Municipality of Hévíz

Hévíz is a spa town with 4600 inhabitants in Zala County, Western Hungary internationally renowned for its unique medicinal thermal lake and its healing power. Lake Hévíz is the world’s largest biologically-active natural thermal lake, which is considered a national treasure by the Hungarian National Committee of Cultural Heritage Preservation Office. The world famous spa and the related hospital are operated by the Municipality. Hévíz has a pioneer role in the Hungarian tourism development as the town is the second most popular tourist destination after the capital.
The coronavirus lockdown caused significant revenue loss for the city and prompted quick responses from the Municipality to attract domestic tourists as it has earlier hosted mainly foreign tourists (60% of all visitors).
The spa attracts mainly the elderly generation, therefore, the town is less able to provide entertainment, learning opportunities and community experiences for the youth. Thus, the "migration" of young people is significant. It is in the interest of the city that young people as employees, employers and leaders of the future feel themselves addressed in the city's affairs, get the opportunity to influence decision-making on issues affecting them, in order to find complex solutions to the challenges together. It is the reason why the town is actively engaged in projects to initiate dialogue with the local youth to make the town more attractive for them. The Municipality is actively engaged in EU projects in which they try to involve the local young people as much as possible and to create a link between decision-makers and youth as well as to provide opportunity for young people to travel abroad, gather knowledge on EU opportunities. Sustainable development is another top priority for the town, with a special regard on the protection of its natural heritage.

OUR MAIN PROJECT REFERENCES
Since Hungary has joined the European Union, Hévíz has participated in many EU-financed projects. Most of them have targeted city rehabilitation, sustainable mobility, cultural heritage, active tourism, healthy lifestyle, promoting sport, creating attractive urban environment and attractions for locals and visitors and boosting active citizenship through a strong cooperation with local youth.
Since sport has a significant role in the life of Hévíz the Municipality would like to build on its previous project experiences. Hévíz has recently participated or is currently participating in the following projects:
- Bicycle Oasis (BicOa), INTERREG HU-HR CBC (2013-2014): The aim was to set up small-scale high-tech bike sharing systems, to digitalise the existing cycling routes in the area and to motivate tourists to use the advantages of this new service. The bike sharing system was developed based on the points of interest (tourism attractions) that exist in the partner towns of Koprivnica and Hévíz.
- Debate on the Future of Europe and the Four Freedoms (EU3doms), Europe for Citizens Programme (2016-2017): The project promoted active EU citizenship especially among young people through discussing the main challenges of the four European freedoms. Hévíz coordinated this project as Lead Beneficiary.
- Transnational workshops for youth involvement in decision-making on urban regeneration (Transforming your City), Erasmus+ KA3 (2016-2017): The main objective of the project was to encourage young people to engage in the process of reflection and decision-making on the regeneration of degraded urban areas. Hévíz participated as partner in the project.
- Sport Cannot Stop at Borders (SportOverBorders), INTERREG HU-HR CBC (2017-2018): The project aimed at connecting people living in the two sides of country borders (either in Hungary or Croatia), familiarizing sport and the love of sports with many people in different age groups in both countries and promoting active lifestyle. As Lead Beneficiary, Hévíz coordinated the whole project. Besides, the partnership consists of the City of Koprivnica, the Municipality of Cazma, the Municipality of Zalaegerszeg and the Sport Association of Hévíz.
- Energy efficient refurbishment in cultural heritage buildings (RefurbCulture), INTERREG HU-HR CBC (2017-2018): The main objectives of the project were to increase energy efficiency of cultural heritage buildings in the cross border area, to strengthen touristic and cultural cooperation in the cross border area and the preservation of cultural heritage. The partnership was led by the City of Koprivnica, Hévíz participated as partner.
- Activating and involving the YOUTH in shaping the future of rural spa towns, (Youth&SPA), Erasmus+ KA3 project (2018-2019): The project aimed to unite young people, in order to think together with decision-makers about common issues affecting spa towns involved in the project. Through the exchange of experience and good practices with other cities, innovative solutions have been developed in order to assist young people to stay and settle down in smaller rural towns, providing interesting entertainment and recreation opportunities for them. In the long term, goals are community formation, creation of Youth Council and youth groups/organizations on different fields, development of communication and presentation skills of young people, conscious career planning and networking.
- Sharing music and connecting people in the cross-border area (ShareMusic), INTERREG HU-HR (2014-2020): The goal of the project is connecting people (mainly young people, age 10-25) in the cross-border area through various creative activities, increasing music culture of the youth, encouraging active participation in music and mutual understanding and respect of different music cultures. The project activities will be conducted in the area of Koprivnica-Križevci County and Zala County.
- Cross border development of centers of excellence in primary schools (KnowledgeWell), INTERREG HU-HR (2014-2020): The goal of the project is to establish five adequately equipped and competent centers of excellence in the partner cross-border area of Hungary-Croatia, which will create conditions for the implementation of quality educational programs in primary schools in Koprivnica. Project activities will be implemented in the area of Koprivnica-Križevci County and in the area of Zala and Baranya County.
- Robots connecting people in the cross-border area (RobotsConnecting), INTERREG HU-HR (2014-2020): The project will introduce students to the world of robotics and IT. Project participants can develop their creativity and technical skills through study classes, cross-border camps and competitions.