TowardsExcellenceinTowardsExcellenceinCulturalTourismCulturalTourismNetworkNetwork

SandanskiMunicipality

With the support of the Europe for Citizens Programme of the European Union

March2014Newsletter#3

What’sinside:

TheTowardsExcellenceofCulturalTourismNetworkTheTowardsExcellenceofCulturalTourismNetworkASharedVisionofCulturalEuropeASharedVisionofCulturalEurope

TheNetworkhasbeenestablishedwithintheframeworkofthe“TowardsExcellenceinCulturalTourism”project, co­fundedby theEurope forCitizensProgrammeof theEuropean Union,Action 1 ­ Active Citizens for Europe, Measure 1.2. Networks ofTwinnedTowns.TheprojectaimsatfosteringcooperationatEuropeanlevelbetweenmunicipalitiesonthe theme of intangible cultural heritage preservation and valorization throughculturaltourism.TheMunicipalityofSandanskiisthecoordinatoroftheinternationalinitiative and the partners are Harryda Municipality, Sweden; Local GovernmentAssociation, Malta; Sociedad de Desarrollo de Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain;MunicipalityofSepino,Italy,andMunicipalityofAgia,Greece.

Our aim is to jointly raise each localcommunity'scapacitytoaddresstheneedsofthefastgrowingculturaltourismsectoranddevelopadequatestrategiesandproductstopromote andmakeuse of our tangible andintangible heritage for tourism. For ourtowns the traditions, folk arts and craftsrepresent important resources from socialandculturalperspectiveandtakingcommonactionfortheirvalorizationandcontinuationis important for achieving inclusive andsustainable growth both of the localcommunitiesandtheEUasawhole.The international projectwill get together the public authorities,citizens,youth,seniors,artistsandsmallandmediumbusinesses,NGOs, cultural and tourism organizations from the six European

states,partners intheproject.Sixdifferentthematiceventswillbeorganizedduring the lifetime of the project , with focus on active aging andintergenerationallearning,valorizationandcontinuationoftraditionalculture;

fostering transfer of knowledge and know­how among generations;traditionalcultureandentrepreneurship.

The Towards Excellence inCultural Tourism project is co­fundedbytheEuropeforCitizensProgramme 2007­2013 of theEuropeanUnion,Action1­ActiveCitizensforEurope,Measure1.2.Networks of twinnedtowns.

TheTECTNetworkStructureandObjectives

***

TheTECTWorkshopinTenerife,Spain

***TheCulturalTourism

andActiveAgeingForum

inAgia,Greece***

EuropeforCitizensProgramme2007­2013

***

Inthespotlight:TheLocal

GovernmentAssociation,MaltahoststheCultural

TourismFair***

With the support of the Europe for Citizens Programme of the European Union

TheTECTTheTECTWorkshopinSpainWorkshopinSpain

The international workshop held in Santa Cruz de Tenerife in theperiod26–28thMarch2014broughttogetherexpertsinthe�ieldsofcultureandtourismdevelopment,NGOsandbusinessrepresentativesfromBulgaria,Greece,Italy,Malta,andSweden.Duringthethree­dayworkshop, participants took part in technical visits, conferences,lectures, and meetings with cultural and tourist agents and localinstitutions in order to exchange experiences and conceptualizecommonstrategiesandmeasuresforthedevelopmentoftheirculturaltourism offer. Florentino Guzman Plasencia. He outlined that theprojectaimstoincreasetheabilityofthemunicipalitiestomeettheneeds of the rapid growth of cultural tourism and to developappropriate strategies and products to promote in the future.AlongwithFlorentinoGuzmanPlasencia,intheworkshopparticipatedthe manager of OAC, Jerome Cabrera, and the of�icial chronicler ofSantaCruzdeTenerife,LuisCola.Inaddition,the�ifthVicePresidentandMinisterofEmploymentandEconomicDevelopmentCouncilofTenerife, Efraın Medina, and the Minister ofMuseums and Centres,Amaya Conde, were part of the delegation who presented to theinternationalparticipantsthemanagementmodelofSantaCruz’.

TheTECTNetworkmembersdiscussed thechallenges in the �ieldsofculture,tourismandSMEsdevelopmentonlocal,nationalandEuropeanlevel, shared the policies, addressing these challenges and identi�iedmeasuresforjointactionsintherelevant�ields.Themeasuresagreedwere incorporated into the strategic priorities of the Network andp u b l i shed fo r c om m en t s a n d su g g es t i on s f rom c i t i z en s .The main cultural tourism sites were presented to the internationalparticipants, including: the Guimera, Tenerife Arts Space (TEA), theMuseumofNatureandManTheatre,CastillodeSanJuanandPowderHouse, the Church of San Francisco, the Museum of Fine Arts.The workshop was completed with a conference open to the public,involvingtheEuropeanpartners,touroperatorsandrepresentativesofvarious organizations and institutions. The conference included

presentationsanddiscussionsonthefollowingtopics: Dr.EduardoParraInstituteofPoliticalandSocialScienceLaLagunaUniversity,“"Canarias2020: new tourism paradigms”; Business Association “Zona Centro”;Dna.AidaCedres,Directorof theProductEngineeringDepartmentofTurismo de Tenerife (Tourism development corporation of Tenerife);"ChallengesandPolicyoftheEuropeanUnion."IlinaYakovaMunicipalityof Sandanski, Bulgaria; Mr Julian Zarb, lecturer at the University ofMalta­InstituteforTourismandCultureandrepresentativemanagerofaNGOofsustainabletourism.“Theimportanceofconsideringcommunitybased tourism and local tourism planning for localities on islands”.UNESCO.pdf

With the support of the Europe for Citizens Programme of the European Union

Culture,TourismandCulture,TourismandSMEDevelopmentintheEUSMEDevelopmentintheEU

Whyworthinvestingintourism?

TourismisaneconomicactivitycapableofgeneratinggrowthandemploymentintheEU TourismrepresentsthethirdlargestsocioeconomicactivityintheEUafterthetradeanddistribution

andconstructionsectors(Europeantourismindustrygeneratesover10%ofEUGDPandprovidesapproximately12%ofalljobs)

TheEUremainstheworld'sNo1touristdestination,witharound40%oftouristarrivalsaroundtheworldduetoits:

culturalandhistoricalheritage naturalassets diversityofsceneries qualityservices

goodconnectivity

Whyculturaltourism?

Culturaltourismisadesirablemarketasitishigh­spendingtourism,undertakenbyhighlyeducatedindividualswhostimulateculturalactivityinthedestination.

Localresidentsappreciatethebene�itsofculturaltourism,suchasincreasedlocalincomesandsupportforlocalculturalinstitutions.

The growth of cultural tourism demand has stimulated the development of many new culturalattractionsandculturaltourismmarketingstrategies,asdifferentcountriesandregionscompeteforashareofthismarket.Forexample,itisestimatedthatthenumberofmuseumsinSpainhasincreasedby100%overthepast20years.

ChallengesinEurope

preserving natural and cultural resources

limiting negative impacts at tourist destinations, including use of natural resources and waste

production

promoting the wellbeing of the local community

reducing the seasonality of demand

limiting the environmental impact of tourism related transport

making tourism accessible to all

improving the quality of tourism jobs.

Ouraimsandobjectves

***

With the support of the Europe for Citizens Programme of the European Union

EUActionFrameworkEUActionFrameworkToMeetTheChallengesToMeetTheChallenges

StimulatecompetitivenessintheEuropeantourismsector

Promoting diversi�ication of the supply of tourist services – thematic products; transnationalsynergies

Developinginnovationinthetourismindustry­accessofSMEstotherelevant�inancialinstruments Improvingprofessionalskills–training,mobilityofworkers Encouraginganextensionofthetouristseason–throughvoluntarytourismexchangemechanism

(lowincometravelers)andvoluntaryonlineinformationexchangemechanism(schools) Consolidatingthesocioeconomicknowledgebasefortourism–researchandmonitoringof

consumersatisfactionandneeds

Promotethedevelopmentofsustainable,responsibleandhighqualitytourism

Developasystemofindicatorsforsustainablemanagementofdestinations Developalabelforpromotingtouristdestinations. Organiseawareness­raisingcampaignsforEuropeantourists DevelopaEuropean'QualiteTourisme'brandtoincreaseconsumersecurityandcon�idenceintourism

products Facilitateidenti�icationofriskslinkedtoclimatechangetoavoidloss­makinginvestments,andexplore

opportunitiesfordevelopingalternativetourismservices. ProposeacharterforsustainableandresponsibletourismandestablishaEuropeanprizefortourism. Proposeastrategyforsustainablecoastalandmarinetourism. EstablishorstrengthencooperationbetweentheEUandthemainemergingcountries

Consolidatetheimageandpro�ileofEuropeasacollectionofsustainableandhigh-qualitytouristdestinations

Createatrue'Europebrand'incooperationwiththeMemberStatestocomplementpromotionaleffortsatnationalandregionallevelandenableEuropeandestinationstodistinguishthemselvesfromotherinternationaldestinations.

Promotethevisiteurope.comwebsiteinordertoincreasetheattractivenessofEuropeasacollectionofsustainableandhigh­qualitytouristdestinations

Encourage jointpromotionalactionsatmajor internationaleventsor large­scale tourismfairsandexhibitions.

StrengthenEuropeanUnionparticipationininternationalbodies,particularlywithinthecontextoftheWTO,theOECD,T20andEuro­Med.

Ouraimsandobjectves

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With the support of the Europe for Citizens Programme of the European Union

TheCulturalTourismandTheCulturalTourismandActiveAgeingForuminGreeceActiveAgeingForuminGreece

The3rdmeetingoftheTECTNetworkwasheldinthemunicipalityofAgia, Greece, 4­6 June 2014 on the theme of 'Cultural Tourism andActive Ageing ". The main purpose of the forum was to exchangeexperiences and best practices for both the development of newmethodsforthesocialinclusionofolderpeopleandtheirparticipationin thedevelopmentof cultural tourism,andsolidarityanddialoguebetweengenerations,aswellastohelpseniorsandyoungpeopletolearn from each other. The history, culture and tradition of theMunicipalityofAgiaandpractices inthe �ieldofcultural tourisminrelation to active aging, European policies for active aging andeconomic growth, alternative strategies for the sustainabledevelopmentoftourism,tourismbasedonlocalcommunitiesandtheimportanceofactivestakeholderinvolvementaresomeofthetopicsthatwerepresentedanddiscussedduringthethree­daylongforum.Themeetingbroughttogetheratotalof30internationalparticipants,representativesoftheNetworkmembers,whohadthechancetomeetand cooperate with over a hundred local participants – localauthorities, business, NGO representatives, seniors, youth, citizens,artists,artisans,culturalorganizationsandinstitutions.

Duringtheirstay,theinternationalparticipantsvisitedhistoricalsitessuchasPanteleimonMonasteryandtheCastleofVelika,andthus,gottoknow �irsthand the local cultural tourism offer, the management anddevelopmentoftheculturaltourismsitesandattractions.The�irstdayoftheforumtookplaceattheCulturalCenter"Pupa"inAgia,where the fol lowing topics were presented and discussed:"Archaeological sites and monuments. Emergence and recovery"StavroulaSdroliaArchaeologist7thByzantineAntiquities;"HistoryandTradition. Promotion through the General State Archives' CatherineSmith,HistorianGeneralStateArchives,Local�ileAgia;"Thesustainabledevelopmentofalternativeformsoftourismdestinations.'sCaseAgia"ElizabethHatzinikolaouconsultantonTourismoftheCentralUnionofMunicipalities of Greece; "The importance of the involvement ofinterestedpartiestotourismbasedonlocalcommunities"JulianZarb,LecturerInternationalTourismdevelopmentatUniversityofMalta.ThesecondandthirddaysoftheforumwereheldinAgiokampohotelGoldenBeach where the topics covered during the forum included: CulturalTourism and Active Aging: Intergenerational Dialogue and CulturalTourismandActiveAgeing:socialintegrationofseniors.

With the support of the Europe for Citizens Programme of the European Union

ActiveAgeing,SolidarityActiveAgeing,SolidaritybetweenGenerationsandbetweenGenerationsandEconomicDevelopmentintheEUEconomicDevelopmentintheEU

ActiveAgeingandSolidaritybetweenGenerationsConcept

Helppeopletostayatworklongerandencouragethemnottoretiretooearly; Combatsocialexclusionamongseniorpeoplebyencouragingthemtoparticipateactivelyintheir

communitiesatlocalandregionallevelandtoengageinactivecitizenshipinitiativesatthenationalandEuropeanlevel;

Preventdependency

ChallengesinEuropeassociatedwithpopulationageing

Thechallengeistomakethemostoftheenormouspotentialthatweharbourevenatamoreadvancedage. Employment–aslifeexpectancyincreasesacrossEurope,pensionagesarerising,butmanyfearthat

theywillnotbeabletostayintheircurrentjobsorto�indanotherjobuntiltheycanretireonadecentpension.

Participationinsociety–retiringfromone'sjobdoesnotmeanbecomingidle.Thecontributionofolderpeopletosocietyascarersforothers,typicallytheirownparentsorspousesandtheirgrandchildrenisoftenoverlookedandsoistheirroleasvolunteers.

Independentliving–ourhealthdeclinesaswegrowold,butalotcanbedonetocopewiththisdecline.Andquitesmallchangesinourenvironmentcanmakeabigdifferencetopeoplesufferingfromvarioushealthimpairmentsanddisabilities.

WhatcantheEUdo?

EnsureadoptionofaEuropeanDirectiveoncarer’sleavetosupportworkerswhoprovideinformalcaretodependentrelatives;

Agree concrete employment targets for older workers and support the development ofinitiativessupportingactiveageingandintergenerationalsolidarity.

GuaranteeadequateandsustainablepensionschemesinallMemberStatesandadequatehealthanddependencyinsuranceforoldermenandwomen;

Developa legal framework requiringallpublic andprivateentities toapply commonaccessibilitycriteriaandpromotea“DesignforAll”approachtoincludetheneedsofallpeopleinsociety;

Providemoresupportforhealthpromotionandpreventioninfuturepublichealthprogrammes.

Ouraimsandobjectves

***

With the support of the Europe for Citizens Programme of the European Union

ActiveAgeinginActiveAgeingintheContextofTECTNetworktheContextofTECTNetwork

Valorizationandcontinuationoftraditionalculture

Raising the awareness of the utility of traditionalcultureseniorsarecarriersof

Exchanging know­how and best practices forpreservationandcontinuationoftraditionalculture;

Integrationoftraditionalcultureintothetourismoffer– a source of funding for preservation andconservation.

Fosteringtransferofknowledgeandknow-how

betweengenerations

Youth learning from the seniors – the naturalcontinuationoftradition;

Seniorslearningfromtheyouth–innovativepracticesandnewtechnologies.

Traditionalcultureandentrepreneurship

Meetingtraditionalcultureandbusiness’; Promotingtraditionalculture,artsandcraftsbeyond

nationalborders–reachingnewmarkets; Creatingsynergies–facilitatingthegrowthofstart­

ups;

Ouraimsandobjectves

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With the support of the Europe for Citizens Programme of the European Union

TheTECTNetworkTheTECTNetworkStrategicPrioritiesStrategicPriorities

TheTowardsExcellenceinCulturalTourismNetworkhasbeenestablishedwithintheframeworkofthe “Towards Excellence in Cultural Tourism” project, co­funded by the Europe for CitizensProgrammeoftheEuropeanUnion,Action1­ActiveCitizensforEurope,Measure1.2.NetworksofTwinnedTowns. Themajorgoaloftheinitiativeisthedevelopmentandimplementationofjointcoherent strategic framework, consistingof clearlyde�ined long–termand short­termstrategicprioritiesandmeasures.DuringtheKick­offMeetinginHindas,Sweeden,therepresentativesofthe6TECTNetworktownsdraftedtheinitialversionofthedocument.Thenetworkstructure,priorities

andgoalswillbepresentedforfurtherdiscussionsandamendmentduringtheworkshopinTenerife,Spain.There,experts in therelevant sectorswill sharebestpracticesand

proposespeci�icmeasuresforthedevelopmentoftheirrelevantsectorsandthenetworkasawhole.

ShorttermPriorities

Theshort termstrategicprioritiescoverthe life timeof theTowardsExcellence inCulturalTourismproject.AsstatedintheapprovedTECTprojectproposal,theyareasfollowing:

1. TobuildastructuralnetworkoftownsaimingatdevelopingandpreservingthelocalculturalheritageinasustainablemannerascommonheritageofEuropeanpeoples;2. To organize six different events, whichwill allow local communities to participate in thebuildingoftheNetwork;3. Toprovidefortheparticipationoflocalcommunitiesinthedecision­makingprocess;4. TopromoteNetworkmembers'territoriesastourismdestinations;5. Tofosterinternational,cross­sectoralcooperation;6. Tooptimizeculturaltourismthroughtheexchangeofgoodpractices;7. TodevelopjointprojectsfortheachievementoftheobjectivesoftheNetwork;8. Toincreasecitizens'knowledgeonEuropeanpoliciesandtheopportunitiestheEUprovides;9. Toshowtheimportanceofpreservationandvalorizationofintangibleculturalheritageandtheopportunitiesitprovidesforentrepreneurship;10. TopromoteActiveAgeingandinter­generationallearning;11. to enable the youth to make new contacts, �ind potential employers, meet successfulentrepreneursandlearnfromtheirexperience;12. Tostimulatethememberstoco­operateindifferentprojects;13. Tostimulatebilateralexchangesandmutualknowledgebetweenitsmembers;

With the support of the Europe for Citizens Programme of the European Union

TheTECTNetworkTheTECTNetworkStrategicPrioritiesStrategicPriorities

LongtermStrategicpriorities

The strategy seeks to accomplish this by strengthening the connections between the differentstakeholders on local, national and European levels and by implementing joint actions in thefollowingareas:1.Enablingtheculturalheritageassetstoprovidemorecompellingvisitorexperiences,2.Increasingthevisibilityofculturaltourismassetsandproductstothetargetmarketsegments

3.Diversifyingtheofferthepartneringtownshavealreadydevelopedandencouragingthedevelopmentofnewculturaltourismproductsandattractions,therebydramaticallyexpandingthepotentialaudienceforthelocalculturalheritagetourismsegments.

1.BuildingVisibilityThis group of strategic priorities is geared to improving awareness of theNetwork members' assets among the target market segments. It includes thefollowing:A.TocreateandpromoteaJointEventsCalendarTheCalendarwouldbethemostcomprehensiveexpressionofthecoreideaoftheTECTNetwork,demonstratingthediversityofCulturalTourismofferavailableinthepartneringtowns.Actionstoundertake:- Promotionofthelocalterritoriesthrough“Signatureevents”inordertoallowthememberstoemphasizeexistingculturaleventsandreachwideraudiences.­ PromotionofCulturalandtraditionalHeritageCelebrations:thepartneringtowns'culturaldiversity provides great opportunities for its joint thematic promotion, and thus, leading todiversi�icationoftheculturalandtourismofferofthenetworkmembers.B.ToengagevisitorsthroughtheuseofICTThankstoadvancesintechnology,therearenumerousopportunitiestousedigitaltechnologytoreachtheNetwork'stargetmarketsegments.Forexample,interpretivematerialsavailabletovisitorsathistoricsitesandtrailshavetraditionallybeenprovidedthroughbrochuresandmaps.Increasinglysuchon­siteinterpretationisbeingshiftedtodigitalapplicationsavailabletothevisitorthroughtheWeborthroughtheircellphones.Actionstoundertake:- Development and enrichment of ICT based promotional and dissemination services andproducts­ CreationofthematicjointICTbasedservicesandproducts­ OrganizationofinformationandeducationcampaignstargetedatlocalcommunitiesfortheuseofICTforpromotionofbusinessandservicesC.TopromotetheNetworkthroughoutEuropeandenlargeittoatleast40municipalitiesby2020;

With the support of the Europe for Citizens Programme of the European Union

TheTECTNetworkTheTECTNetworkStrategicPrioritiesStrategicPriorities2.EnhancingexistingAssets:Theexistingculturaltourismofferandattractionscanbesigni�icantlyenhancedifitsdiverseassetsaregroupedinpackagesthatappealtodifferenttargetgroupsofculturalorientedtourists.

Actionstoundertake:EnhancingthevisitorsCulturalHeritageExperiencethroughthetargeteduseofthetangibleandintangibleculturalheritagethroughthefollowingactions:­ Linkingsimilarlythemedassets,presentinthedifferentpartnersterritories,thiswaypromoting them jointly, increasingeachpartner's tourismofferandencouragingcreativityandentrepreneurshipthroughinternationalandcross­sectoralcooperation.­ Emphasizingtheimportanceofactiveageingandintergenerationallearningthroughtheintegrationoftraditionalartsandcraftsintoalreadyexistingtourismassets.­Developingjointprojectstoteachandmaintaintraditionsandfolkoresthroughaudiovisualandpublications:thisisanimportantaspectofcommunityinvolvementandtheinculcationofacivicsenseofpridethatshouldalsoaddvaluetothehost­visitorhospitality.­ Promotionandsetupoflocalmuseumsofmemory:thesettingupoflocalmuseumssetupthroughcontributionsbythe localcommunityandmanagedbyaworkinggroup,committeeorfoundationmadeupofthelocalcommunityincludingvolunteerguidesfromthelocalcommunity.­Traditionalcostumes­encouragetheresearchintotraditionalcostumesandfolkloreaswellastangibleandintangibleheritagethroughthecommunityandtheintergenerationaldialoguesandinformalmeetingsasameansofkeepingthislivinghistoryandheritagealivewithinthatsocietyasa

patrimonyforalllocalresidentsandvisitors.­Targetingtheextendedfamilynucleusfortourism:focussingonintergenerationaldialoguebyinvolvingallthefamilyinexperiencesofmemoryandtraditionorfolklore

heritagethroughpersonalexperiences.

3.Creatingnewassets:

A.TofacilitatenetworkingandclusteringofculturalandtourismstakeholdersActionstoundertake:

-ExtendingthecollaborationamongdifferentstakeholdersintheNetworkby20%involving:­Businesspartnerships­Jointculturaltourismproducts,initiatives,campaigns­Jointpromotionalinitiatives­Jointprojectsinthe�ieldsofeducation,tourism,culture,activeageing

With the support of the Europe for Citizens Programme of the European Union

TheTECTNetworkTheTECTNetworkStrategicPrioritiesStrategicPriorities2.EnhancingexistingAssets:Theexistingculturaltourismofferandattractionscanbesigni�icantlyenhancedifitsdiverseassetsaregroupedinpackagesthatappealtodifferenttargetgroupsofculturalorientedtourists.

Actionstoundertake:EnhancingthevisitorsCulturalHeritageExperiencethroughthetargeteduseofthetangibleandintangibleculturalheritagethroughthefollowingactions:­ Linkingsimilarlythemedassets,presentinthedifferentpartnersterritories,thiswaypromoting them jointly, increasingeachpartner's tourismofferandencouragingcreativityandentrepreneurshipthroughinternationalandcross­sectoralcooperation.­ Emphasizingtheimportanceofactiveageingandintergenerationallearningthroughtheintegrationoftraditionalartsandcraftsintoalreadyexistingtourismassets.­Developingjointprojectstoteachandmaintaintraditionsandfolkoresthroughaudiovisualandpublications:thisisanimportantaspectofcommunityinvolvementandtheinculcationofacivicsenseofpridethatshouldalsoaddvaluetothehost­visitorhospitality.­ Promotionandsetupoflocalmuseumsofmemory:thesettingupoflocalmuseumssetupthroughcontributionsbythe localcommunityandmanagedbyaworkinggroup,committeeorfoundationmadeupofthelocalcommunityincludingvolunteerguidesfromthelocalcommunity.­Traditionalcostumes­encouragetheresearchintotraditionalcostumesandfolkloreaswellastangibleandintangibleheritagethroughthecommunityandtheintergenerationaldialoguesandinformalmeetingsasameansofkeepingthislivinghistoryandheritagealivewithinthatsocietyasapatrimonyforalllocalresidentsandvisitors.

­Targetingtheextendedfamilynucleusfortourism:focussingonintergenerationaldialoguebyinvolvingallthefamilyinexperiencesofmemoryandtraditionorfolkloreheritagethroughpersonalexperiences.

B.TomobilizethefullpotentialforsustainabletourismofthepartneringtownsActionstoundertake:­Developingcommonstrategiesandapproachesbasedonenvironmentalandsocialresponsibility,andbuildingonthecommitmentofvariousstakeholders­Facilitatingtheexchangeofbestpractices­Developmentofjointtourismproductsandprojectsamongthepartnerswithmajorfocusonruralareas.­ExtensivepromotionoftheNetworkwithinlocalcommunities­Organizationofcitizens'meetings­Activeinvolvementofprofessionalorganizations­Developmentofatleastonejointinitiativeannually

C.TodevelopaCulturalTourismproduct'agenda'–asetofevents,themesandconcepts–bothinternationalandregional–onwhichCulturalTourismproductscanbebuiltActionstoundertake:­Initiatingdevelopmentofashortlistofeventsand'unifyingconcepts'aroundwhichexperience­basedofferscanbebuiltandpromoted.­Stimulatingproductivecommunicationsamongmembersofthe'supplyside'ofCulturalTourismto

buildproductsconsistentwiththeneedsoftheconsumers

-Implementregular,themedmeetingswiththestakeholderstoshareinsightsandideasaroundmarketopportunitiesandtostimulatejoint productdevelopmentandmarketingcollaboration.

With the support of the Europe for Citizens Programme of the European Union

TheTECTNetworkStructureTheTECTNetworkStructure

Membership is open to all towns and/or associations of towns that willcontributetotheachievementoftheaimsandobjectivesoftheNetwork.Theparticipation in the Network is free and without charge, in a spirit ofcooperation,friendshipandcommonsharingofexperiencesandobjectives.

The Network will be managed by a Management Committee consisting of onerepresentative of each partnering institution. The duties of the ManagementCommitteearetohaveregardtotheoverallmanagementandcontroloftheNetwork,

including:-topursuetheaimsoftheNetwork;

-toorganizeandcontrolthemeetings;-tosetuptheagendafordiscussions;

-todrafttheannualprioritiesoftheNetwork;Eachmembershallberesponsiblefortheorganizationofconsultationswiththe

targetgroupsoftheTECTprojectinordertoensuretheactiveinvolvementofthelocalcommunitiesintheprocessofestablishingtheannualprioritiesoftheNetwork.Thedraftoftheannualprioritiesshallbesentinwritingtotheothermembers1monthbeforethesecondannualmeetingoftheNetwork.

Membership:Membership:

Presidency:Presidency:

Management:Management:

Meetings:Meetings:

TheNetworkshallbechairedconsecutivelybythedifferentmembersfor1yearonarotationalbasis.TheMunicipalityofSandanskiwillassumethefunctionofachairfortheperiod,coveringthedurationoftheproject.Therepresentativeofthemember–chairoftheNetworkshallassumethefunctionofaChairmanoftheManagementCommittee;TheannouncementofthenewchairoftheNetworkshalltakeplaceduringtheannualmeetingsoftheNetwork.

TheNetwork'smembersshallmeetatleasttwotimesperyear–inMayandinNovember,andatsuchothertimesasmaybedeemednecessaryinorderto:· discussthedevelopmentoftheNetwork;· sharenewpractices,newopportunities,newperspectivesoccurredaftertheendoftheproject;· discussthedevelopmentofnewpartnershipsatdifferentlevelsandindifferent�ieldsofsharedinterestinsidetheNetwork(ruraldevelopment,health,researchetc.);

With the support of the Europe for Citizens Programme of the European Union

Inthespotlight:Inthespotlight:LocalGovernmentAssociation,MaltaLocalGovernmentAssociation,MaltaHoststheCulturalTourismFairHoststheCulturalTourismFair

CulturalTourismFairMalta02-04July2014

The Local Government Associations has extensiveexperience in networking and European projectsmanagement as since 2007, the LGA had successfullyparticipated in various EU funded projects underthefollowingprogrammes:IEE,ICTPSP,MED,INTERREG,LIFE, Europefor Citizens. The Local GovernmentAssociation is established in 1994 through theissue of speci ic Regulations entitled: Local Councils(Association)Regulations, 1994. The aims of theAssociation include those ofprotecting and promotingthecommoninterestsofLocalCouncilsaswellasofferingconsultancyservices,trainingonitsowninitiativesandinconjunctionwithanyotherCouncils.Theassociationisthesinglepublicauthoritythatrepresentsall5regionsand68localcouncilsinMaltaandGozo.TheLGAenjoysahighlevelofcompetenceanditisinvolvedinthenationalpolicy development process by regular meetings withthedirector of LocalGovernment and the Ministry andotherrelevantstakeholders. .

Richhistory,uniqueattractions,spectacularentertainment.Malta’sgotitall.Fromtheoldesttemplesintheworld,tosplendidpalaces,astunningCaravaggioworkof art, intricatehandmade lacecreations and numerous state­of­the art cinemas, theMaltese Islands are the perfect mix of old and new withsomethingforalltastesandages.Andlet’snotforgetthemagni�icentviews.

BecauseofitslocationintheheartofthebeautifulMediterraneanSeaanditsstunningarchitecture,Maltahascaughttheeyeofmany�ilmdirectors,featuring in award­winning �ilms includingGladiatorandMidnightExpress.TheMalteseareamongtheoldestChristiansintheworldandyoucan�indanamazing365churcheson the islands – a very high number for such asmallspace.

With the support of the Europe for Citizens Programme of the European Union

CulturalTourismFairProgrammeMalta

Wednesday02July10.00WelcomeSpeech–JimmyMagro,LocalGovernmentAssociation;IntroductiontotheTECTprojectandtheEuropeforCitizensProgramme–IlinaYakova,Bulgaria10.30–TheculturaltourisminMalta­NadiaTheuma,UniversityofMalta10.50–CulturaltourismimpactonlocaldevelopmentandSMEs­JulianZarb,UniversityofMalta11.30–VallettaEuropeanCapitalofCulture2018­GraziellaVella,V18Foundation11.50–Promotionoflocalproducts,arts,crafts“TheMaltaArtisanMarket”­LisaGrech12.10–SMEsandlocalproducts,arts,crafts13.10–GRISI+:presentationofGPsforpromotionoflocalproductsandSMEsusingICT­LiliVasileva,LGA14.30–visitVallettaandMdina­culturalguidedtour19.20–3DmapofMalta­audioshowexplainingthehistoryoftheisland19.40–Dinnerat :traditionalMaltesefolknightincludingtraditionalIr­Razzettl­Antikfood,dancesandmusic.

Thursday03July10.00departforHagerQimandvisitoftheneolithictemple12.00–visitQormi­theMaypolebreadandpastryfactory:presentationbyMrCarmelDebono(owneroftheenterprise)anddegustationoftheproducts16.00–departforBirguandpreparationsfortheculturalfair17.00CulturalTourismFairatBirguLocalCouncil:exhibitionoftraditionalarts,craftsand products; degustation of local products; networking between representatives ofartisansfromthepartnersregions;presentationoftraditionalmusicandvideos;Knightsof

Maltaexperience-liveperformance.19.30–TraditionalBirguboatstour

Inthespotlight:Inthespotlight:LocalGovernmentAssociation,MaltaLocalGovernmentAssociation,MaltaHoststheCulturalTourismFairHoststheCulturalTourismFair

Friday04July10.00 Workshop: discussions by all participants:

- SMEs: key actors in the promotion of traditional arts, crafts, food

- SMEs: key actors in the development of the TECT network

- the network objectives and short/ long term priorities

- new funding opportunities

- upcoming events: Bulgaria and Italy

- conclusions

With the support of the Europe for Citizens Programme of the European Union

EuropeforCitizensProgrammeEuropeforCitizensProgramme2007-20132007-2013

ThemainobjectiveoftheEuropeforCitizensProgrammeistobringEuropeclosertoitscitizensandtogivethemtheopportunitytobeactiveintheconstructionofEurope.Inthiswaycitizenscangetinvolved through the programme in transnational exchanges and cooperation activities,contributingtodevelopingasenseofbelongingtocommonEuropeanidealsandencouragingthe

processofEuropeanintegration.Thisprogrammesupportsawiderangeofactivitiesandorganisations promoting active European citizenship, especially the involvement ofcitizensandcivilsocietyorganisationsintheprocessofEuropeanintegration.

Programmeobjectives:Generalobjectives: Giving citizens the opportunity to interact and participate, thus developing

citizenshipoftheEuropeanUnion; DevelopingasenseofEuropeanidentity,basedoncommonvalues,historyandculture; FosteringasenseofownershipoftheEuropeanUnionamongitscitizens; EnhancingtoleranceandmutualunderstandingbetweenEuropeancitizens; Promotingculturalandlinguisticdiversity,andinterculturaldialogue.Speci�icobjectives: Bringingtogetherpeoplefromlocalcommunities; Fosteringaction,debateandre�lection; PromotingEurope'svaluesandachievements,whilepreservingthememoryofitspast; Encouraging interaction between citizens and civil society organisations contributing to

interculturaldialogue,developingclosertiesbetweencitizens.

Theprogrammesupportsfourmaintypesofactions:Action1­ActiveCitizensforEurope:involvingcitizenseitherthroughactivitieslinkedtotown­twinningorthroughotherkindsofcitizens'projects.Action2 ­Activecivilsociety inEurope:targetedtocivilsocietyorganisationseither

throughstructuralsupportonthebasisoftheirEuropeanlevelworkprogrammeorthroughsupporttoprojects.Action3­TogetherforEurope:includinghighvisibilityevents,studiesandinformationtools.Action4­ActiveEuropeanRemembrance:supporttoprojectsaimingatpreservingthesitesandarchivesassociatedwithdedeportationsaswellasthecommemoratingofvictimsofNazismandStalinism.

Moreinformationisavailableontheof�icialsiteofEuropeforCitizensProgramme:Moreinformationisavailableontheof�icialsiteofEuropeforCitizensProgramme:http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/europe-for-citizenshttp://eacea.ec.europa.eu/europe-for-citizens

With the support of the Europe for Citizens Programme of the European Union

ContactInformation:ContactInformation:

MunicipalityofSandanskiMunicipalityofSandanskiSvobodaBoulevard14SvobodaBoulevard142800,Sandanski,Bulgaria2800,Sandanski,Bulgariatel:00359/74689070tel:00359/74689070e­mail:oba_sandanki@abv.bge­mail:oba_sandanki@abv.bg

LocalCouncils’LocalCouncils’AssociationAssociationMainStreet153MainStreet153BZN1251,Balzan,MaltaBZN1251,Balzan,Maltatel:0035621444296tel:0035621444296e­mail:lca@lca.org.mte­mail:lca@lca.org.mt

MunicipalityofSepinoMunicipalityofSepinoPiazzaNerazioPrisco40PiazzaNerazioPrisco4086017,Sepino,Italy86017,Sepino,Italytel:00390874790132tel:00390874790132e­mail:info@comune.sepino.cb.ite­mail:info@comune.sepino.cb.it

MunicipalityofAgiaMunicipalityofAgiaKalipsosAlexouliSt.,Agia27KalipsosAlexouliSt.,Agia2740003,Agia,Greece40003,Agia,Greecetel:00302494350100tel:00302494350100mayordagias@0559.syzefxis.gov.grmayordagias@0559.syzefxis.gov.gr

SociedaddeDesarrollodeSociedaddeDesarrollodeSantaCruzdeTenerifeS.A.SantaCruzdeTenerifeS.A.Imeldoserıs 83Imeldoserıs 8338003,SantaCruzdeTenerife,38003,SantaCruzdeTenerife,SpainSpaintel:0034922533353tel:0034922533353

HarrydaMunicipalityHarrydaMunicipalityRadaTorg1RadaTorg1s­43580,Molnlycke,Swedens­43580,Molnlycke,Swedentel:0046(0)317246100tel:0046(0)317246100e­mail:kommun@harryda.see­mail:kommun@harryda.se

ThisprojecthasbeenfundedwithsupportfromtheEuropeanCommission.Thiscommunicationre�lectstheThisprojecthasbeenfundedwithsupportfromtheEuropeanCommission.Thiscommunicationre�lectstheviewsonlyoftheauthor,andtheCommissioncannotbeheldresponsibleforanyusewhichmaybemadeofviewsonlyoftheauthor,andtheCommissioncannotbeheldresponsibleforanyusewhichmaybemadeoftheinformationcontainedtherein.theinformationcontainedtherein.