Sport tourism is a rapidly growing sector that contributes to local economic development, community engagement, and the promotion of an active lifestyle. However, the development of this sector is still often based on a linear resource-use model, which does not sufficiently align with the European Union’s objectives on climate neutrality, the circular economy, and social inclusion. Despite the European Green Deal and the Circular Economy Action Plan, sport tourism remains insufficiently integrated into EU sustainability policy frameworks.
Most local and regional sports clubs organising sport tourism activities (training sessions, camps, events, and competitions) lack structured guidelines on how to practically apply circular economy principles, such as reducing waste, optimising resource use, managing mobility, or increasing the accessibility of activities for socially disadvantaged groups. There is a shortage not only of knowledge, but also of a dedicated advisory system that would enable these practices to be implemented consistently and in the long term.
The LISTEN project (Circularity in Sport Tourism – the Right Path to Destination) addresses this challenge by developing a structured and practically applicable Circular Sport Tourism Advisory System (CSTAS). This system is focused on strengthening the capacities of local and regional sports organisations, supporting them in integrating circular economy, environmental sustainability, and social inclusion principles into sport tourism activities.
The project aims not only to reduce the environmental impact of sport tourism, but also to strengthen the role of sports organisations in developing inclusive, accessible, and community-based sport tourism models that align with the EU Work Plan for Sport (2024–2027) and the priorities of the Erasmus+ programme.
Project Objective
To develop and pilot the foundations of a Circular Sport Tourism Advisory System (CSTAS) for local and regional sports organisations, including:
- a theoretical and methodological framework,
- practical hands-on tools,
- a digital knowledge-sharing and advisory platform.
The project is based on networking activities, the identification of good practices, and the pilot implementation of CSTAS in sports clubs in Lithuania and Latvia, with the aim of scaling up the model at EU level in the future.
Project Duration: 1 December 2025 – 30 November 2026 (12 months)
EU Funding: EUR 60,000.00
Project Number: 101243338
Project Meetings:
Disclaimer:
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
