Project summary
The VERNE project is committed to fostering the widespread adoption of systemic circular solutions for sustainable tourism, integrating economic, social, and environmental dimensions to drive real-world impact. VERNE will establish a comprehensive approach to assessing sustainability costs and benefits, developing tailored circular solutions, deploying digital tools, fostering community engagement, and scaling best practices across Europe.
At the heart of VERNE’s mission is its One-Stop-Shop for Sustainable Tourism, a centralised virtual hub designed to serve as a single-entry point for best practices, innovative solutions, and success stories in circular tourism. This platform will consolidate the knowledge, tools, and methodologies from VERNE’s extensive research and pilot demonstrations, providing a practical guide for stakeholders looking to implement sustainable tourism strategies.
Expected outcomes
The One-Stop-Shop will strategically link to existing European initiatives such as the Circular Cities and Regions Initiative and the Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform and position itself as a key driver for knowledge sharing, innovation, and replication in the future. The One-Stop-Shop will serve as a Knowledge Nexus, bringing together methodologies, guidelines, policy recommendations, digital tools, and best practices at local, national, and European levels. Secondly, it serves as an Innovation Showcase, highlighting cutting-edge solutions and emerging trends in sustainable tourism, inspiring continuous advancements in the sector. Lastly, it is a Replication Catalyst, transforming complex data into practical and accessible knowledge that enables tourism destinations to replicate and scale sustainable initiatives.
The role of alchemia-nova
Through extensive research and integrating insights from five European pilot demonstrations – which cover key tourism services such as hospitality, transportation, cultural attractions, and nature-based activities, alchemia-nova will provide a tested and validated roadmap for sustainable tourism transformation. With a focus on energy efficiency, water and waste management, mobility, digital solutions, and food waste reduction, the platform ensures that circular strategies are both actionable and adaptable. The VERNE One-Stop-Shop will stand as an essential tool for stakeholders across Europe who are eager to drive sustainability within the tourism industry.
Partners
Project Coordinator:
PNO INNOVATION SL
Partnership Consortium:
CETT Barcelona School of Tourism, Hospitality and Gastronomy
Faculty of Social Sciences | Lund University
ITC – Innovation Technology Cluster
The University of Southern Denmark (SDU)
The Collaborating Centre on Sustainable Consumption and Production (CSCP)
Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke)
APRE – Agency for the Promotion of European Research, IT
Atlantic Technological University (ATU)
Project status:
Start date: 1 November 2024 | End date: 31 Oktober 2027
Topic: HORIZON-CL6-2024-CircBio-01-4 – Systemic circular solutions for a sustainable tourism
Funding Scheme: HORIZON-IA (HORIZON Innovation Actions)
Grant Agreement Number: 101181941
Overall costs: € 5 332 978,75
EU contribution: € 4 985 111,13
