Due to the incessant growth of big cities, rural areas have been increasingly affected by the exodus of the youngest groups of the population who, understanding big cities as centres of new opportunities, have decided to emigrate looking for prosperity. Europeans live in urban areas; specifically, 40% of Europeans in cities and 32% in suburbs and towns, whereas only 28% live in rural regions. It is for this reason that TouriCulture project seeks to bring back hope for new business opportunities in rural areas that will allow entrepreneurs not only to individual benefit but also to regenerate these areas.
The main objectives of the project are:
- Foster VET education.
- Empower VET trainers that assist low-skilled adults, entrepreneurs, migrants in partner countries to become successful entrepreneurs with a focus on tourism.
- Develop the capacity of adult trainers and teachers and VET supporting organisations in entrepreneurship regarding cultural and rural tourism.
- Encourage entrepreneurs in the creation of new cultural and rural tourism businesses. Considering the extent of the needs to be covered by this project, the objectives to be achieved with TouriCulture are divided into two groups. On the one hand, the objectives focused on the training of both educators and learners, and on the other hand, the practical application of the knowledge achieved.
- Enhance the possibility for migrants to become entrepreneurs.
- Raise awareness among educators and learners of the importance of promoting traditional rural cultures. This objective does not focus exclusively on the importance of traditions, but rather on raising awareness of the importance of keeping them intact and ensuring that ruraland cultural tourism models do not disrupt their authenticity.
- To create a network of professional entrepreneurs trained in rural and cultural tourism where they can share new businesses and future proposals.
Target groups:
Direct:
All VET trainers with a special interest in rural areas will be trained to develop their skills and abilities through methodology guidelines. In addition to trainers, VET centres are also direct targets, considering that they may be
interested in adapting existing training courses to courses focused on entrepreneurship in the tourism and culture sector. In the same way, direct targets are also entrepreneurship schools or universities where vocational training courses are offered. Finally, associations or non-governmental organisations whose main objective is the promotion of entrepreneurship as a means for the integration into the labour market of people in vulnerable situations.
Indirect:
All learners who will be trained in entrepreneurship in the cultural and rural tourism sector. Within this second group it can be found, on the one hand, those entrepreneurs interested in creating new business models combining tourism and culture, as well as those interested in entrepreneurship for the first time. TouriCulture is developed in an inclusive and diverse environment, which is why it seeks inclusion in this programme of people in a difficult situation for entrepreneurship, such as migrants, young local people or women entrepreneurs. In addition to entrepreneurs, indirect targets include NGOs that measure the environmental and cultural impact of tourism in rural area.
Project management
TouriCulture Mentor Booklet: Empowering VET Trainers & Entrepreneurs in Rural tourism and culture”
TouriCulture Tales through Storytelling” and “TouriCulture Labs”
TouriCulture Hub