Inclusive Rehabilitation Routes: Post-Conflict Recovery Models for V4 and Ukraine

Inclusive Rehabilitation Routes: Post-Conflict Recovery Models for V4 and Ukraine

Project number: 22610423
Funding source: International Visegrad Fund
Project beneficiary: Pan-European University
Project type: Research project
Implementation period: 01/06/2026–30/11/2027

Supported by

This project is co-financed by the governments of Czechia, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia through Visegrad Grants from the International Visegrad Fund. The mission of the fund is to advance ideas for sustainable regional cooperation in Central Europe.

Project partners

Project beneficiary:
Pan-European University, a.s.
Website: www.peuni.cz

Project partners:
University of Prešov
Website: University | University of Presov

University of Physical Culture in Kraków
Website: AKF in Krakow

Lutsk National Technical University
Website: Home | LNTU | Lutsk National Technical University

Project summary

The project Inclusive Rehabilitation Routes: Post-Conflict Recovery Models for V4 and Ukraine focuses on the development of inclusive and sustainable tourism models connecting rehabilitation, social reintegration and regional development in the V4 countries and Ukraine.

The project will pilot four physically implemented inclusive tourism routes linking rehabilitation centres with accessible tourist attractions in the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia and Ukraine. By adapting existing infrastructure, adding barrier-free route segments and training guides from vulnerable groups, the project will support social reintegration, employment opportunities and sustainable regional recovery.

The initiative responds to the limited social and economic reintegration of war-affected and vulnerable groups, including veterans, internally displaced persons and people with disabilities. Many rehabilitation centres are physically and functionally isolated from local tourism infrastructure and community life. This reduces opportunities for active participation, employment and long-term recovery.

At the same time, V4 countries have practical experience in accessible spa, rehabilitation and health tourism. The project will use this experience to create a transferable model that can support post-conflict recovery and inclusive regional development in cooperation with Ukrainian partners.

Main objective

The main objective of the project is to create and test a practical model of inclusive rehabilitation tourism that links rehabilitation centres with accessible tourism routes, local services and regional development actors.

The project aims to demonstrate how existing rehabilitation and tourism infrastructure can be connected through low-cost accessibility improvements, inclusive services and cross-border cooperation. The model will be tested in four different regional contexts and will serve as a basis for future replication in other regions of the V4 countries and Ukraine.

Project activities

The project will include the following main activities:

Mapping and analysis of rehabilitation centres

A publicly accessible online database and interactive map of rehabilitation centres in the V4 countries and Ukraine will be created. The mapping will assess physical accessibility, connections to public transport, nearby accommodation, tourist services and the potential of each centre to become part of an inclusive tourism route.

The analysis will identify key accessibility gaps and propose practical low-cost improvements, such as barrier-free entrances, orientation signage, rest points and safer pedestrian connections.

Development and pilot testing of inclusive tourism routes

Four inclusive tourism routes will be physically implemented and tested, one in each participating country: the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia and Ukraine.

Each route will connect a rehabilitation centre with accessible tourist attractions, accommodation facilities and local services. The routes will use mostly existing tourism infrastructure, such as spa promenades, marked trails and urban paths, complemented by newly defined barrier-free connecting segments.

The routes will be tested under real operating conditions with users from the target groups, including veterans, persons with disabilities, internally displaced persons and seniors.

Training for travel agencies, guides and tourism professionals

The project will organize national trainings for travel agencies, tour guides, rehabilitation centre staff and other tourism professionals. The trainings will focus on inclusive tourism services, accessibility standards, respectful communication, assistance techniques and work with vulnerable groups.

The trainings will also support the creation of new inclusive tourism offers linked to the pilot routes.

Digital platform with interactive map

A multilingual digital platform will be developed as a public tool for users, rehabilitation centres, tourism providers, municipalities and regional authorities.

The platform will include:

• an interactive map of rehabilitation centres and inclusive routes,
• accessibility profiles of selected sites,
• GPS tracks and route descriptions,
• information on accommodation and local services,
• downloadable maps,
• contact and booking links,
• methodological materials and case studies.

The platform will be available in English, Czech, Slovak, Polish and Ukrainian.

International workshop and final conference

An international workshop in Slovakia will bring together representatives of rehabilitation centres, municipalities, NGOs, tourism providers and universities to refine the pilot routes and discuss accessibility standards.

The final international conference in Prague will present the tested project results to public authorities, professional organizations, universities, NGOs and the wider public. The conference will also include policy recommendations for integrating inclusive rehabilitation tourism into regional and national development strategies.

Scientific and policy outputs

The project will produce scientific articles, methodological materials, policy briefs and a framework for long-term cooperation between V4 and Ukrainian institutions.

These outputs will support the transfer of the project model into professional practice, university teaching, regional planning and future funded projects.

Target groups

The project focuses on the following target groups:

• veterans,
• persons with disabilities,
• internally displaced persons,
• seniors,
• rehabilitation and social support centres,
• municipalities and regional authorities,
• NGOs and civic organizations,
• universities and researchers,
• travel agencies, tour guides and tourism providers,
• policy makers and public institutions.

The project places special emphasis on vulnerable groups affected by war, disability, social exclusion or limited access to services. These groups will not only participate as beneficiaries but will also be involved as testers, consultants, assistants and future inclusive tourism guides.

Expected results

The project will deliver the following key results:

• a map and analysis of rehabilitation centres and their potential for inclusive tourism,
• four physically implemented and pilot-tested inclusive tourism routes in the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia and Ukraine,
• practical low-cost accessibility improvements on selected route segments,
• trained travel agencies, guides and tourism professionals,
• a multilingual digital platform with an interactive map,
• an international workshop in Slovakia,
• an international conference in Prague,
• peer-reviewed scientific publications,
• policy recommendations for public authorities,
• a long-term cooperation framework between V4 and Ukrainian partners.

Regional relevance

The project has direct relevance for selected regions in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland and Ukraine. In these regions, rehabilitation centres are often insufficiently connected to local tourism services, public space and regional economic life.

By creating accessible routes and linking rehabilitation centres with local attractions, accommodation facilities and service providers, the project will support regional diversification, reduce social isolation and create new opportunities for inclusive employment and participation.

The project connects the V4 experience in accessible spa and health tourism with the urgent post-conflict rehabilitation needs of Ukraine. This cross-border cooperation will create a transferable model for inclusive regional recovery and sustainable tourism development.

Sustainability and follow-up

After the end of the project, the digital platform will continue to be updated and used by project partners, rehabilitation centres, tourism providers and public authorities.

The pilot routes will remain operational and will serve as practical demonstrators for other regions. Training materials and methodological outputs will be integrated into university teaching and professional education.

Project partners will also continue cooperation on future initiatives aimed at expanding inclusive rehabilitation tourism routes and supporting vulnerable groups in post-conflict and socially disadvantaged contexts.

Environmental and sustainable development approach

The project promotes sustainable development by using and adapting existing rehabilitation, spa and tourism infrastructure instead of building new facilities. Pilot routes will support walking, cycling and access by public transport.

Project events will follow green standards, including digital materials, limited printing, reusable equipment and local catering where possible. The digital platform will reduce the need for printed guides and allow continuous online updates.

Through these measures, the project combines social inclusion, accessibility and sustainable regional development.

Contact

Pan-European University
Ing. Iveta Hamarneh, Ph.D.
iveta.hamarneh@peuni.cz, +420 731 505 730