Erasmus+ project

Improving baseline knowledge among tourism stakeholders in Protected Nature Areas for more sustainable tourism in Nordic – Baltic region (KnowNature)

Project number: 2022-1-EE01-KA220-ADU-000089688

Project name: Improving baseline knowledge among tourism stakeholders in Protected Nature Areas for more sustainable tourism in Nordic – Baltic region (KnowNature)

Project Objective: To develop a training program on the values of protected areas and principles of sustainability for training tourism entrepreneurs operating within and near protected areas, with a focus on the Nordic and Baltic countries.

Project Background: A large number of protected areas and their managing organizations are members of the EUROPARC Federation – the largest network of protected areas in Europe. One of the most effective tools developed by the EUROPARC Federation is the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism in Protected Areas, internationally recognized as a model for sustainable tourism. All protected areas involved in this project have been awarded this sustainable tourism certification.
Although the EUROPARC Federation and its members have made significant efforts within the Charter network to promote a common approach across all aspects of sustainable tourism, these activities are often carried out individually at the local or national level. Bringing together stakeholders and their knowledge and experiences, and creating a tailored knowledge base and a shared future plan, will significantly contribute to achieving sustainability goals.

Project outcomes: A training program on the values of protected areas, sustainability topics within protected areas, and examples of good practices. The developed training programs, tailored for different target groups of tourism service providers (accommodation, catering, activity centers, outdoor activities, and guides), will be freely available online.

Project Duration: 01.02.2023-28.02.2025

Project Budget: 250 000 €

Project Funder: ERASMUS+ program

Partners: Estonian University of Life Sciences (lead partner), Environmental Board of Estonia, Estonian Rural Tourism Organization, Nature Conservation Agency of Latvia, Latvian Rural Tourism Association, and the County Administrative Board of Skåne, Sweden.