A new initiative designed to support local entrepreneurship along the iconic hiking route Via Transilvanica has been launched by Asociația Tășuleasa Social in partnership with ADV România. The program, titled “Acceleratorul de întreprinderi sociale pe Via Transilvanica”, aims to support the creation of 10 social enterprises in communities located along the 1,600-kilometer trail that crosses Romania from Putna to Drobeta-Turnu Severin.
Often described as Romania’s answer to the Camino de Santiago, Via Transilvanica stretches for more than 1,600 kilometers across the country, connecting the Bucovina region in the north with the Danube in the south-west. Since its inauguration in 2022, the trail has quickly become one of the most ambitious cultural and tourism infrastructure projects in Romania, crossing 10 counties, dozens of rural communities, and diverse landscapes ranging from forests and hills to historic villages and fortified churches.
Beyond its tourism appeal, the project has also been designed as a community development platform, encouraging local residents to create services and experiences for the growing number of hikers and cyclists exploring the route.
Social enterprise accelerator
Participants will benefit from entrepreneurial training, mentorship, and non-repayable grants of up to EUR 8,000 per project. The accelerator targets individuals and informal groups living or operating in localities along the route who want to develop products or services for hikers and local communities.
Eligible initiatives may include guesthouses, food services, luggage transport for hikers, craft workshops, or wellness and recovery services, particularly in areas where such infrastructure is still limited.
According to the organizers, the program aims to strengthen the local economy along the trail while encouraging residents to build sustainable businesses connected to the growing flow of travelers exploring Via Transilvanica.
The initiative is implemented in partnership with Social Finance Association and WISE Travel, and is co-financed through private funds. Applications are open until March 31, 2026, more details, here.
Photo courtesy of Via Transilvanica