Project REJOICE

The partners of the REJOICE project (RivEr JOurney experIenCE) decided to change the unused potential of the Hornád river in terms of ecotourism. The main goal of the project is to connect the territory along the Hornád River and use the potential of the river as a water tourist route by creating a kayak-canoeing sharing system. As part of the project, access infrastructure will be built along the Hornád River (exit / entry ports), kayaks, canoes and containers for their storage will be purchased, and small infrastructure will also be built – recreation areas in partner villages. In addition, a bicycle rental system will be created as part of the project, which will complement the eco-tourism services offered in the region.

In order to implement the project, a 15-member partnership was created from the Slovak and Hungarian sides, which will be led by River & Mountain, a civil association, as the leading partner.

The leading partner, in addition to the overall coordination of the project, will be in charge of the procurement of 4 self-service kayak rental shops, including equipment with vessels, oars and necessary accessories, the procurement of a trailer for weighing kayaks and a charging station for e-bikes. It will also implement additional events such as “Winter paddling”, “Hornad Green Day”, “Educational program – Hornad Green Day” and a number of promotional activities.

The business partner of the project is Ľuboš Grajcár – John the B tour, who, as part of the implementation of the project, will provide a minivan with a trailer for transporting vessels and bicycles, 4 self-service kayak rental shops, including equipment with vessels, oars and necessary accessories, and 17 bicycles.

On the Slovak side of the river, the village of Veľká Lodina will renovate its park, which will also serve as a recreation area for tourists.

The village of Kysak will build a rest area with a charging station for e-bikes. At the same time, the municipality will organize a sports event called “Hornád Triathlon”.

The village of Družstevná pri Hornád will build an entry and exit point for kayakers with a rest area and a charging station for e-bikes, including a bicycle rental. At the same time, the municipality will organize an event called “First aid course on the water”, the aim of which is to train instructors in the field of providing first aid on the Hornád River.

The village of Kostoľany nad Hornádom will build an entry and exit point for kayakers with a rest area and a charging station for e-bikes, as well as one pump track.

The village of Ždaňa will build an entry and exit point for kayakers with a rest area and a charging station for e-bikes, including a bicycle rental.

The municipality of Trstené pri Hornád will build a boarding and exit point for kayakers with a rest area and an outdoor gym. At the same time, the municipality will organize an event called Hornád fest, the aim of which will be the presentation of the Hornád region and the implementation of environmental activities.

The municipality of Milhošť will build a rest area with a charging station for e-bikes.

Individual municipalities will also provide uniform historical tents that will be used during joint events.

On the Hungarian side of the river, the municipality of Hernádkércs will create a boat house where the users of the kayak-canoeing sharing system will be able to rest or spend the night. Accommodation capacities within the project will also be provided by Kmetty Benjámin, who will build wooden houses in the village of Nagykinizs directly on the banks of the Hornád river, and VÉDÉPSZOLG KFT will create rural ecological accommodation capacities in Felsődobsza within the project. In the village of Hidasnémeti, a part of the building owned by the village will be renovated, where an information office will be created, which will serve as the first point of contact for tourists entering the Hungarian side of the Hornád River. The municipality of Hernádszentandras will renovate an old building it owns, which will serve as an Eco-summer school and a lifestyle center for children and youth. The implementation of the project is expected to improve jointly provided cross-border services in the field of ecotourism and increase the number of tourists visiting the region.

The implementation of the project is supported by the European Regional Development Fund through the Cooperation Program Interreg V-A Slovak Republic-Hungary. The total project budget is EUR 1,552,787.43, of which the ERDF contribution is EUR 1,319,869.27. The completion of the project implementation is expected on 02/28/2023.