In partnership of the Pechory region in Russia, Räpina municipality in Estonia and Vilaka municipality in Latvia there is prepared a cross- border cooperation project with the aim to promote the cultural and historical heritage and support the local traditional skills on the border regions. Projects main activities are: I Renovation of the buildings of the historical value on each side of the border: I.1. Centre for preservation and rehabilitation of cultural traditions in Cross-border regions of Russia, Estonia and Latvia in the town of Pechory (historical building of the Estonian Defence League, built in 1926-1928); I.2. Competence Centre for Creative Industries in Räpina (the historical building of the barn of the former Räpina Manor, established in 1830); I.3.Creative Industries Centre in Vilaka (the historical building of the former capuchin monastary, built in 1936 – 1940). II. Networking and promotion of traditions via events and master classes III. Information and visibility actions IV. Project management and coordination Target regions of the project are the border areas of the Põlva County in Estonia (incl the municipalities of Räpina, Mikitamäe, Värska, Veriora and Orava), the Pechory District in Russia and the Vilaka Municipality inLatvia ( incl.Vilaka city, Medneva, Skilbeni, Susaji, Kuprava, Vecumi and Ziguri parishes). Project partners are: municipality of Räpina (Estonia), administration of the Perchory district (Russia), Municipal Culture Institution Culture Centre of Pechory District (Russia), Vilaka Municipal Council (Latvia). All partners have been active in project planning and preparation during the last 6 months and have the necessary competences and resources for implemenatation the project. To preserve the cultural heritage and traditions of the region, which are often kept by elderly people, activities aimed at promoting those values and sharing them with wider audiences, also cooperation among people working in the field of culture on each side of the border will be promoted thus contributing to better understanding of neighbouring nations.The benefit for the target groups can be described as follows: preservation of historical heritage, maintenance of know-how and local traditional skills , strengthened co-operation on the preservation of cultural and historical heritage and transmission between different culture spheres of the participating regions, improved skills and capacities of the cultural and historical heritage actors, strengthened local identity, raised value of living environment, established practical and sustainable partnerships. Project activities are devided into 4 Activity Packages and are planned to carry out during the 24 months,starting Oct 2011. Achievements: Outputs*3 historical buildings restored by partner municipalities in Räpina (Estonia), in Pechory (Pskov Region, Russia) and in Vilaka (Latvia); *3 Culture Centres developed and equipped in partner municipalities; *33 folk costumes for amateur folklore ensembles procured (Pechory); * 15 ethnological expeditions with 12 volunteers organized in Pechory District, findings published in 2000 booklets in Russian and English; *3 Master-classes for about 100 participants and 2 Conferences for above 200 participants held; *International Festival of Culture Open Hearts to Music in Pechory for singers, dancers and musicians, and Art exhibitions in 3 partner municipalities organized; 15 press-releases and 8 articles in newspapers published in 18000 copies to promote local cultural heritage; *Website created and information published (in 4 languages) on http://heritage.rapina.ee/Results*3 Culture Centres opened for local public and visitors in Räpina (Estonia), in Vilaka (Latvia) and in Pechory (Pskov Region, Russia); *These centres are also accessible for disadvantaged people and give positive influence on equal opportunities; *Skills and capacities of the cultural and historical heritage actors and local people improved; *Raised awareness of local communities and young people in project regions about local historical heritage and cultural traditions; *Strengthened cooperation on the preservation of cultural and historical heritage and exchange between different culture spheres of the participating regions, network fostered in the field of culture and creative industries; *Regions widely promoted due to active preservation of historical heritage, maintenance of know-how and local traditional skills, and joint culture events ; *Thematic materials about local historical and cultural heritage widely available for local and regional audience