The opening conference of the project “Partnership of Health Resorts as the Basis for the Development of the Borderland” took place on 25 September 2025 in the Mineral and Healing Water Pump Room in Gołdap.
The project of strategic importance brings together four municipalities – Gołdap and Augustów from Poland, and Druskininkai and Birštonas from Lithuania – with the shared goal of fostering the sustainable development of health resorts in the border region. Partners aim to create and develop competitive health tourism products and to improve public tourism infrastructure.
The project’s total budget amounts to EUR 7,142,964.81, including EUR 5,930,389.80 from the European Regional Development Fund.
Strengthening cooperation for health and wellbeing
The conference opened with a presentation of the project and welcoming speeches. In his address, the Mayor of Gołdap Konrad Kazaniecki expressed optimism about future cooperation, saying:
“I hope this project will pave the way for our future initiatives.”
Representatives highlighted the importance of creative and warm collaboration across borders, emphasizing that shared experience and innovation are key to building a competitive and sustainable health tourism sector. During the event, partners also signed an agreement establishing a joint monitoring committee within the project – a symbolic step toward stronger partnership and joint management.
Health resorts as engines of sustainable development
Throughout the day, conference participants discussed the role of health resorts as engines of regional development and centers of natural medicine and rehabilitation. Speakers underlined that, with growing urbanization, people increasingly seek relaxation and recreation in natural surroundings.
Experts agreed that promotion and visibility are crucial to attracting visitors:
“Without effective promotion, our destinations will continue to struggle to attract tourists.”
Participants also reflected on the importance of discovering and promoting each resort’s unique character, noting that “every health resort has its own specificity – we must find what makes each one truly unique.”
The conference concluded with a shared vision: to strengthen cooperation between Lithuanian and Polish partners for the wellbeing of local communities. As one speaker summarized, “A healthy person is a happy person.”