Programme: Interreg Italia – Malta
Website: https://italiamalta.eu/en/cross-heritage
Capo Peloro in Messina and the inland areas of Comino in Malta are territories of high natural, cultural and historical value, located in Natura 2000 settings and close to heavily visited destinations. Despite this proximity, they remain largely outside established visitor routes: pressure is concentrated in a few fragile hotspots, while nearby heritage assets remain under-experienced and insufficiently valued.
Cross-Heritage addresses this challenge by turning under-experienced heritage sites into connected, inclusive and learning-oriented destinations. It activates two hubs: Horcynus Orca Park in Capo Peloro and Il-Forn ta’ Kemmuna in Comino. Together, they form a Cross-Border Heritage Cluster, with shared initiatives and an integrated offer of experiences rooted in natural, cultural and food heritage.
The project develops trails and on-site interpretation tools, digital content and immersive environments, as well as a joint strategy for regenerative tourism experiences. The aim is to guide visitors towards less-visited areas, encourage responsible visits and support biodiversity and ecological balance. Activities respect existing protection regimes and involve local communities.
Cross-Heritage will also develop a cross-border non-profit governance and management model to sustain the hubs over time and make the approach transferable to other territories with significant heritage and Natura 2000 areas.
Objective
To activate two interconnected heritage hubs and a Cross-Border Heritage Cluster, developing regenerative tourism experiences and a non-profit management model that support the sustainable enhancement of Capo Peloro and Comino.
Main Activities
- Activation of Horcynus Orca Park in Capo Peloro and Il-Forn ta’ Kemmuna in Comino as heritage hubs and learning spaces.
- Development of the Cross-Border Heritage Cluster, with shared programming and community initiatives.
- Creation of trails, interpretation materials, digital access points and immersive environments.
- Development and testing of a joint regenerative tourism strategy and three pilot itineraries.
- Design of a non-profit governance, sustainability and replication model.
Expected Results
- Two interconnected heritage hubs and an active Cross-Border Heritage Cluster.
- One joint pilot action for immersive heritage interpretation.
- Three regenerative tourism pilot itineraries developed and tested.
- A shared non-profit governance and replication model taken up by the partners; at least four organisations will continue cross-border cooperation after the project ends.
Outputs
- Two interconnected heritage hubs — Horcynus Orca Park in Capo Peloro and Il-Forn ta’ Kemmuna in Comino — and an active Cross-Border Heritage Cluster with joint initiatives, a shared calendar and learning activities.
- One joint pilot action for immersive heritage interpretation environments and tools.
- Three regenerative tourism pilot itineraries developed and tested across the two territories.
- A cross-border non-profit management, governance and replication model, supported by a roadmap and capacity-building actions.
Expected Impact
The project aims to enhance high-value areas that currently receive fewer visitors, offering alternative experiences and helping redistribute visitor flows away from major tourism hotspots. Trails, interpretation tools and immersive experiences are designed to improve understanding of natural, cultural and food heritage and encourage responsible behaviour in sensitive settings.
Over the medium to long term, the non-profit model and replication actions are expected to support the lasting management of heritage assets, create social, environmental and economic benefits for local communities, and help at least four partners continue cooperating beyond the project duration. The application also sets a target for one jointly developed solution to be taken up or transferred by at least one organisation outside the partnership.
Added value of cooperation
Cooperation between Sicily and Malta makes it possible to address a shared challenge: tourism pressure concentrated in a few hotspots and the limited enhancement of nearby areas with high natural and cultural value. Capo Peloro and Comino share the Natura 2000 protection framework and have complementary ecological, cultural and food heritage. Joint action supports solutions that are consistent with conservation requirements and creates an integrated tourism offer across the two sites.
The partnership combines Sicilian expertise in cultural regeneration, hub management and immersive tools with Maltese experience in conservation, ecological monitoring and Natura 2000 site management. Cooperation also brings shared historical links between Sicily and Malta into focus, including food, maritime and fishing traditions, and enables partners to jointly develop and test solutions that can be transferred to other protected areas.
Target Groups
Local and regional public authorities; environmental agencies; managers of heritage, cultural and nature sites, infrastructure and services; associations, NGOs and civil society organisations; schools, training centres, universities and research organisations; small businesses, producers, fishers, hospitality and visitor-service operators; local communities and visitors in the project areas.
Partnership
Project partners
- MeSSInA Foundation (Lead Partner)
- Horcynus Orca Foundation
- Malta Regional Development and Dialogue Foundation
- Friends of the Earth Malta
Associated partners
- Slow Food Messina APS
- Agència de Residus de Catalunya
- Università di Messina
- Pro Loco Capo Peloro APS
- Majjistral Nature and History Park
- BirdLife Malta
- Din l-Art Ħelwa (DLH)
Key Numbers
Project duration in months: 24
Project Partners: 4
Countries: 2
Pilot Areas: 2
Associated Organizations: 7
