of the previous concepts of Via Dinarica and Peaks of the Balkans that inter-connects Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Kosovo and Albania through over 1000km of uninterrupted long-distance trails.   

The project will have a number of activities which namely include: improvement  and upgrade of small scale tourism infrastructure, development of touristic offers within ViP DinaricA; mapping and GPS tracking of the routes in the CB region, joint market access programme, building capacities of Albanian and Kosovar mountaineering clubs and promotion, awareness raising, and destination marketing. The implementation of the project will also raise awareness on economic, environmental & social benefits of long-distance trails, increase attractiveness and competitiveness of the tourist offer in project cross border area between Albania and Kosovo.