The project included an initial educational training and then a traineeship abroad. Participants learned the organization and promotion of services related to active tourism. After the end of each flow we activated career guidance actions. The project aim concerned the creation of specific conditions to facilitate the students entry in the labour market. With these actions we generated a local company network regarding tourism and food and wine. The same companies will contact the students for an interview after their graduation, in order to improve their employability or companies start up. Participants practiced their traineeships in Germany, Ireland, Spain and Malta. The results are positive with successful experiences in the active tourism field. Students achieved the defined competences indicated in the “Atlante del Lavoro” and in the Tuscany Region Directory of the professional figures. Finally, during all the project phases we involved all the consortium High Schools, located in the North-West of Tuscany Provinces.
The project stems from the analysis of the needs identified in the North of Tuscany. This territory, where the Consortium members live, includes Lunigiana, the Costa Apuana, Garfagnana, Versilia, Lucca and Valdera areas. It is provided by a great environmental asset, beautiful landscapes and a significant cultural, historical and gastronomic heritage. In addition, it is possible to find national and regional parks, nature reserves and, moreover, castles, historical residences and interesting archaeological sites. Population live in small cities and in the several villages located in the territory, most of them presenting depopulation phenomena. All these areas are characterized by youth unemployment and lots of NEET in respect of the regional average. The relevant tourist flows of the consortium area are mainly related to the summer season and strongly connected to the coast. On the other side the close 5 Terre and the relevant Tuscany art cities have tourists all year round. The proposed project offered a process of territory enhancement adopting different kinds of active tourism.