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Priority 1 - SO 2.4: Promoting climate change adaptation and disaster risk prevention and resilience, taking into account ecosystem-based approaches

Lead Partner HZ University of Applied Sciences (NL) I Contacts: Reeleaf on behalf of HZ University of Applied Sciences Jacqueline Brouwer (j.brouwer[a]reeleaf.nl) and Lisa Mangattale (l.mangattale[a]reeleaf.nl)

Coastal regions in North-West Europe (NWE) are severely impacted by climate change. They need to cope with sea level rise and heat stress and devise a strategy and new solutions to adapt their economic activities (mainly tourism) while protecting liveability and community resilience. Governance of coastal areas and geographical dynamics are complex and call for intensive cooperation using innovative ideas across borders. 

The objective of CoARES is to identify long-term climate adaptation solutions for coastal areas. We like to include spatial planning experimentation-pilots dealing with future climate change impact, like rising sea levels resulting in less coast available and/or weather extremes like heat stress.

CoARES aims to overcome the complexity of finding climate adaptation solutions for coastal areas by realising spatial planning experimentation pilots that combine technical, governmental and participatory innovations, while making use of transnational cooperation to provide coastal regions in NWE with new options to boost their community resilience while adapting to climate risks.

Governmental authorities at various levels, coastal businesses, technical businesses, regional development agencies, knowledge institutions; Partners from the coastal regions of West Flanders, German Wadden Islands and Ireland are particularly invited to Jacqueline Brouwer and Lisa Mangattale.

Project Description

Priority 1 - SO 2.4 Promoting climate change adaptation and disaster risk prevention and resilience, taking into account ecosystem-based approaches

Leadpartner: UCLouvain, Earth and Life Institute (BE) | Contact: Alice Alonso (Alice.alonso[at]adscian.be)

This project aims to reduce the risk of pluvial muddy floods by:

- developing a pluvial (muddy) flood early warning system (medium, and possibly short-term)
- developing pilot actions
- sharing of good / successful practices for prevention, protection, preparation, and reparation

Pluvial, muddy flooding is an issue faced by different countries in the NWE region. A large knowledge base and risk management approaches have been developed, and lessons have been learned by the different regions. So far, the knowledge is dispersed. There is a need of “cross-fertilization” through (i) the gathering and analysis of data to improve risks prediction models; (ii) the sharing of good practices.

The leadpartner is looking for research organizations, regional or local sectoral agencies, SMEs or NGOs who want to join the partner consortium. 

Projektskizze

Priority 1 - SO 2.7 Enhancing nature protection, biodiversity and reducing all forms of pollution

Leadpartner: Province of Friesland (NL) | Contact: Peter Algra (p.algra[at]fryslan.frl)

Farmland birds in NW Europe are in decline due to ongoing agri intensification and climate change. In 40 years, populations of farmbirds species declined  tonearly 70 % (NL statistics).

Main objectives: Improve efforts for conservation and recovery of farmland bird populations by applying front-end monitoring technologies with drones, Copernicus satelite images, artificial intelligence e.g. thus contributing to faster and more efficient implementation of EU Nature Restoration Regulation and NATURA2000 objectives.

FarmBird is looking for regional authorities, NGOs in the field of biodiversity management and governance, IT-consultancies and/or other front runners in highend monitoring, universities or DG DEFIS.

Priority 1 - SO 2.7 Enhancing nature protection, biodiversity and reducing all forms of pollution

Leadpartner: Natuurinvest (BE) | Contact: (martin.winnock[at]vlaanderen.be)

The project focuses on enhancing forest resilience on podzolic soils in Northwest Europe through stakeholder training and the implementation of innovative forest management techniques. Target groups include forest managers, workers, timber companies, local communities, and policymakers. By addressing critical challenges such as soil degradation and forest composition, the initiative aims to produce tangible outcomes: trained professionals, collaborative strategies, and improved forest practices. 

These efforts will boost biodiversity, strengthen ecosystem services, and promote sustainable forestry for the long term. 

This project is searching for partners based in Germany such as State Forest enterprises, Federal and Regional Forests, Federal and Regional Forest Authorities

Priority 3 - SO 2.6 Circular and resource efficient economy
Lead partner: Energy Challenges Foundation (NL) | Arnoud Dikker (arnoud.dikker[at]energychallenges.nl)

RYF is a project idea specifically targeting awareness and practices of the younger generations, through energy efficiency programmes at schools (with proven technology), smart cooking workshops and by increasing awareness and knowledge via fun games and evidence based pilots around circularity and resource efficiency. The project effectively aims to decrease the foodprint of involved youngsters by 10%, decrease energy usage by 10% at schools, and increase awareness about resource efficiency and circularity by more than 60%. The project will target at least 80.000 youngsters through 150 schools and 80.000 youngsters.

We are looking for the following partners from Germany and other territories: Any stakeholders - e.g. cooking schools, sustainable clithing companies, education authorities, relevant assocations - interested. 

Projektskizze

Priority 3 - SO 2.6 Circular and resource efficient economy
Lead partner: Teagasc (IE) | Contact person: Susanne Barth (susanne.barth[at]teagasc.ie)

Regional food chains from farm to consumer are underdeveloped. This leads to a high dependency of import for food ingredients which could be produced more sustainably and more economical beneficial to the regional economies. We have the knowledge to produce quality food ingredients from crops and the knowledge at processing level, but North West European countries are weak in linking all actors in a working chain to get to full regional supply chains from farm to the consumer. If we can demonstrate good regional examples we could use those as ambassadors for other initiatives to be developed and learn from each other. 

Our objectives are to demonstrate for each partner country in the project

1. Identify, select and test more suitable crop varieties
2. Produce (a) product(s) suitable for human consumption/ product development
3. Nutritional analysis of food ingredients and or intervention study
4. market analysis with consumer behaviour/needs and or market opportunities
5. demonstrate a full network in a pilot
6. Share learnings between partners on pitfalls and opportunities
7. provide training amongst partners and also to other initiatives with an open call

Expected results are e.g.

• Guidelines for farmers: Compilation of agronomy protocols for food crop varieties and selection of varieties to ensure a consistent quality for further food processing.
• Consumer ready products with a high likelihood of uptake developed: Guidelines for bakers and millers
• Information about the health benefits and taste properties of the food products
• Market analysis completed to partner country European regional chains
• Learnings translated into accessible information and information events for different stakeholders (regional chambers of commerce, farmer organisations, food promotion agencies, consumer agencies)
• Number of regional training sessions and field days held.
• Formulation of regional strategies: all chain, market opportunities and consumer engagement

We are looking for the following partners: 

• Public sector organisations with responsibility for strategies and policy on agriculture, crop varieties, business and sustainable food processing chains
• Food and health promotion agencies, consumer agencies, environment agencies
• food chain stakeholders, food storage, transport, food producers, bakers, millers, market analysis, interest groups for private sector eg: chambers of commerce, farmers
• groups representing citizens, community development, environment and healthy food sustainability groups.
• Research institutions for agronomy, crop varieties, quality monitoring, nutritional analysis & health benefits, Product development

Projektskizze

Priority 4 - SO 1.1 Developing and enhancing research and innovation capacities and the uptake of advanced technologies

Leadpartner: Berry Numérique (FR) | Contact: Pascal BOURDILLON (contact[at]berrynumerique.fr)

The project aims to acquire a detailed understanding of the large water cycle at the scale of a coherent territory (such as a watershed) to better assess the actions necessary for sustainable and shared use of water resources.
This project will provide comprehensive and accurate data, along with a methodology, to move towards sustainable water resource management.

The project consists of several parts:
1. Deployment of a set of connected sensors to monitor and analyze the large water cycle at the scale of a coherent territory, including: rainfall, evaporation, infiltration, river flow, groundwater levels, and tracking all water takings (irrigation, private, professional).
2. Raising awareness and supporting all relevant stakeholders to engage them in the project.
3. Establishing appropriate governance for this type of project.
4. Developing a predictive model based on collected data for a medium-term assessment of water resource trends.

This project is looking for public entities responsible for water management, private sector (sensor suppliers, change management) or academic institutions (modeling research). They should identify and adequately equip a relevant territory, establish and support suitable governance, develop and test a predictive model.

Projektskizze

Priority 4 - SO 1.1 Developing and enhancing research and innovation capacities and the uptake of advanced technologies
Lead partner: Saxion Hogeschool (NL) | Thierry Tartarin (t.j.m.tartarin[at]saxion.nl)

NWE port activities significantly contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and are hazardous places for humans to work. Drone applications (e.g., package delivery) offer innovative ways for ports to reduce their carbon footprint while providing safer and more efficient operations. However, ports are complex ecosystems and need help implementing drone technology. The objective of Drones4Pros is therefore to 

• Design a drone implementation method to create resilient and sustainable NWE port operations by 2030
• Develop drone-related multiple-value (environmental, social, economic) creation of innovative business models
• Use drones to improve NWE port’s safety and security as critical infrastructure (EU Strategic Autonomy agenda)

The project will work towards the following results: 

• Blueprint for drone implementation in port operations
• Recommendations for regional, national, and EU policies
• Recommendations for vocational curricula

Looking for German partners from the following sectors: 

• Ports (maritime or inland)
• Horizontal institutions/organisations to analyse pilot results to create the blueprint
• Organisations involved with government/EU policies
• Knowledge institutes schools to develop drone programmes

Priority 4 - SO 1.1 Developing and enhancing research and innovation capacities and the uptake of advanced technologies
Lead partner: TechnologieCentrum Noord-Nederland (NL) | Maria Martirosyann (mariamartirosyan[at]tcnn.nl)

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) often face hesitation in adopting AI due to concerns about job displacement, data security, and distinguishing fact from fiction. Local authorities, despite having digitization policies, struggle to implement these strategies effectively for SMEs. Additionally, a significant skills gap exists among SME managers and employees, making AI adoption more challenging. The project will develop AI integration packages to enable SMEs to adopt existing AI tools rapidly and sustainably, assist local authorities in transforming digitization policies into practical actions, engaging SMEs in AI adoption for growth and innovation, and design comprehensive AI training programs for managers and employees in both SMEs and local authorities. 

The following work packages are planned: 

• AI Integration Packages: Creation of AI resources, workshops, and demos tailored for SMEs.
• Pilot Projects: Practical implementation of AI tools in SMEs, with outcomes documented for wider learning.
• Training Programs: Specialized training for AI skills development among SME employees and managers.

Looking for partners: we are looking for local authorities and/or business clusters from Germany. 

Projektskizze

Priority 4 - SO 1.1 Developing and enhancing research and innovation capacities and the uptake of advanced technologies
Lead partner: Région Ile-de-France (FR) | Claire Fauroux claire.fauroux[a]iledefrance-nature.fr and Kevin Schwendemann kevin.schwendemann[a]iledefrance-nature.fr

Waste disposal is one of the greatest environmental challenges. By 2050 waste generation is expected to reach 3.40 billion tons worldwide with an increasing number of illegal landfills across European countries.
The existence of illegal landfills is an increasing problem all over NWE region. Illegal uncontrolled refuse storage areas, commonly referred to as "illegal waste dumps" (IWD), occur most frequently on forest margins, in ditches, on the peripheries of inhabited areas as well as at former quarries.
IWD has a significant environmental impact on the territories, but also on the people who live there. Due to their unnatural degradation in the ecosystem, abandoned waste becomes a source of pollution for soils, rivers and groundwater.
Our project is to bring partners to exchange experiences, practices and technology on how to move forward from existing procedures on IWD management towards the adoption and further exploitation of the best practices and measures applied in the field.

Impact and results:
The project activities will adapt and implement existing approaches and technologies for a wider range of territories and:
• develop monitoring approach(es) to adapt clean-up processes and local collaboration over time;
• develop tools to create synergy between the local civil society, waste management companies, researchers, and local authorities to cure those illegal landfills locally.

Skizze

Priority 5 - SO 4.1 Access to Employment   
Lead partner: Business in the Community (IE) | Contact person: Alison Payne (apayne[at]bitc.ie) 

EPIC will combat lower rates of employment and social integration for migrants, especially refugees in Northwest Europe. It further wants to address the urban and rural challenges for disadvantaged job seekers through online support along with local place based supports. More specifically, the project will provide support to migrant job seekers and to businesses that want to attract, hire, and retain more diverse employees. 

We are looking for German partners from the following sectors: 

• Partners: NGO/Government/Business with a commitment to client centred approach and inclusive practices.
• Skills/Solutions: Innovative job seeker training, trauma informed career counselling, and business/NGO/Government strategic partnerships.
• Expertise: Urban and rural job seekers, new migrant populations and hybrid models of delivery

Priority 5 – SO 4.1Enhancing the effectiveness and inclusiveness of labour markets and access to quality employment through developing social infrastructure and promoting social economy

Lead Partner Paris – IDF Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FR) I Contact person: Irina Parisot (iparisot[a]cci-paris-idf.fr)

North-West Europe is facing key challenges, including social and professional integration, employment, and innovation. Artisanal and industrial trades are experiencing a decline in attractiveness and labour shortages. To reverse the trend and preserve regional economic development, it is urgent to revalue these short-staffed professions, ensure know-how transmission in align need with skills in the agrifood sector.  

Focusing on manufacturing in the highly pressured agrifood sector, FOOD SKILLs’ objective is to strengthen the attractiveness of short-staffed professions in the NWE area and to facilitate the professional integration of young population. To achieve this goal, the project will assess existing practices in the partner regions. By leveraging networks of relevant businesses and local stakeholders, FOOD SKILLs will also implement experimental actions and identify the most effective ones.

SKILL will contribute to 5 results:

1. Supporting employment
2. Facilitating social integration
3. Strengthening the economic foundation and competitiveness of the involved regions
4. Promoting quality skills
5. Contributing to regional strategies

Partners search:

• Geographic scope: the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Ireland, partner
• Typology: governmental and non-governmental organisations, federations and professional associations, SMEs and business networks, academic and university stakeholders, vocational training organisations.

Priority 5 - SO 4.1 Enhancing the effectiveness and inclusiveness of labour markets and access to quality employment through developing social infrastructure and promoting social economy
Lead Partner: Ballymun Job Centre (IE) I Contact: Ruth Hurley (hurley[at]bmunjob.ie) 

The overal objective of the project is to provide interrelated interventions that support disadvantaged young people NEETs access high quality and sustainable work experience, through inter-agency collaboration facilitated by peer mentors in the workplace and coaches guidance practitioners from the interregional partnership. This project will scale up inter-agency collaboration, into a greater network to influence the Apprenticeship systems in the partners territories to become more inclusive of young people NEETs. In doing so, the project idea builds upon the Interreg NWE small-scale project “TERREMPLO - Territories for Employment” (link).  
Among other activities, this project aims to 

• establish, pilot and test a range of interventions to assist young people NEETs to access employment within a co-operative inter agency framework
• map current apprenticeship programmes and employer networks available in our territories, to better support the accessibility and promotion of sustainable work experience programmes across the partner organisations
• structure individual support to participants starting work experience through peer mentoring from employers and coaching from employment services and training providers
• ensure employability preparation, upskilling and integration journey pre-placement with participants throughout iterative cycles of 6 months
• Enable regulated data sharing and evidence-based research of young people NEETs job seekers between relevant agencies and services

The project is looking for the following partners from Germany: 

• Public Employment services
• employment department within municipalities/city councils.
• VET Training providers experienced with European funding

Projektskizze

Priority 5 - SO 4.1 Enhancing the effectiveness and inclusiveness of labour markets and access to quality employment through developing social infrastructure and promoting social economy

Leadpartner: Artevelde University of Applied Sciences (BE) | Contact: Elise Cornelis (elise.cornelis[at]arteveldehs.be)

The increasing number of older adults possesses valuable expriences and skills that are not fully utilised. Age-friendly volunteering can ensure that these talents are not lost. Key challenges are:

(1) social isolation: by volunteering older adults can build social networks and improve their mental well-being.
(2) strengthening communities: local communities can benefit from the knowledge and commitment of older adults.

Main objectives of this project:

This project aims to foster and enhance opportunities for older adults to engage in volunteering, recognising their valuable life
experiences and skills. It seeks to create age-friendly environments in which older individuals can actively participate in community activities, thus promoting social inclusion, intergenerational collaboration and enrichment of local communities.

The project AliVE is looking for (1) non-profit organisations and community groups to offer project implementation, volunteer networks, and experience in mentoring older volunteers and (2) health and welfare organisations with expertise in health promotion, access to older clients and training on well-being and care for volunteers.

Priority 5 - SO 4.5 Ensuring equal access to health care and fostering resilience of health systems

Leadpartner: Ex Aequo ASBL, Brussels (BE) | Contact: Stephen Barris (exaequo.asbl[at]gmail.com) and Vincent Reillon (Vincent.reillon[at]gmail.com)

The overall objective of the project is to improve access to healthcare for LGBTIQ+ people in North West Europe by addressing structural discrimination, scaling up community-based health initiatives, and developing a coordinated transnational model that reduces health inequalities and meets the specific needs of LGBTIQ+ communities.

The project will deliver:

• A jointly developed LGBTIQ+ health strategy for adoption by local governments to embed inclusive healthcare practices into policies.
• A pilot next-generation health center in Brussels offering comprehensive services for all LGBTIQ+ people, serving as a replicable model.
• An innovative digital platform to connect LGBTIQ+ individuals with services and collect health data for evidence-based policymaking.
• A biennial European conference to build a community of knowledge, share best practices, and foster transnational collaboration.

The project aims to achieve:

1. Improved access to healthcare for LGBTIQ+ people by reducing discrimination and addressing specific health needs.

2. Scaled-up and more efficient community-based health initiatives, reaching diverse LGBTIQ+ populations, including those in rural and peri-urban areas.

3. Greater awareness and recognition among local governments and healthcare providers of the unique health challenges faced by LGBTIQ+ people, leading to stronger institutional support.

4. Enhanced collaboration and knowledge-sharing across the NWE region, resulting in replicable models and tools to address LGBTIQ+ health needs effectively.

This project is looking for the following German partners:

• LGBTIQ+ Health Civil Society Organizations and LGBTIQ+ Community-Based Health Centers

• Local authorities (implementation of health and social policies)

• Research institutions (knowledge of healthcare systems and LGBTIQ+ health needs)

• Private Companies in healthcare and digital innovation

Projektskizze

Priority 5 - SO 4.5 Ensuring equal access to health care and fostering resilience of health systems
Lead partner: Royal College of Surgeons (IE) | Contact person: Breda Smyth (bredasmyth[at]rcsi.ie) 

The objective of this project is to develop a reference framework for Acute Virtual Wards (AVWs) to address the resource challenge in North West Europe acute hospitals due to an ageing population while improving patient experience by delivering the care they need at home. 

1.  This project will deliver a reference Model of Care for Acute Virtual Wards, collating examples of best practice transnationally that is effective and efficient and deliver an evidence-based toolkit for countries to adapt a model of care to their health system.
2. A Population Risk Assessment to identify population cohorts most suitable to acute virtual wards care. All analytical tools including Artificial Intelligence tools, e.g., Machine Learning and Large Language Models will be used to carry out this analysis.
3. A Core Clinical Staffing Model for AVWs in local acute hospital sites will be developed based on international experience and tailored to the NWE acute hospital systems.
4. A toolkit will be developed that will outline the fundamental technology requirements to implement a Digital Health Platform to deliver AVWs whilst adaptable to individual countries systems.
5. Quality & patient safety issues will be identified and interventions to mitigate these risks described.
6. Participatory Research will be carried out with populations of all social classes including vulnerable and marginalized populations to assess equity, cultural and behavioural insights regarding Acute Virtual Wards and their ability to adapt to this concept.
7. Cost Effectiveness Analysis will be carried out across countries identifying the most cost effective virtual care strategies and models of care.

The consortium is seeking German partners with expertise in:
•    Acute Virtual Wards or Virtual Care in the area of Chronic Disease / Fragility
•    Enterprises or SME's with Digital Health Platforms
•    Data Science Expertise 
•    Health Economics Expertise 
•    Behavioural Science Expertise

Projektskizze

Priority 5 - SO 4.5 Ensuring equal access to health care and fostering resilience of health systems

Leadpartner: The Health and Europe Centre (IE) | Contacts: Thomas Molloy, IE (Thomas.molloy[at]healthandeurope.eu) or Norbert Göller, DE (n.goeller[at]irrsinnig-menschlich.de)

Professionals working with young people across NWE continue to experience unprecedented demand for mental health support, triggered by COVID – and this has highlighted the existing difficulties in accessing services. The BRIGHT SIDE partnership has cho-sen to work with its nine target areas specifically because they are peripheral, with high levels of deprivation and marginalization, limited services with long waiting lists, and often, poor public transport.

The issues of access to services are exacerbated by approaches to young people’s mental health which result in negative termi-nology, labelling and stigma. Labelling a young person as being at risk of suicide, self-harm, alcohol abuse, or not being in educa-tion, employment or training, for instance, focuses on the problem, rather than reinforcing the young person’s positive health assets.

BRIGHT SIDE will respond to our identified challenges (negative approaches, increased demand, worsening mental health, access issues) by:
1 - Positive Young People’s Mental Health Indicator Matrix (Pilot Action)

2 - New, innovative, transnational Positive Young People’s Mental Health Strategy

3 - 400-member stakeholder cooperation network (Capacity Building/Awareness Raising)

BRIGHT SIDE responds to the widely-recognised need amongst mental health professionals and others working with young people for a different approach to young people’s mental health, focusing on the positive rather than the negative. In spite of this consensus, a common, validated methodology is lacking.

This project is looking for local, regional or national public authorities in Germany.

Projektskizze

Priority 5 - SO 4.5 Ensuring equal access to health care and fostering resilience of health systems
Lead partner: EURASANTÉ (FR) | Contact person: Sébastien Raemdonck, sraemdonck[a]eurasante.com; +33 359390181; www.eurasante.com

Former coal mining areas (FCMA) in North-West Europe (France, Belgium, Germany, and Ireland) face significant healthcare challenges, including, increasing chronic disease prevalence (cancer, obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases), and limited healthcare access and an aging population. FCMA are both embedded in rural and peripheral urban areas and are particularly affected by the retirement of healthcare professionals and residents’ lower prioritization of health.

The project proposes addressing these challenges through transnational cooperation to develop a joint strategy and action plan. This approach would facilitate knowledge sharing, innovative health pathways, global data collection, and preparedness for future healthcare system demands across the region.

A core solution involves establishing sports medicine centers (SMCs) to:

1. Create new health pathways with innovative sports equipment and facilities as part of patient care.

2. Integrate physical activity into chronic disease treatment and prevention (primary, secondary, and tertiary levels).

3. Improve healthcare access for vulnerable populations by linking SMCs to local healthcare system

SMCs would act as both prevention tools and complements to the local healthcare system, alleviating its current and future burdens. The initiative aims to facilitate the creation of SMCs in the NEW region and democratize access to health-promoting sports facilities while fostering healthier, more resilient communities.

Partner search: structures which could implement the project and a University lab to collect and analyze our data.

Priority 5 - SO 4.6 Enhancing the role of culture and sustainable tourism in economic development, social inclusion and social innovation  
Lead partner: LRE Foundation (NL) | Contact person: Rémi Praud (r.praud[at]liberationroute.com) 

Building upon the already approved and running small-scale project “REFOOT” (Link), “Liberation Route Europe” (LRE) wants to strengthen sustainable tourism by expanding the Liberation Route Europe" (Link) across multiple countries and linking historically significant WWII sites. The project aims to promote cultural memory transmission and improving access to cultural heritage for diverse audiences. 

Effectively, the project will create new tourism routes and enhanced digital tools, greater international awareness of the region's historical significance to support regional economies. It will further deliver capacity-building programmes for stakeholders to enhance knowledge and implementation of sustainable tourism practices and digital transformation, with joint creation of strategies and action plans to implement these.

We are looking for German partners from the following sectors: tourism boards, regions & provinces, museums & history/remembrance associations, research institutions & universities, municipalities, SMEs and foundations.

Priority 5 - SO 4.6:Enhancing the role of culture and sustainable tourism in economic development, social inclusion and social innovation 
Lead Partner: Province of Antwerp – Tourist Department (BE) I Contacts: Liesbet De Wit (Liesbet.dewit[a]provincieantwerpen.be); Eva Geentjens (Eva.geentjens[a]provincieantwerpen.be) 

Vulnerable groups (people with disabilities, people from migrant backgrounds, and people with limited budgets) are often excluded from tourist activities in rural areas due to limited transportation options. 

Public transport in our green regions is inadequate because it is sometimes unusable (e.g., not suitable for large luggage), unavailable (no regular connections and/or no stop nearby), unaffordable (for people with limited budgets), unknown (the information about transport options does not reach the target groups), unclear (no centralized, simple, and clear information about options and prices), or even unreliable (e.g., wheelchair users, even with prior reservation, cannot always be certain they will reach their destination). Alternative transport options (e.g., car-sharing, taxis, bikes) are often not available or simply unknown to these vulnerable groups.  With this project, we aim to increase and share knowledge about functional mobility poverty for vulnerable groups when they wish to go on vacation or day trips in rural areas. We want to learn how other regions have successfully or unsuccessfully addressed this issue. Based on this knowledge, we will set up a pilot project in each participating region to improve access to selected tourist destinations for one of the three target groups. 

As a result, the basic knowledge about functional mobility poverty for vulnerable groups will increase among project partners and within the tourism sector, raising awareness in the sector. In addition, accessibility to tourist destinations in our green regions will improve for at least one of the three target groups, and a ripple effect can often be expected. Information about transport options will also improve for these groups. Finally, we will promote sustainable transport solutions for people without cars, enhancing opportunities for vulnerable groups to participate in tourism, thus reducing their social exclusion. 

Approach

The selection of destinations for pilot projects based on a set of criteria (f.i. small vs. large scale, day trips vs. overnight stays, private vs. public) established by the consortium 

• Phase 1: Investigating the exact nature of mobility poverty in the three target groups
• Phase 2: Mapping existing pilot projects and SWOT analysis
• Phase 3: Setting up targeted pilot projects per participating region
• Marketing campaign(s) focused on and tailored to target groups 

Projektskizze

Priority 5 - SO 4.6: Enhancing the role of culture and sustainable tourism in economic development, social inclusion and social innovation 
Lead Partner: Toerisme Vlaanderen (BE) I Contact person: Inge Defour (inge.defour[at]westtoer.be)

The traditional tourism model falls short in many ways. It often has a one-sided priority on visitor numbers and economic benefit. As a result, it has little sustainability, leads to mass tourism, environmental pollution and puts high pressure on the local living system, as well as on natural and cultural heritage. Tourism destination management organisations (DMOs) are aware of this, but have great difficulty putting regenerative and sustainable tourism and the upcoming, new regulations around this (proactively) into practice (‘Tourism transition pathway’ of EU, upcoming Green Deal regulations, ...).  Efforts already made are fragmented and not aligned at European level. To address these challenges and revitalise destinations, the project ReSTART introduces a new definition of success for liveable and resilient destinations. It is guided by the principles of sustainability and regenerative tourism: the place is central, it benefits residents, visitors and entrepreneurs, there is care for heritage and nature, unnecessary environmental impact is avoided, it generates local income and promotes stakeholder empowerment. The project focusses on the implementation of a transition strategy which involves action plans and indicators to develop, promote and monitor a positive impact of tourism in destinations. Pilots test the new approaches and are guided in the improvement of their impact at the same time, lessons learned are spread by capacity building throughout the NWE area and beyond. 

General objective: 

ReSTART unlocks the tourism potential in rural and peri-urban areas in NWE by stimulating regenerative tourism (tourism that gives back more to people and places than it takes). In this way also reducing the pressure of tourism on urban and coastal regions. Implementation of a NWE regenerative tourism strategy (including action plan and measurement indicators),  pilot showcasing and capacity building in stakeholder networks facilitates the transition of the tourist industry in an environmentally, economically and socially responsible manner with positive impact. 

Partner search in Germany: We are looking for a national or regional touristic or economic development agency  and at local level for (a conglomerate of) cities and/or villages or destination management organisations or interest groups for the implementation of a pilot.

Project Description (PDF)

Priority 5 - SO 4.6: Enhancing the role of culture and sustainable tourism in economic development, social inclusion and social innovation
Lead Partner: SMMMILE (FR) | Contact: Vincent Langlade (vincefueg[at]gmail.com)

“Fluctuations” aims to develop an innovative itinerary festival along rivers of the NWE area to reach inner peripheries and underprivileged areas. Pilot events will take place in targeted territories by testing eco-friendly solutions.

This project is searching for the following partners:

• transnational or country based network of cultural actors with focus on music
• local or regional authorities

Projektskizze

Priority 5 - SO 4.6: Enhancing the role of culture and sustainable tourism in economic development, social inclusion and social innovation
Lead Partner: City of Roubaix (FR) | Contact: Anke Möllers (amollers[at]ville-roubaix.fr)

Project title : Slow Tourism - Unlocking Heritage Opportunities: Slow Tourism for All / Promoting Accessible Tourism for Heritage

The project seeks to unlock the tourism potential of disadvantaged urban areas by adopting sustainable/slow tourism strategies.

A number of cities in the NWE region have a rich industrial history but also experienced an important economic decline in the last century. The legacy of this industry is deeply embedded in the fabric (DNA) of these cities, yet many of their neighbourhoods and/or heritage sites suffer from the past and  remain underutilized or neglected. Despite offering significant tourism potential, these sites or neighbourhoods often struggle to attract visitors. Furthermore, many of these locations are situated in disadvantaged urban areas that are not typically seen as tourist-friendly. Local inhabitants are also often unaware of the cultural and historical value of their city and have no connection anymore to the rich industrial history.

This project is searching for the following partners based in Germany, Netherlands, Ireland or Luxemburg:

• small-/medium-sized cities with industrial heritage (preferable in textile industry)

• research organisations on heritage

• sustainable/slow tourism, regional or local sectoral agencies/NGOs