Τhe second Community of Practice Meeting of Interreg-RISTOR held on 5 September in Demati, East Zagori, focused on the region’s needs, opportunities for collaboration, and the role that the Rural Innovation Center for Sustainable and Inclusive Tourism in Demati village can play for the region and its community.
The meeting was a continuation of the participatory process that began in May, with the goal of incorporating the local community’s needs and suggestions into the Center’s planning and operations.
More than 20 people from the wider area shared ideas and activities they would like to develop once the Center is up and running, such as creating an information and support center, a hub for collaboration and networking, hosting events and developing environmental education programs.
The discussion highlighted the need for better collaboration and networking, easier access to information and guidance, as well as the development of more and more comprehensive tourism experiences that connect nature, culture, local production, and daily village life. At the same time, the need to better promote and highlight the unique identity of Eastern Zagori was noted.
Cross-border cooperation was a separate segment of the meeting. The discussion focused on Korçë in Albania, the similarities and complementarities between the two regions, existing or potential tourism links, and opportunities for developing partnerships around services, products, knowledge exchange, and the strengthening of local ecosystems.
The RISTOR Incubation Program on Sustainable Tourism was also presented—a free, six-month program aimed at professionals, existing businesses, young or aspiring entrepreneurs, producers, cultural professionals, and members of the local community who wish to develop or improve products, services, and experiences. Through workshops, personalized mentoring, business meetings, and networking events, participants will work on their ideas and, by the end of the program, will have developed a basic business
Participation is free, and you can still apply: https://forms.gle/iTEhXJGWXrQt6MDo8
The project is co-funded by the European Union and national funds from Greece and Albania through the Interreg (VI-A) IPA cross-border cooperation programme “Greece-Albania 2021–2027”.