As part of the EU Horizon 2020 project “STECCI – STone monument Ensembles and the Climate Change Impact”, the University of Donja Gorica successfully organized the expert workshop “Heritage Route Development” on February 28, 2025. The event gathered relevant stakeholders, researchers, practitioners, representatives of the local community, public sector institutions, and civil society organizations.

The workshop aimed to develop sustainable strategies for integrating stećci—medieval tombstones unique to our region—into European cultural routes. Special attention was given to enhancing the recognition, interpretation, and integration of stećci into tourism offerings, with the goal of positioning them as a key element of sustainable tourism and regional development.

This workshop is part of Work Package WP5: Community-Based Impact Strategies for a Sustainable Stećci Ecosystem. Through a multidisciplinary approach, it facilitated knowledge and experience exchange while strengthening capacities for cultural heritage management. Key discussions included mapping stećci, proposing cultural routes, addressing challenges these monuments face, and emphasizing the importance of education and awareness-raising regarding their cultural significance.

This workshop represents a significant step toward the further development and preservation of stećci as cultural heritage, which holds immense potential for contributing to sustainable tourism in Montenegro and the region.