Inclusive Border Cycling

The IBC (Inclusive Border Cycling) project aims to promote social inclusion and sustainable tourism by enhancing and integrating cultural and natural heritage along cycling routes in disadvantaged, remote border areas of the Danube region. Specifically, it addresses challenges such as demographic issues, social vulnerability, and infrastructure gaps that affect these areas.

By developing inclusive, community-driven cycling trails that actively involve vulnerable local groups (e.g., elderly people and marginalized communities), the project seeks to create more attractive and competitive cycling tourism options. Additionally, the project includes transnational marketing strategies to appeal to European tourists, especially those interested in socially responsible and community-based tourism.

• Valorising Local Cultural Heritage: Integrating local cultural values into the cycling tourism offer through storytelling and traditional crafts, strengthening local identity and community cohesion.
• Integration of Local Products: Promoting local products as part of the tourism offer to create income sources for rural communities, thus supporting their economic resilience.
• Inclusive Cycling Route Maintenance Model: Developing maintenance models that engage local vulnerable social groups, strengthening their connection to the routes and fostering a sense of community ownership.
• Targeted Tourism Packages for the Elderly and Young Generation: Developing and test tailored tourism packages and intergenerational volunteer programs that cater specifically to the needs of elderly visitors, providing a comfortable and enjoyable experience.
• Transnational Marketing Strategy: Creating a marketing strategy for rural cycling routes focused on social inclusion and easy accessibility. This strategy will be supported by unique promotional activities, such as the Social Inclusion Travel Challenge, to reach a broader audience.

These elements will be implemented throughout the project to support the sustainable and inclusive development of cycling tourism, benefiting local communities and promoting economic growth in the border areas of the Danube region.

The Inclusive Border Cycling (IBC) project has been recognised as an EUSDR (EU Strategy for the Danube Region) Flagship Project under Priority Area 3 – Culture and Tourism for 2025–2026. This prestigious designation acknowledges IBC’s outstanding contribution to sustainable tourism, social inclusion, and the promotion of cultural and natural heritage in border regions across the Danube Region. As a Flagship Project, IBC serves as an example of successful transnational cooperation, supporting territorial cohesion and enhancing the attractiveness of remote border areas through inclusive cycling tourism initiatives.