Between September and November 2025, the Living Lab Dobrudzha/Dobrogea held a series of workshops aimed at shaping the future of cultural and creative tourism in this unique cross‑border region. The activities were organised within the CROCUS – Cross‑border Cultural and Creative Tourism in Rural and Remote Areas project and brought together experts, entrepreneurs, cultural organisations, and community members from Bulgaria and Romania.

The process began on 10 September 2025 with a Definition Workshop, where Core Development Team members of the Living Lab from both countries explored opportunities and challenges for growing cultural and creative tourism in Dobrudzha. After presenting findings from the primary research with local residents, businesses, and visitors, which happened earlierin the year, the Core team members discussed the insights, identified key themes and directions for future work.

On 25 October 2025, an Ideation Workshop took place at the Green Center in Shabla. Through creative exercises, participants envisioned Dobrudzha in 2050 and generated innovative ideas for new tourism experiences and business ventures. The most promising concepts will now move into a prototyping phase.

The final workshop in this cycle was held on 21 November 2025 in Constanța, gathering representatives from cultural associations, accommodation providers, and tourism companies. Participants developed their ideas further—from imaginative “postcards from the future” to concrete business concepts. 

The next step will be the Refinement Workshops in early 2026, where sustainable business models for cultural and creative tourism in Dobrudzha will be finalised.