Distinguished colleagues! I am Georgios, I am from Greece and I am volunteering from Athens for the Interreg Euro-MED “Dialogue4Tourism” project.
For the past three months I have been an IVY project Partner at European Public Law Organization (EPLO) where I was cordially received. There is so much I am eager to discuss and share with the other volunteers.
Dialogue4Tourism aims to increase the coordination and institutional level capacity of public authorities, multi-level bodies, programmes, strategies and initiatives in the Euro-MED, aiming to make tourism greener, smarter and more resilient. It achieves this by embracing the quad mission approach: circularity of tourism services, environmental neutrality, sustainable ecosystem services and cultural and natural resource conservation.Dialogue for Tourism brings together 9 Project partners and 24 associated partners and collaborate closely with the Community for Tourism Project, the JS and the other Program Missions.
Dialogue4Tourism establishes cooperation and advocacy mechanisms such as: Driving Tourism Transition Panel and Hub, Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories deriving from BESTMED, the cross-synergies alliance and the Tourism Leaders Summit. Sustainable Tourism Policy Labs (STPLs) will be organized. A robust advocacy strategy will be deployed in order to bring Mediterranean Tourism in the top of the policy-leaders agendas. Contribution to high-level and high profile events is ensured.
My host organization is committed in promoting the green and digital transition of tourism and mainstreaming circular economy practices in all sectors, contributing to the EU Green Deal. Dialogue4Tourism advocates for sustainable tourism policies, builds stakeholder capacities through training, coordinates knowledge exchange, hosts Sustainable Tourism Policy Labs, engages in high-level advocacy, and monitors project effectiveness thus driving sustainable tourism in the Mediterranean region.
My IVY Volunteering experience collaboration in Dialogue 4 Tourism project has been highly rewarding, allowing me to acquire numerous skills within a relatively short period. I have gained substantial knowledge of the complex procedures essential for establishing territorial cooperation, which has underscored its significance and necessity for every European /Mediterranean citizen. Furthermore, my communication and collaboration skills have markedly improved, and I have gained unique experiences that will undoubtedly be beneficial in my future endeavors. Still looking forward for the other half of this great journey.
– George, IVY Project Partner for the Interreg Euro-Med project Dialogue 4 Tourism at European Public Law organization (EPLO)
