The current ‘hard’ project initiated by Ruse Municipality (BG) and Giurgiu Municipality (RO) is aimed at providing opportunities for sustainable use of cultural heritage and tourism development in order to create long-term socio-economic benefits for the local communities. It addresses two important common challenges in the programme area, namely the lack of investments in preserving and modernising valuable cultural and historic monuments and sites in the CBC region, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, the insufficient number of integrated tourist products, services and policies. Within the project’s scope two iconic cultural sites on both sides of the Danube River are included - the Pantheon of National Revival Heroes in Ruse and the Giurgiu Fortress. They are both suffering from different negative effects and have been in need of renovation and modernisation for years. Furthermore, they both refer to the common past of Ruse and Giurgiu, which could be considered as a basis for involving them into modern and integrated tourist products and services. The cross-border approach is definitely the most efficient way not only to overcome the problems which affect the rich cultural heritage of Ruse-Giurgiu cross-border region that is less known both at national and international level but also to make use of the huge potential these sites have with a view to tourism development in Ruse-Giurgiu CBC region by means of their joint management and joint promotion. The objective of the project is to increase the tourism attractiveness of Ruse-Giurgiu CBC region by improving the sustainable use of cultural heritage that will contribute to the economic welfare of the local communities, it will boost the local economy (particularly SMEs) and will lead to higher levels of employment. The expansion of public awareness is of great importance of the region’s iconic cultural and historic sites. Both, the Pantheon in Ruse and the Fortress in Giurgiu, are currently considered to have predominantly local and national significance. Hence, the originality of the current project proposal stems from the fact that it will introduce a new, cross-border dimension and integrate the sites into a tourist offer of European importance. Тhe desired result is to create integrated cross-border tourism products based upon joint management and coordination which itself represents a policy innovation for the target area. In this way, the capacities of the beneficiary institutions but also of the relevant stakeholders in the field of tourism will be improved with a view to restoring, preserving and promoting cultural and historic assets in a sustainable and attractive way. This involves an unprecedented commitment to bring together the residents of the cross-border area and motivating them to rediscover their common cultural and historic heritage and to disclose it to the broader public, thus attracting visitors from across the world. The overall project objective will be achieved through the main project activities> which will include inter alia: reconstruction of the Pantheon of National Revival Heroes in Ruse and introduction of multimedia (e.g. 360-degree multimedia presentation); valorisation of the area adjacent to the Giurgiu Fortress and its integration in a tourist circuit by developing and equipping the fortress with modern fittings pointing out the material and spiritual values created by mankind over time as well as the material and spiritual values of the present; elaboration of a joint management plan for common preservation, development and utilization of cultural heritage; elaboration of a joint marketing strategy including joint branding and joint promotion of the integrated cross-border tourism products); elaboration of a catalogue and a website presenting iconic cultural heritage in Ruse-Giurgiu CBC region; development of an integrated tourism route; information and publicity activities providing information about the project progress and achievements to the interested stakeholders; etc. The project will contribute to the following Programme outputs targeted by this call I 9 - Number of integrated tourism products/services created: 1 representing 2,33% of Programme Output indicator I9 - Number of integrated tourism products/services created. I 10 - Number of common strategies, policies or management plans for valorising (including raising awareness) the cultural and natural heritage through its restoration and promotion for sustainable economic uses: 2 representing 8,70% of Programme Output indicator I10 - Number of common strategies, policies or management plans for valorising (including raising awareness) the cultural and natural heritage through its restoration and promotion for sustainable economic uses. I 12 - Financial indicator: The project indicative budget amounts to 1 500 000 euro (1 000 000 euro for Ruse Municipality and 500 000 euro for Giurgiu Municipality) representing 5,12% of Programme Output indicator I12 –