Vista of Zbruch: Old Border Heritage is a project dedicated to unlocking the tourism potential and hospitality sector of the communities situated at the headwaters of the Zbruch River.
Partner communities: Lanivtsi, Pidvolochysk, Volochysk, Teofipol, Skoryky.
Implementation period: May 2025 – October 2026
Project goal: To use the cultural and historical heritage of the Lanivtsi, Pidvolochysk, Volochysk, and Teofipol communities, alongside their abundant water resources and local fishing and culinary traditions, to build a tourism model that drives the region’s economic growth.
Objectives
- Surveying cultural and historical heritage.
Building a network of tourist trails and a range of products reflecting local culture, history, and the region’s waterscapes.
- Mapping tourist routes.
Developing thematic routes, including accessibility features for people with disabilities.
- Exploring gastronomic heritage.
Documenting local culinary traditions linked to aquaculture, publishing a cookbook, and introducing traditional recipes into the menus of local eateries.
- Educational programs and business support.
Launching the “School of Tourism” intensive and an acceleration program to assist local entrepreneurs, artisans, and artists in the tourism and hospitality sector.
- Strengthening partnerships and long-term impact.
Developing the institutional capacity of the “VISTA ZBRUCH” cluster and executing a promotional campaign.
Funding:
The “Vista of Zbruch: Old Border Heritage” project is funded by a grant under the “Renaissance Clusters” program. This initiative is part of the Swiss-Ukrainian project “Cohesion and Regional Development of Ukraine” (UCORD), supported by Switzerland through the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and implemented by NIRAS Sweden AB.
Project results:
- Tourism Development Roadmap – a strategic document with practical recommendations for heritage-based tourism.
- Network of Tourist Routes – unique trails designed to make the region a destination for visitors.
- “Vista Zbruch” Guidebook (print and online) – a user-friendly tool for travellers.
- Local Recipe Collection – a project to preserve the region’s culinary identity.
- Small Business Development Program – support for micro and small enterprises, improving accessibility for people with disabilities, and engaging youth by raising service standards.
Project significance
The project provides a major boost to regional development. It works to safeguard intangible cultural heritage while encouraging economic activity, particularly at the local level.
By expanding tourism services, including eco-tourism, local catering, guided tours, equipment rentals etc., the project creates new opportunities for self-employment and small-scale entrepreneurship. It also ensures that cultural and tourist resources are accessible to a wider audience, building sustainable partnerships between communities.
