Innovation Academy, together with its international partners, is launching the LISTEN project (Circularity in Sport Tourism – the Right Path to Destination) – an initiative aimed at strengthening sustainability, circular economy solutions and social inclusion in the sport tourism sector.
Sport tourism is a rapidly growing sector that contributes to local economic development, community engagement and the promotion of an active lifestyle. However, its development is still often based on a linear resource-use model that 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 sport clubs organising sport tourism activities – including training sessions, camps, events and competitions – lack structured guidance on how to apply circular economy principles in practice, such as reducing waste, using resources more efficiently, managing mobility and improving access to activities for socially disadvantaged groups. There is a lack not only of practical knowledge, but also of a consistent advisory system that could support the long-term application of these practices.
The LISTEN project aims to address these challenges by developing the Circular Sport Tourism Advisory System (CSTAS). CSTAS will provide a practical framework of guidance and tools for sport clubs and tourism-sector stakeholders, helping them plan travel and events more responsibly by reducing waste, encouraging more sustainable choices and improving accessibility.
The project aims not only to reduce the environmental impact of sport tourism, but also to strengthen the role of sport organisations in developing inclusive, accessible and community-based sport tourism models aligned with the EU Work Plan for Sport 2024–2027 and the priorities of the Erasmus+ programme.
Project Launch and Next Steps
Today, the project kick-off meeting took place, during which the partners:
- agreed on a shared document workspace, partnership agreements and the main administrative steps;
- coordinated project management, communication and overall cooperation;
- identified the first content-related tasks.
During the next stage of the project, the main focus will be on WP2 – Context Analysis and Stakeholder Engagement, led by Innovation Academy.
This stage will analyse the sport tourism landscape and existing sustainability practices in Lithuania and Latvia, identify current gaps and opportunities, and review relevant good practices from across Europe.
Focus group discussions will also be organised with sport clubs, federations, policymakers and representatives of the tourism sector. The results of this work will provide the evidence base for the further development and piloting of CSTAS.
The project is funded by the European Union.
More information about the LISTEN project can be found here: https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/projects/search/details/101243338
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.
