On 13 February 2026, a workshop entitled Innovative Business Models for the Barborská cesta took place at the Faculty of Economics, Matej Bel University in Banská Bystrica. The workshop focused on identifying innovative approaches to the development of the Barbora Route based on local heritage, collaboration, and long-term sustainability.
The workshop was led by Professor Esben Rahbek Gjerdrum Pedersen from Copenhagen Business School, an internationally recognised expert in innovative business models, corporate social responsibility, and innovation. The event was attended by 30 stakeholders, including representatives of local authorities, entrepreneurs, cultural and non-profit organisations, as well as other actors interested in the sustainable development of the territory along the Barbora Route.
During the four-hour interactive programme, participants worked with practical business model tools and frameworks, discussed ways of leveraging cultural heritage as a development resource, and jointly identified opportunities for collaboration, innovation, and community-led development. Emphasis was placed on linking academic insights with practical experience and on seeking realistic, locally embedded solutions.
The workshop confirmed that the Barbora Route has significant potential to become not only a tourism route, but also a platform for local entrepreneurship, cooperation, and value creation rooted in the cultural heritage of Central Slovakia.
The event was organised within the framework of the projects Banícke poklady and SECreTour, funded by the EU NextGenerationEU through the Recovery and Resilience Plan of the Slovak Republic under the project Banícke poklady No. 09I01-03-V04-00051/2024/VA, and by the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme under the project SECreTour, Grant Agreement No. 101132584.
