InCircle modular project from InterregMed program will build up on previous projects, capitalizing knowledge and available tools to test a new methodology that will apply the principles of circular economy to the tourism sector, with a focus on the peculiar needs of islands and low-density areas.

Natural resources in vulnerable Mediterranean tourist territories, such as islands and scarcely inhabited areas, are at stake. The carrying capacity of such MED destinations is often counterpoising interests of tourist stakeholders and local communities. A joint response and a shared methodological framework to policy making are required in tackled territories, to seize the sustainability challenge, especially in terms of an improved and integrated sustainable tourism planning to preserve and valorize non-renewable resources.

INCIRCLE will build up on previous projects, capitalizing knowledge and available tools to test a new methodology that will apply the principles of circular economy to the tourism sector, with a focus on the peculiar needs of islands and low-density areas. INCIRCLE tailored policies will address mobility, energy efficiency, use of limited resources as water and waste production, while enhancing community prosperity and quality of life.

Durable and easily adaptable outputs are envisaged to provide MED decision makers with concrete tools and testing opportunities to improve their capacity in terms of assessing and planning sustainability in territories where resources are already scarce. Capitalization activities will replicate activities in further territories and mainstream results in regional, national and European policies.

General Objective

To adopt the principles of circular economy in tourism policies in islands, coastal, maritime and low-density Mediterranean zones

Specific Objectives

• To foster the development of regional policies and joint regional strategic measures
• To increase the number of policies on sustainable tourism, leading naturally vulnerable MED areas to undertake strategies and plans based on CE principle
• To provide intensive transnational knowledge exchange among policy-makers, tourism stakeholders and circular economy experts.
• To increase the number of insular and remote MED destinations benefitting of an evaluation tool able to measure and assess the level of sustainability

For more information visit the project website: https://incircle.interreg-med.eu/