Agro-Tourist Itinerary to Sustainable Change

“Agro-Tourist Itinerary to Sustainable Change” (ATISC) aims at enhancing Agro-Tourism as a driver of youth employability, social solidarity and environmental sustainability in disadvantaged rural communities in Europe and the Western Balkans by means of strengthening the base of competences and networking of youth NGOs and operators, youngsters and local stakeholders in the field of sustainable Agro-Tourism solutions.Rural areas in both European and West Balkans are generally characterized by fewer opportunities for young people in socioeconomic terms. The agricultural sector, which can provide a substantial solution to mass youth unemployment, faces itself the necessity of adapting to state-of-the-art practices related to proper use of land, pesticides, water consumption, use of renewable energy resources, sustainable ratio between use of raw resources and agricultural yield as a means to reduce the social/environmental footprint on the territory and the community as well as to capitalize on emerging opportunities of product/offer diversification provided by new market niches in order to set the conditions for an expanded circuit of youth employability and direct entrepreneurial engagement.The added value of promoting/supporting the development of youth awareness and capacities in the frame of Agro-Tourism emerges from both its potential as a driver of youth employability and Agro-Tourism connection with the socially oriented dimension of environmental sustainability as a tool of youth agency in the protection of a shared local heritage within local communities.Project Objectives:- Supporting empowerment, employability and social inclusion of youngsters in rural areas by means of enhancing the role and effectiveness of youth organizations in promoting youth engagement in sustainable Agro-Tourism;- Enhancing the professional development and operational effectiveness of youth operators working in rural areas;-Developing a cluster of tested knowledge, best practices and NFE tools of youth education to Agro-Business based on a complementary synergy of country and region specific experience, sensibilities and approaches;- Promoting principles and practices of environmental respect and sustainability across Europe, the Western Balkans and other regions of the World.- Raising awareness about the issues of environmental sustainability as a key determinant of youth employability and participation as well as long-term viability of rural communities and national societies in both Europe and the Western Balkans.- Contrasting the negative spill-overs of regional imbalances on youth employability and social integration in rural areas through sustainable Agro-Tourism.- Fostering financial sustainability of youth Agro-Tourism businesses through establishing support mechanisms for the identification of customized funding solutions participated by potential youth entrepreneurs and stakeholders.- Establishing a long-term NGO network in the field.