International cooperation
Partnership with the Kaunas District Tourism and Business Information Center
After years of preparation, which were slowed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the public benefit corporation Baťa Canal signed a memorandum of cooperation with the Kaunas District Tourism and Business Information Center on September 14, 2022, in Veselí nad Moravou. This strategic international partnership was established on the initiative of and with significant support from the South Moravian Region.
Why Lithuania, of all places?
Lithuania boasts an extensive network of waterways and extensive experience in securing European grants for tourism development. The main purpose of the cooperation is therefore the mutual exchange of valuable know-how. The partnership aims to connect mayors of municipalities and entrepreneurs operating along waterways in both countries, support education, and strengthen tourism overall. The Baťa Canal, which is visited by thousands of tourists every year, thus gains another important boost for its development.
First Steps
The collaboration got fully underway in March 2023 with a visit by a South Moravian delegation to Kaunas (Lithuania), which was also attended by Vojtěch Bártek, director of the Baťa Canal. A tour of local ports and boat wintering facilities, along with meetings with representatives of the Lithuanian Directorate of Inland Waterways, confirmed significant potential for further joint activities.
Thanks to the South Moravian Region, we were also able to meet with the Lithuanian delegation in the Czech Republic, specifically on September 30, 2025, in Bítov. The meeting confirmed that both sides have a strong interest in further developing their mutual cooperation.
Successful Erasmus+ Project
Building directly on these successful beginnings is a newly approved project under the Erasmus+ program. This project will enable even deeper ties between the two regions and more intensive work on selected topics. Thanks to this project, a total of three study visits will take place in 2026 and 2027—two trips from the Czech Republic to Lithuania (job shadowing) and one from Lithuania to the Czech Republic (invited experts).
More details about this Erasmus+ project »
Future collaboration
The potential for partnership is significant, as evidenced by the interest shown by other organizations and companies that have approached us regarding cooperation with Lithuania. Each meeting opens up new topics that contribute to improving the quality of education and developing tourism. Our goal is to make the most of this cooperation, systematically share know-how among the participating organizations, and actively monitor grant programs that could further support our joint development.