The primary objective of the ISL project is to co-design sustainable tourism models for islands by creating Island Communities of Practice (ICoP) on three European islands. This mission involves enhancing the skills and knowledge of island stakeholders regarding cultural identity, awareness, and heritage, fostering collaborations shaping resilient tourism strategies, supporting social and terrestrial cohesion among island communities, and building transnational collaboration capacity through participatory practices. This is reached by the innovative methodology of the ISL project: Employing participatory practices and nurturing interdisciplinary teams within island communities. This approach empowers groups to drive sustainable, place-based development. The project’s planned on-site actions and workshops offer hands-on experiences, enhancing the impact of the methodology. ISL's significance for funding lies in its comprehensive strategy to address challenges faced by island communities in transitioning to sustainable tourism. Its holistic and engaging approach equips stakeholders with the tools needed for a more resilient and sustainable future. This fosters community building and promotes active European citizenship.
The emergence of the project stems from the pressing need to rethink tourism in the face of unprecedented challenges like the COVID-19 crisis, climate change, and overtourism. These megatrends exposed flaws in the prevailing mass tourism model, underscoring the urgency for a sustainable and resilient approach to tourism. Islands, once overlooked, now stand at the forefront for two contrasting reasons: as safe, secluded heavens competing with established tourist hotspots, and as destinations grappling with the necessity to reimagine their prosperity tied to tourism. Experts suggest recognizing the pivotal role of cultural tourism as a key solution. However, integrating this concept effectively demands participatory practices, aligning with the Faro Convention’s emphasis on active community involvement in preserving cultural heritage. Despite acknowledging the significance of participatory approaches, island communities often lack the expertise regarding participatory practices. The ISL project adopts a "Communities of Practice" framework, leveraging bottom-up initiatives to empower local actors into interdisciplinary groups. The project consortium applied for the project with the aim of fostering these bottom-up initiatives.