Following the Regional Action Plan approval by the Joint Secretariat of Interreg Europe in April 2021, the Regional Agency South West Oltenia (Romania)  has intensified the activities towards supporting the stakeholders in the elaboration of new projects, in line with the strategic documents for further improvement of cultural heritage tourism capitalization in the SWO region. In the second phase of the project, which will last until its completion in November 2022, is the time to implement the Action Plans prepared by each region.

Fostering the development of cultural heritage and tourism is one of the priorities of the South-West Oltenia Regional Development Strategy 2021-2027, the policy instrument addressed within FINCH project. One of the funding sources for RDP priorities is the Regional Operational Programme 2021-2027. In this context, the first action of SW Oltenia RAP - Support the cultural heritage valorization, through the proposed activities, become an accurate tool for the stakeholders and brought real benefits for the planning process.

Specific guidance was granted to territorial administrative units with touristic potential in rural area in order to design future projects for the Regional Operational Programme 2021-2027 and a solid project portfolio was drafted. RDA realized a specific consultation in order to determine the needs of the touristic resorts and to link it with financing interventions. Actions related to the development and enhancement of tourist resorts in rural areas through the development of specific tourist infrastructures were integrated in the future ROP.

Also, RDA SW Oltenia, in partnership with territorial administrative units in the region, is implementing a project to support the elaboration of the technical documentation for future projects in the field of tourism and cultural heritage:

- Restaration of Curtişoara Museum – Gorj County Council

- Imporvement of Calea Eroilor, around Brancusi Complex – Targu Jiu City Hall

- Pages of History – Mehedinti County Councils

- Rehabilitation of The Popular School of Arts and Crafts Cornetti - Dolj County Council

The Regional Development Plan was updated with information regarding cultural heritage buildings and the potential for development and for sustainable growth in South West Oltenia region in order to justify the needs and the opportunities to generate added value in this sector.