On May 27-28, 2025, the DGTRAN project team gathered in Larisa, Greece, for the final project meeting. The event was hosted by the Institute of Entrepreneurship Development (iED) at the JOIST Innovation Park. Partners from Ukraine, Lithuania, Poland, and Greece came together to reflect on the results, share experiences, and celebrate the achievements of DGTRAN.

The two-day meeting began on May 27 with partner arrivals in Larisa. In the evening, everyone gathered for a social dinner at Akamatra. We had a relaxed, joyful evening full of stories, laughter, and reflection on our shared journey over the past years. It was a perfect way to reconnect before the official program.

On May 28, the official agenda began. The day opened with a welcome address from the iED team. Then, Marta Sydoruk, project coordinator from the Volyn Foundation, gave an introductory presentation, walking us through the key milestones and achievements of DGTRAN.

So, what are the achievements of the DGTRAN project?

The DGTRAN project, supported by the Creative Europe Programme, aimed to promote high-quality cultural content across Europe and beyond. It sought to attract more cultural tourists and strengthen cooperation between countries, while building stronger cultural ties and encouraging intercultural dialogue.

One of its core focuses was the digital reconstruction of historical buildings connected to the legacy of Vytautas the Great. Thanks to the work of the international team, we brought to life 11 castles and heritage sites across Ukraine, Lithuania, and Poland. These digital models are now freely available on the project’s user-friendly website vytautasbelt.eu, where visitors can explore them with historical descriptions.

The project also created an interactive tour of a transnational tourist route, “The Belt of Vytautas,” connecting key medieval landmarks. To make the experience even more immersive, we developed a mobile app, allowing users to engage with these sites through Augmented Reality (AR) and virtually “travel in time.”

During the final meeting, we heard updates from each partner, discussed the external evaluation of the project, and reviewed dissemination and financial reports. The conversations were open, reflective, and future-oriented. We talked about what we’ve learned, what challenges we’ve overcome, and what comes next.

The Steering Committee closed the day with final reflections and ideas for future collaboration. While DGTRAN is coming to an end, the partnerships we’ve built are just beginning.

We’re grateful to our hosts at iED for their warm hospitality and to all partners for their dedication, creativity, and teamwork.