Regaining a sense of belonging
Health and happiness to everyone
The phased construction of a new type of therapeutic and restorative water park, also accessible t
Health and joy for all, through adapted pools, water slides, innovative tourist attractions, and facilities designed for treatment, social inclusion, active recreation, tourism, and sports. A 770 sq.m. for residents and guests of the city, the country, and abroad will be built on the territory of the town of Vratsa. This will help restore the sense of belonging among the most vulnerable groups in society.
Bulgaria
National
Mainly urban
It refers to a physical transformation of the built environment (hard investment)
Early concept
No
No
As a representative of an organisation, in partnership with other organisations
Creation of a new medical and rehabilitation aquapark type with adapted swimming pools, water slides, innovative tourist attractions, and facilities for people with disabilities.
Target groups: Social groups of all cultures, genders, and ages.
Specific objectives:
Increasing investment activity and competitiveness of the local economy;
Sustainable use of regional resources
Preservation and development of human capital:
Social Europe within the framework of the JSF;
Investing in improving health, social, cultural and sports infrastructure;
Improving access to public services (health, social, sports, tourism), including for people with disabilities,
Europe closer to citizens;
Territorial cohesion - between cities and municipalities from the EU and beyond.
Economic cohesion - through support for the development and improvement of the qualities of regional potentials and environmental protection
Social cohesion - through the creation of equal conditions for the development and realization of human capital.
Target groups: Social groups of all cultures, genders, and ages.
Specific objectives:
Increasing investment activity and competitiveness of the local economy;
Sustainable use of regional resources
Preservation and development of human capital:
Social Europe within the framework of the JSF;
Investing in improving health, social, cultural and sports infrastructure;
Improving access to public services (health, social, sports, tourism), including for people with disabilities,
Europe closer to citizens;
Territorial cohesion - between cities and municipalities from the EU and beyond.
Economic cohesion - through support for the development and improvement of the qualities of regional potentials and environmental protection
Social cohesion - through the creation of equal conditions for the development and realization of human capital.
Human Capital
Innovation
Inclusion
Sustainability
Health
Eco-design;
Reducing the impact of human activities on the environment;
Closed water cycle;
Implementing nature-based solutions;
Preventing biodiversity loss;
Promoting economic activities that stimulate conservation, restoration, and life-cycle thinking;
Greening the park site with vegetation that captures PM and zero pollution;
Social and financial sustainability.
The objectives will be achieved through an appropriate EU project or program and will enable the implemented concept to be an example for the EU and beyond.
Reducing the impact of human activities on the environment;
Closed water cycle;
Implementing nature-based solutions;
Preventing biodiversity loss;
Promoting economic activities that stimulate conservation, restoration, and life-cycle thinking;
Greening the park site with vegetation that captures PM and zero pollution;
Social and financial sustainability.
The objectives will be achieved through an appropriate EU project or program and will enable the implemented concept to be an example for the EU and beyond.
Creating a beautiful, aesthetic design in the innovative water park;
Ensuring quality of experience and style in addition to functionality;
Inclusion of all social and age groups;
Ensuring equality for all, physical and financial accessibility;
Using natural remedies for healing - air, sun, water, and wind, combined with innovative tourist attractions - for optimal results
Strengthening the connection between generations through positive and enriching experiences - a source of health and joy for everyone.
Ensuring quality of experience and style in addition to functionality;
Inclusion of all social and age groups;
Ensuring equality for all, physical and financial accessibility;
Using natural remedies for healing - air, sun, water, and wind, combined with innovative tourist attractions - for optimal results
Strengthening the connection between generations through positive and enriching experiences - a source of health and joy for everyone.
Ensuring physical and financial accessibility for all;
Celebrating and respecting diversity;
Promoting and deepening intergenerational solidarity;
Overcoming spatial segregation and isolation;
Supporting vulnerable members of the community;
Increasing opportunities for social interaction between all.
Improving our common and meeting spaces.
The physical transformation of a built-up area.
Connecting a renovated, regenerated and restored architectural environment with the local historical heritage and traditions.
Illustrating how the renewal of a built-up area can contribute to regaining a sense of belonging or shaping future-oriented ambitions of communities at local and regional level.
The repurposing of spaces so that they become environments for positive intergenerational exchange and community building.
Celebrating and respecting diversity;
Promoting and deepening intergenerational solidarity;
Overcoming spatial segregation and isolation;
Supporting vulnerable members of the community;
Increasing opportunities for social interaction between all.
Improving our common and meeting spaces.
The physical transformation of a built-up area.
Connecting a renovated, regenerated and restored architectural environment with the local historical heritage and traditions.
Illustrating how the renewal of a built-up area can contribute to regaining a sense of belonging or shaping future-oriented ambitions of communities at local and regional level.
The repurposing of spaces so that they become environments for positive intergenerational exchange and community building.
The new type of medical and rehabilitation aquapark will attract many residents of the city of Vratsa and guests from the region, the country, and abroad. Its aesthetic and inclusive appearance will meet the needs and requirements of people who are looking for an opportunity to enjoy quality and emotional experiences together with their children, brothers, sisters, friends, and relatives in disadvantaged situations. The ensured architectural and financial accessibility will give a powerful boost to the initiative and will turn it into a strategic center of attraction at the local, regional, national, and European levels.
The implementation of the concept is awaited by everyone, which is why the attention of all institutions and citizens is engaged in:
1. Participation process - participation of the communities affected by the concept in the stage of joint development, decision-making, and implementation. Empowerment of local communities.
2. Multi-level engagement - effective exchange horizontally - with colleagues and vertically - with other specialists working at different scales of the Regional and Municipal Administration, and the Regional Information Center in the city. Vratsa; Connecting stakeholders from different levels who have similar goals.
3. Transdisciplinary approach – engaging specialists in practice and from different fields of knowledge.
The implementation of the concept is awaited by everyone, which is why the attention of all institutions and citizens is engaged in:
1. Participation process - participation of the communities affected by the concept in the stage of joint development, decision-making, and implementation. Empowerment of local communities.
2. Multi-level engagement - effective exchange horizontally - with colleagues and vertically - with other specialists working at different scales of the Regional and Municipal Administration, and the Regional Information Center in the city. Vratsa; Connecting stakeholders from different levels who have similar goals.
3. Transdisciplinary approach – engaging specialists in practice and from different fields of knowledge.
The presentation of the idea for a new type of medical and rehabilitation water park attracted the attention and received the approval of the Mayor of Vratsa, the Municipal and Regional Administration, and the Regional Information Center in Vratsa.
The concept was included in the Integrated Development Plan of Vratsa Municipality. It received strong political support at the local level from the GERB party and the BSP - United Left. In the summer of 2024, the Vratsa Municipality organized a mini water festival for the children and guests of the city. A few months later, the initiative won second place in the "Innovations in Social Policy" competition organized by the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy (MLSP). The award was presented by Deputy Minister Lazar Lazarov.
The concept was included in the Integrated Development Plan of Vratsa Municipality. It received strong political support at the local level from the GERB party and the BSP - United Left. In the summer of 2024, the Vratsa Municipality organized a mini water festival for the children and guests of the city. A few months later, the initiative won second place in the "Innovations in Social Policy" competition organized by the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy (MLSP). The award was presented by Deputy Minister Lazar Lazarov.
The presentation of the idea of a new type of medical and restorative water park will improve
access to public services (health, social, cultural, tourist), including for people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups of society. All these sectors of public life are closely interconnected. They can be implemented together in one place, and the added value of this process is expected to be from:
1. Tickets and entrance fees;
2. Entrance cards - weekly, ten-day and monthly;
3. Promotional prices and package services for weekdays and weekends;
4. Special discounts for more visits and regular customers;
5. Organization of adventure parties for birthdays and newlyweds.
access to public services (health, social, cultural, tourist), including for people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups of society. All these sectors of public life are closely interconnected. They can be implemented together in one place, and the added value of this process is expected to be from:
1. Tickets and entrance fees;
2. Entrance cards - weekly, ten-day and monthly;
3. Promotional prices and package services for weekdays and weekends;
4. Special discounts for more visits and regular customers;
5. Organization of adventure parties for birthdays and newlyweds.
The innovative nature of the conceived water park lies in its:
Sustainability - landscaping of the park area with vegetation, closed water cycle;
Aesthetics - quality of experience and style in addition to functionality;
Inclusion - ensuring equality for all social and age groups, and physical and financial accessibility.
Existing water parks around the world do not provide accessibility to their facilities for people with mobility difficulties, which places insurmountable barriers before them, their families, friends, and loved ones. They do not combine joy with health achieved outdoors through
Accessible health, social, cultural, and tourist services.
Sustainability - landscaping of the park area with vegetation, closed water cycle;
Aesthetics - quality of experience and style in addition to functionality;
Inclusion - ensuring equality for all social and age groups, and physical and financial accessibility.
Existing water parks around the world do not provide accessibility to their facilities for people with mobility difficulties, which places insurmountable barriers before them, their families, friends, and loved ones. They do not combine joy with health achieved outdoors through
Accessible health, social, cultural, and tourist services.
Use of a non-functioning building and the space around it;
Physical transformation of built-up area;
Renovation of park areas;
Creation of a beautiful aesthetic design;
Ensuring physical accessibility;
Providing a beautiful place for intergenerational meetings among all social groups;
Restoring the sense of belonging for people with disabilities and other risk groups.
Physical transformation of built-up area;
Renovation of park areas;
Creation of a beautiful aesthetic design;
Ensuring physical accessibility;
Providing a beautiful place for intergenerational meetings among all social groups;
Restoring the sense of belonging for people with disabilities and other risk groups.
The whole concept can be applied anywhere else in the EU and beyond. Beneficiaries with motor deficits and vulnerable groups are everywhere. Everyone needs the opportunity to be included in public services: health, social, cultural, and tourist, by regaining a sense of belonging.
The whole concept can be applied to any other Creating conditions for better living together in more beautiful, sustainable and inclusive spaces.
Connecting global challenges with local solutions in order to achieve climate goals and support a larger transformation.
Combating the isolation of people with disabilities and vulnerable groups at risk of social exclusion.
Lack of accessible and adapted water parks adapted for people with different degrees and types of disabilities.
Lack of a water park that combines health with joy achieved through tourist attractions accessible to everyone.
Inability to use natural resources: air, sun, water and wind in the treatment of people who need them most.
The presence of inaccessible water pools, slides and tourist attractions.
Discriminatory and architectural barriers for people with disabilities.
Difficulties in participating in games and entertainment with the whole family and friends for people with disabilities.
Division between healthy and disabled family members and society due to the lack of appropriate facilities to ensure physical and financial accessibility to pools and facilities, and for people with disabilities.
Lack of relaxing water therapy outdoors under the sun.
Connecting global challenges with local solutions in order to achieve climate goals and support a larger transformation.
Combating the isolation of people with disabilities and vulnerable groups at risk of social exclusion.
Lack of accessible and adapted water parks adapted for people with different degrees and types of disabilities.
Lack of a water park that combines health with joy achieved through tourist attractions accessible to everyone.
Inability to use natural resources: air, sun, water and wind in the treatment of people who need them most.
The presence of inaccessible water pools, slides and tourist attractions.
Discriminatory and architectural barriers for people with disabilities.
Difficulties in participating in games and entertainment with the whole family and friends for people with disabilities.
Division between healthy and disabled family members and society due to the lack of appropriate facilities to ensure physical and financial accessibility to pools and facilities, and for people with disabilities.
Lack of relaxing water therapy outdoors under the sun.
Search for a suitable project or program from the European funds that will provide funds for:
Preliminary and actual eco-design, construction, and demolition - will be carried out following the principles of the NEB, including:
Sustainability - landscaping the park area with vegetation that captures PM and zero pollution;
Aesthetics - quality of experience and style in addition to functionality;
Inclusion - ensuring equality for all social and age groups, regardless of their physical and financial accessibility.
Preliminary and actual eco-design, construction, and demolition - will be carried out following the principles of the NEB, including:
Sustainability - landscaping the park area with vegetation that captures PM and zero pollution;
Aesthetics - quality of experience and style in addition to functionality;
Inclusion - ensuring equality for all social and age groups, regardless of their physical and financial accessibility.
