The fourth C4F-ELEVATE professional event in Oszkó connected craft heritage with rural, slow and accessible tourism, digital visibility and new opportunities for cross-border cooperation.

On 16 July 2026, the C4F-ELEVATE partnership organised its fourth professional event, “Craftsmanship as a Driver of Sustainable Tourism”, at Hegypásztor Pincék in Oszkó, Hungary. The event explored practical ways of integrating craft products, traditional knowledge and local stories into sustainable tourism in Pomurje and the Hungarian counties of Vas and Zala.

Following the welcome address by István Kovács, Tibor Polgár presented the relationship between landscape and people through the example of cycling tourism. Participants were then introduced to several regional initiatives, including the RE-ACTION rural tourism project, the Kul-Well project linking culture and well-being, the CE-Spaces4All initiative for accessible tourism, heritage developments in Vasvár and Bérbaltavár, and examples of church tourism.

The second part focused on connecting local products, communities and visitor experiences. The “We Are Local” initiative, “Open Door Days”, the HOUSES to go project and slow tourism in Mesés Hetés demonstrated how local heritage can become part of an attractive and responsible tourism offer.

Dr Nikoletta Kaszás and Krisztián Attila Bakon from the University of Pannonia also presented the digital platform being developed within C4F-ELEVATE. They explained how greater online visibility can create new opportunities for craftspeople and help visitors discover cross-border craft products, workshops and experiences.

The presentations and guided discussion highlighted the importance of cooperation between craftspeople, tourism providers, museums, development organisations and local communities. Participants exchanged experiences and identified opportunities for future cross-border cooperation. The event concluded with networking over a meal featuring local products.

The knowledge and good practices shared in Oszkó will contribute to the project’s cross-border strategy, educational activities and digital platform. By connecting heritage, innovation and sustainable tourism, C4F-ELEVATE supports the visibility of craftspeople and the development of authentic visitor experiences in the Slovenian-Hungarian border area.

Photos by C4F-ELEVATE