Green2grow - Kom in sofia, Bulgaria

Green2Grow KoM

Date: October 9-10, 2024

Location: Sofia, Bulgaria

Green2Grow Project Kick-off Meeting: Setting the Stage for Sustainable Tourism

We’re thrilled to announce the successful completion of the Green2Grow Project Kick-off Meeting, which took place on October 9-10, 2024, in Sofia, Bulgaria. Hosted by Benevent Ltd., this two-day event brought together partners from across Europe to align on the project’s objectives, tasks, and next steps in our mission to bridge the skills gap in tourism and promote sustainable practices.

Day 1 

The meeting kicked off with a warm welcome from Benevent Ltd., followed by introductions from all partners. The atmosphere was filled with enthusiasm as we laid the foundation for our shared mission: to drive the green transition in the tourism sector and make destinations across Europe more environmentally sustainable.

The first presentation provided a general overview of the Green2Grow project, including its work packages (WPs), deliverables, and timeline. This session set the stage for the focused discussions that followed, outlining the clear structure of the project and the specific roles and responsibilities of each partner.

Key Discussions:

• Project Management (WP1): Benevent Ltd. introduced the administrative and financial rules governing the project, along with quality assurance measures and the schedule for regular online and physical meetings. The team discussed how to ensure smooth project management and maintain a high level of accountability throughout the project’s duration.
• Scouting & Mapping Sustainability Practices (WP2): The focus then shifted to one of the project’s cornerstone objectives—identifying and cataloging sustainable tourism practices across the EU. Partners DPOW and W4 will lead the efforts to gather valuable data, set timelines, and establish the roles and responsibilities for delivering this critical work package.
• Skills Gap Identification & Needs Analysis (WP3): Another key area of discussion centered around identifying the skills gap in sustainable tourism, with FCAT and Benevent taking the lead on this work package. The outcomes of this WP will directly feed into the training program that will be developed later in the project.

The day concluded with a wrap-up session, summarizing the key points of discussion and setting the tone for Day 2. 

Day 2 

Day 2 began with a presentation on VET Program Design & Implementation (WP4), which focuses on developing a vocational training program that will equip Destination Management Organizations (DMOs) with green skills to address local tourism challenges. Benevent and W4 presented the roadmap for creating this vital training pathway, which will help DMOs lead sustainable initiatives in their regions.

Following that, we discussed Communication, Dissemination & Sustainability (WP5), a work package that will ensure the project’s long-term impact by promoting its results and creating open access to the training materials developed. This will be a collaborative effort led by Benevent, FCAT, and DPOW, ensuring maximum visibility and sustainability of the project’s outputs.

The meeting wrapped up with a planning session, during which we agreed on deadlines for deliverables, upcoming physical meetings, and key milestones for the first six months of the project.

What’s Next for Green2Grow?

With the Kick-off Meeting behind us, the Green2Grow project is now full steam ahead! Over the coming months, our focus will be on researching and cataloging the best sustainable practices in tourism across Europe. These findings will lay the groundwork for the development of a comprehensive training program that will empower DMOs and tourism professionals to implement greener, more sustainable solutions in their regions.

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue this exciting journey towards a greener tourism future!