On 8 April 2025, the 12th General Assembly of the Barbora Route – Terra Montanae Civic Association took place in Banská Bystrica. The association has been actively developing the longest educational and pilgrimage trail in Slovakia for over a decade. The meeting was held at the Robotnícky dom (Workers’ House), a symbolic venue of cooperation, where members discussed not only the association’s past activities but also its future visions and plans.
The Barbora Route as a Partner in UMB’s Pilot Project within the International SECreTour Initiative
In 2023, the Barbora Route Civic Association and Matej Bel University (UMB) signed a Memorandum of Understanding, confirming their shared commitment to the development of the Barbora Route project and the support of initiatives implemented within UMB’s international projects. This partnership gave rise to a pilot project within the Horizon Europe SECreTour initiative, aimed at strengthening cultural and creative tourism in central Slovakia (along the Barbora Route) and contributing to the sustainable development of rural areas through innovation, collaboration and cultural heritage.
A Route with History – and a Future
The Barbora Route stretches for 193 km, connecting historic mining towns such as Banská Bystrica, Kremnica and Banská Štiavnica, while also passing through many smaller villages rich in mining heritage. The route is currently managed by the civic association, which, during the assembly, presented an activity report for the past period, an overview of membership, and information about planned activities.
An Innovative Business Model and a Hackathon for Young Talents
As part of the SECreTour pilot project, UMB is preparing the development of an innovative business model to improve infrastructure, services and the economic sustainability of the Barbora Route. The aim is to make lesser-known segments of the trail more attractive and to support sustainable tourism and regional development in peripheral and rural parts of central Slovakia.
In parallel, UMB plans to organise a hackathon targeting young people under the age of 30, encouraging them to create new products, services, applications or games related to the cultural heritage and identity of the mining region. The best ideas will have the opportunity to receive further support through the regional innovation scheme of the Banská Bystrica self-governing region.
A Meaningful Collaboration
The discussions held during the assembly clearly demonstrated the strong potential of cooperation between civil society, academia, public institutions and businesses in the context of the Barbora Route. The SECreTour project provides a framework in which this partnership can bring concrete and lasting benefits to the region – from enhancing tourism offerings and creating jobs to safeguarding cultural heritage.
More information about the Barbora Route: Barborská cesta
More about the SECreTour project and UMB’s pilot case: SECreTour
