About the project

Croatia and Hungary have a long tradition of horse-breeding and equestrian sports. Horse-breeding and riding were developed during the time of Austrian-Hungarian empire and this tradition prevailed until the present days. The number of people in the EU countries interested in dealing and working with horses is increasing and in developed EU countries such as Germany and Austria it is supported by adequate education and training institutions offering students and adult learners the possibility to get trained and qualified.

The problem that this project addresses is the insufficient offer of education and training capacities in the border region which prevents students from obtaining adequate knowledge and skills in the equine field. For this reason, the project aims at increasing the number of tailor made courses and LLL programmes and develop joint bachelor courses and LLL training programmes in the field of equine management and equestrian sports.

This will result in better education opportunities for people interested inequine management and equestrian sports, and consequently in quality development of equestrian tourism in the cross-border area, which is currently existent, but poorly managed, since the tourism facilities lack trained work force, marketing, educational support etc. This issue was already addressed in the previous project EquiEdu 1 with courses well received by students and exchange network within the Erasmus programme established between LB and B1.

The main project outputs will be:

• 4 new bachelor courses in the field of equestrian sports and tourism,
• 4 LLL programmes delivered,
• LB and B1 premises refurbished and equipped for administration of LLL programmes and bachelor courses.

Rural tourism service providers are in great need of training, since horses and horseriding are an integral part of rural tourism offer, as also defined by the Guidelines to tourism projects published within the framework of this call. In order to bridge this gap and positively contribute to employment and self-employment in the field of equine industry.

The project will be implemented in Koprivnica-Križevci and Somogy county for duration of 24 months.

The project directly contributes to Priority 4 through joint development of vocational training schemes and strengthens the capacity of both LB and B as intellectual centre for increasing the equestrian-related knowledge-base in the region.

Development of equestrian routes is also on the agenda of both Croatian and Hungarian Tourism Development Plans, and it is listed as a priority in this programme. Although this project refers to Priority 4 – specific objective 2, its results are inseparately linked and are essential for achievement of priorities defined under Priority 4 – specific objective 1 – since the creation of preconditions for development of equestrian tourism will positively affect the significance of sustainable tourism economic development of the order region.