Green2Grow: Pioneering Sustainable Growth in Tourism
Erasmus+ European Project
“Green2Grow – Green transition skills for sustainable destination management in response to climate change and loss of biodiversity”
As the world moves toward a greener future, tourism is a sector that stands at the forefront of change. Sustainability in tourism is no longer a trend but a necessity—an opportunity to create healthier, cleaner, and more attractive destinations for future generations of travellers. That’s why we are excited to announce the launch of the Green2Grow project, an ambitious initiative aimed at bridging the green skills gap in the tourism ecosystem and promoting sustainable practices that will benefit destinations, communities, and the environment.
Kick-off Meeting in Sofia, Bulgaria: 9-10 October 2024
The Green2Grow project officially kicks off next week with a meeting in Sofia, Bulgaria. This two-day event will bring together partners from across Europe (Cyprus, Italy and Bulgaria) to collaborate on this crucial initiative, setting the stage for the project’s journey over the coming months.
What is Green2Grow?
Green2Grow is all about addressing the challenges of green transition in tourism by equipping Destination Management Organizations (DMOs) with the knowledge, skills, and tools they need to drive sustainable change. Our vision is to make tourist destinations more environmentally friendly, enjoyable, and economically vibrant. By closing the skills gap and offering specialized training, Green2Grow will empower DMOs to lead the charge toward greener tourism practices.
Our Mission: Bridging the Skills Gap for a Greener Future
The core mission of Green2Grow is to create a comprehensive training program focused on green skills, designed specifically for tourism professionals. Our aim is to empower DMOs with the tools and knowledge to promote sustainable tourism practices. This will not only enhance the environmental health of tourist destinations but will also drive job creation, economic growth, and an overall improved quality of life for local communities.
Key Objectives of the Project
To achieve this mission, Green2Grow will focus on several key objectives:
- Knowledge Transfer Across Europe: We will scout and map sustainable practices in tourism across member states, creating user-specific guidelines to promote vertical and horizontal sustainability in the tourism sector.
- Empowering DMOs with Green Skills: The project will develop a vocational training pathway on sustainable tourism. This will equip DMOs with the green skills needed to tackle local challenges, promote low-impact value chains, and adopt Circular Economy models to optimize resource use and minimize environmental impact.
- Creating Long-term Access to Knowledge: Through the development of an online training platform, Green2Grow will ensure that DMOs and tourism professionals across Europe have long-term access to training materials, enabling them to continue implementing sustainable practices in their regions.
Why Green2Grow Matters
Tourism plays a critical role in shaping the economic and environmental landscape of many regions. However, as tourist numbers grow, so do the pressures on local ecosystems, resources, and communities. Green2Grow aims to ensure that the tourism sector can thrive sustainably—minimizing its ecological footprint while maximizing positive economic and social impacts.
By equipping DMOs with the tools they need to lead sustainable change, Green2Grow will create ripple effects that benefit not just individual destinations but the entire European tourism ecosystem. Cleaner, healthier, and more resilient tourist areas will attract more visitors, create jobs, and drive long-term economic growth.
Next Steps
The Sofia kick-off meeting is just the beginning of an exciting journey. Over the next months, Green2Grow will continue to collaborate with tourism experts, local communities, and environmental stakeholders to create a robust training program, pilot innovative green practices, and empower tourism professionals to lead the way toward a greener future.
Stay tuned for more updates on this groundbreaking initiative, and join us as we embark on the path to a more sustainable, prosperous tourism sector with Green2Grow!
Start date 01-09-2024 – End date 31-08-2026.
The project is co-funded by the European Commission, and by the Erasmus + KA2 Lifelong Learning Program.
Project Number: 2021-1-ES01-KA220-SCH-000024522