Green skills for future Tourism

<< Background >>IFOM applied for this project because we recognized the urgent challenges facing the tourism sector, as highlighted by the EU Parliament and institutions. The COVID-19 pandemic had significantly impacted tourism, leading to a drastic reduction in activities and putting millions of jobs at risk. Addressing these challenges requires a strategic investment in skills and innovation, particularly in transitioning towards sustainability. However, there's a clear gap in readiness among workers and CVET providers, hindering the green transition outlined in the EU Green Deal. By expanding CVET courses, enhancing professionalization in sustainable tourism, and improving digital competence, G4T aimed to address the lack of green skills and awareness among workers. Additionally, targeting NEETs and unemployed individuals, G4T aimed to address the lack of awareness about green opportunities and motivate enrollment in CVET programs to build confidence and skills for sustainable employment in the tourism sector.<< Objectives >>The objectives of implementing the project were multifaceted:-Develop green skills among the target group.-Facilitate the initiation of sustainable tourism businesses by the target group.-Raise awareness about opportunities in sustainable tourism.-Increase access to tailored CVET learning opportunities.-Foster cross-border cooperation between CVET organizations and sustainable tourism businesses.-Create a flexible modular curriculum and blended CVET course tailored for the target group.-Pilot a transnational course with NEET and unemployed individuals.-Enhance flexibility and recognition through mini-badge for each curriculum module.-Boost curriculum recognition through the issuance of a dedicated certificate.-Enhance reusability and effectiveness through a trainer’s manual for digital and gamification pedagogy.-Facilitate knowledge exchange and best practice sharing through an online conference on digital and gamification pedagogy for CVET.-Promote international cooperation over a two-year period to exchange sustainable tourism methodologies.<< Implementation >>In our project, G4T, we implemented various activities structured into four Work Packages to ensure alignment with identified needs and achievement of objectives.-Project Management (WP1): This involved overseeing the smooth delivery of G4T activities. Internal meetings, financial management, and systematic monitoring and evaluation were conducted to facilitate project progress.-Preparation (WP2): Activities focused on raising awareness about sustainable tourism opportunities under the EU Green Deal and Strategy on Sustainable Tourism. An Awareness Campaign, comprising online and offline events across all countries, was organized. Additionally, an Online conference on digital and gamification pedagogy for CVET was held to discuss innovative training approaches.-Project Results Development and Testing (WP3): This phase encompassed the development and testing of project deliverables. We created a flexible and modular G4T CVET curriculum on green skills for sustainable tourism, along with a blended and gamified CVET course. Translations were provided in 7 languages. A Pilot Test of the course was conducted, gathering feedback on accessibility and usability from learners and trainers across participating countries.-Dissemination and Follow-up (WP4): We utilized online and offline media to promote and share G4T activities and results. Dissemination efforts included stakeholder meetings, online campaigns, and the establishment of a G4T Community of Practice. Additionally, six Multiplier Events were organized in each country to enhance visibility and future utilization of project outcomes. << Results >>The concrete outputs and results of our project, G4T, include:-A flexible and modular curriculum available in 7 languages, comprising 13 modules on sustainable tourism. This includes modules on job research and self-employment in the tourism sector through entrepreneurship.-Development of a blended and gamified CVET course, with teaching materials translated into 6 languages.-Creation of a trainers’ manual focusing on gamification and digital pedagogy for CVET trainers.-Design of a template for the course certificate.-Production of 13 graphic badges representing mini-competencies acquired through the modules.-A project website was established to showcase progress and results-Establishment of an international and cross-sectoral Community of Practice, facilitating discussion and exchange of methodologies and best practices in sustainable tourism.-Provision of a visibility package, including logos and templates for dissemination of project activities and results.