The backgroundTourism provides a vital source of incomes for local communities and contribute to global sustainable development. Community-based tourism has a catalytic function for economic, social & cultural development, as a complementary source of income to improve standard of living, create jobs, preserve the traditions & protect the environment. The journey is integrated to the learning experience, travellers are actively involved in social, cultural & environmental projects that foster sustainable development in the local community. All targeted rural communities in IT, ES, NE, VT, TR, IN, KE include natural & cultural heritage of international value, including biodiversity, cultural diversity & rich traditions.Need analysis- Widespread poverty, with high rates of youth unemployment & increasing youth migration flows.- The tourism sector is highly fragmented and poorly structured. - Geographic isolation, low accessibility, poor infrastructures, limited financial resources. - Low capacity of both public and private actors to promote a community-based tourism. - Lack of visibility, marketing and cooperative partnerships among public and private stakeholders.- Political and institutional obstacles.General objective- To strengthen the capacity of youth organizations and local communities to promote community-based tourism in rural and remote areas.Specific objectives- To enhance the socio-professional development of youth workers & organizations to promote community-based tourism in their local communities and regions.- To encourage the exchange of experiences, community approaches and business cooperation among youth organizations from EU, Asia & Africa in the field of youth work and community-based tourism.Expected results- Strengthened the capacity of youth organizations & local communities to promote community-based tourism.- Increased socio-professional development of N.74 youth workers equipped with key competences & tools to boost community-based tourism.- Increased transnational cooperation, exchange of good practices & capacity building. Outputs- The capacity building training programme include 1 Traning course in IT, 6 study visits in all participating countries and 1 final seminar in IT involving N.80 youth workers from all participating countries.- The e-learning platform, including educational resources on “Community-Based Tourism" & promoting the short-term or long-term community-based tourism packages based on holistic discovery of cultural diversity, local values, traditions, natural products & gastronomy, while being engaged in social, cultural and environmental projects where young people can volunteer & get involved (EN, FR, IT).Direct target groups- Youth workers who work in community-based projects with & for young people and that are interested in community-based tourism. Indirect target groups- A wider audience of youth workers, young people & responsible travellers reached by the OER.
Project title: BOCOTO - Boosting Community-based Tourism and Youth Work for Global Sustainable DevelopmentDuration1/11/2018 - 5/5/2021The project proposed an international capacity building program by exposing participants to various aspects of “community-based tourism” & youth work from different countries & organizations from Italy, Spain, Nepal, Vietnam, Turkey, India & Kenya. Through a transnational approach, the project was examining concepts & practices underpinning “community-based tourism - CBT” & its potential in the youth field in all targeted local communities & regions. Perspectives on CBT was explored through a holistic concept of protection & valorisation of biodiversity, cultural diversity, local development and the promotion of human rights. The project was engaging youth organizations & stakeholders to work together to develop & promote CBT as a catalyst for inclusive & sustainable economic growth, youth employment, social inclusion, well-being & poverty reduction, while at the same time protecting cultural values and the natural heritage.Target groups- Youth workers and young leaders who work in community-based projects with & for young people & that are interested in community-based tourism and sustainable development.Final beneficiariesRural communities involved in the project, who can benefit from increased touristic activities bringing local economic & social benefits.General objectiveTo strengthen the capacity of youth organisations & local communities to promote community-based tourism in rural and remote areas.Specific objective- To enhance the socio-professional development of youth workers and organisations to promote CBT in their local communities and regions.- To encourage the exchange of experiences, community approaches and organisational cooperation among youth organisations from EU, Asia & Africa in the field of youth work and CBT.Results achieved- Increased socio-professional development of youth workers who are equipped with knowledge, key competences & employable tools on “community-based tourism & sustainable development” through different cultural perspectives, educational approaches and community experiences from different regions of the World.- Increased transnational cooperation, exchange of good practices and capacity building between youth workers, organizations and NGOs active in the sustainable development field from different World context.Outputs- BOCOTO learning platform: an open educational resource targeting young people and youth workers and serving as a key tool in the awareness-raising on the CBT concept, in the promotion of 'community-based tourism' packages and in reaching the audience of young people & responsible travellers interested in taking part. - Sustainable Development and Community-based Tourism Training Manual: presenting a full learning module of non-formal learning activities on Sustainable Development and Community based tourism, designed for international context for the benefit of youth workers and trainers who aim to enhance the competences of young people on SD and CBT.- BOCOTO Catalogue: including CBT packages developed and offered by partners (2 weeks, 1 month and 3 months duration) characterised by holistic discovery of cultural diversity, natural products and gastronomy, while giving opportunity for travellers in the engagement of local social, educational and environmental initiatives.- Country analyses on CBT in 7 partner countries: SWOT analysis of resources & good practices in the local contexts.Mobility activities including a TC & a final seminar in Italy (Caltanissetta), study visits in India (Bhubaneswar & Odisha), Kenya (Kisumu), Nepal (Palpa), Spain (Elche), Turkey (Istanbul), Vietnam (Hanoi & Ha Giang).