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BALKANIA ROUTE is a regional initiative promoting sustainable tourism, cross-border cooperation, and cultural exchange along the Balkan Green Belt, part of the European Green Belt. The project connects and enhances hiking trails across Serbia, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro, Turkey, and Romania, offering a 3,300 km journey through stunning landscapes, biodiversity, and shared heritage. Implemented by a coalition of civil society organizations, BALKANIA ROUTE strengthens local cooperation, supports eco-tourism, and encourages knowledge exchange. By transforming former divisions into opportunities for unity, the project positions the Balkan Green Belt as a symbol of sustainability, cultural richness, and regional development.

This project aims to reduce pressure on biodiversity and natural resources in the Balkan Green Belt (BGB) and European Green Belt (EGB) by promoting circular economy (CE) practices in the Stara Planina area. Through education, capacity building, and networking, it introduced a sustainable CE model for small tourist villages. Residents, tourism households, and service providers adopted mindful consumption and reuse of household and tourist-generated waste. Local authorities and public utilities received tools and training to continue CE efforts. The project also fostered strong cooperation and created an active network of circular communities along the Green Belt corridor.