Two Innovation Hubs for Sustainable and Inclusive Tourism in Zagori and Dardhë through Interreg-RISTOR
Athens, 18 December 2025 – Two mountainous villages, Demati in Zagori and Dardhë in Albania, which experienced intense out-migration and partial depopulation during the 20th century, are becoming the focal point of a new initiative aimed at revitalising local communities through sustainable tourism.
The initiative is part of the cross-border Interreg-RISTOR programme, co-funded by the European Union under the Interreg VI-A IPA “Greece–Albania 2021–2027” programme. Over the next two years, the project is expected to transform two underutilised municipal buildings into Innovation Hubs for Sustainable and Inclusive Tourism. The initiative creates new opportunities for local residents to build resilient communities, achieve development in harmony with their natural environment, and attract conscious visitors from around the world.
Demati, one of the most picturesque villages of Zagori with only four permanent residents, and Dardhë, a historic Albanian village near Korça, are both renowned for their natural landscapes and traditional architecture. At the same time, they share a common history of migration and depopulation.
Within the framework of the programme, the former school building in Demati and a historic, currently unused municipal building in Dardhë will be restored, respecting local architectural heritage and traditional construction techniques. By 2027, they will operate as modern, cross-border collaborative spaces where local communities, tourism professionals and visitors will come together to develop skills, exchange knowledge and co-create the future of sustainable tourism. The use of contemporary tools and business practices will be carefully balanced with respect for local traditions and the natural environment.
In the long term, the sustainable operation of the two hubs will promote diverse and inclusive forms of tourism: cultural tourism, agritourism, hiking and nature-based tourism, while strengthening the participation of young people, women, families, creative professionals and small-scale producers as both beneficiaries and co-creators.
According to project representatives, the programme foresees the training of more than 100 local professionals, the development of over 30 new tourism products and services, and the annual attraction of more than 2,500 visitors. Through these actions, the project will promote the sustainable development of tourism services, the diversification of tourism offerings and the enhancement of the overall visitor experience, effectively connecting local communities with the growing dynamics of sustainable tourism.
It is worth noting that the project is implemented with the participation of five partners:
- Municipality of Zagori: Project coordinator, leading the restoration of the former school building in Demati.
- Municipality of Korça: Responsible for the restoration of the building in Dardhë and for activating the local community.
- Impact Hub Athens: Designs the communication strategy, training and entrepreneurial empowerment activities, and facilitates connections with national and European networks.
- P2P Lab: Focuses on integrating accessibility practices and developing specialised educational content for socially just tourism.
- Observatory for Children and Youth Rights: Supports inclusive, family-friendly services and participates in workshops and training activities for local ecosystems.
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About Interreg-RISTOR
Interreg-RISTOR is a cross-border project co-funded by the European Union and the national funds of Greece and Albania under the Interreg (VI-A) IPA Cross-Border Cooperation Programme “Greece–Albania 2021–2027”.
The project brings together five partners from Greece and Albania—the Municipality of Zagori, the Municipality of Korça, the Observatory for Children and Youth Rights, P2P Lab and Impact Hub Athens—with the aim of developing sustainable and inclusive tourism in the regions of Eastern Zagori (Greece) and Korça (Albania).
Through the renovation of two abandoned municipal buildings in Demati and Dardhë, the project establishes Innovation Hubs that will function as cross-border collaboration spaces for local communities, tourism professionals and visitors. RISTOR promotes social innovation, entrepreneurship, community connectivity and sustainable development, contributing to the positioning of the two regions as year-round destinations, with respect for culture, nature and accessibility.