Roots tourism eu

Partners

The Foundation of Knowledge - Tudás Alapítvány

(Hungary)

The Foundation of Knowledge (Tudás Alapítvány) is a Hungarian non-profit organisation established in 1994, with a strong focus on culture, education and community development. Its mission is to support young artists, teachers, researchers and talented students, while promoting cultural heritage, artistic creation and lifelong learning.

The Foundation is particularly committed to strengthening competences in education, economy, agriculture and rural development, as well as preserving natural and cultural values and promoting historical traditions and popular culture. Through its activities, it contributes to social well-being, healthy lifestyles and sustainable development.

Since 2007, Tudás Alapítvány has been actively involved in international cooperation and has participated in more than 80 national and international projects as coordinator or partner. Its experience covers a wide range of areas, including cultural heritage, rural and country tourism, agriculture, education and training, library science, and social inclusion. The Foundation has produced numerous studies, publications and educational materials, widely used in secondary and higher education.

Tudás Alapítvány collaborates closely with schools, universities, cultural institutions, local authorities and civil society, organisations at local, national and European level, contributing to innovative educational projects and cultural initiatives.

Euphoria Net Srl

(Italy)

Euphoria Net Srl is an Italian company based in Rome, specialised in EU project management, training and communication strategies. The organisation supports schools, public and private bodies, youth organisations and cultural institutions in designing, managing and implementing European projects, with a strong focus on education, innovation and capacity building.

With experience in over 30 European projects, Euphoria Net has developed solid expertise in project planning, coordination, financial and technical management, dissemination and impact evaluation. Its work primarily targets the education and training sectors, collaborating closely with school networks, youth institutions and educational stakeholders across Italy and Europe.

Euphoria Net also delivers training programmes on EU project design and funding opportunities, helping organisations and individuals develop the skills needed to successfully respond to European calls and operate in the field of EU-funded projects. These activities aim to strengthen institutional capacities and promote long-term international cooperation.

Over the years, the company has built a strong international network of more than 27 European partners, trained over 5,000 participants, and contributed to the successful implementation of numerous European and local initiatives, combining strategic project management with effective communication and dissemination.

Ecoclub SA

(Greece)

Ecoclub SA is a media and consultancy company based in Athens, Greece, specialising in sustainable tourism and ecotourism. Since 1999, Ecoclub has been operating Ecoclub.com, the world’s first ecotourism portal, which connects more than 1,100 tourism professionals worldwide and attracts over 5,000 unique visitors per month. The platform is widely recognised in academic publications and professional testimonials as a leading reference in sustainable tourism.

Ecoclub promotes responsible tourism practices through initiatives such as Ecoclub Ecolodges™, the Ecolodge Ecolabel, and the Eco Luminaries™ interview series, which highlights inspiring eco-practitioners, researchers and academics. The organisation supports tourism businesses through consulting, mentoring and auditing services, helping them improve sustainability performance, achieve certification and communicate their impact through effective storytelling.

Ecoclub has managed and contributed to 15 international social development and environmental conservation projects, with a strong focus on improving local well-being and protecting natural and cultural heritage in line with ecotourism principles.

Through extensive experience in rural tourism, certification, mentoring and international cooperation, Ecoclub brings strong expertise in sustainable tourism development, stakeholder engagement and capacity building. The organisation actively collaborates with European and global networks, contributing to innovation, advocacy and best practices in responsible and community-based tourism.

Uniwersytet Slaski W Katowicach

(Poland)

The University of Silesia in Katowice is one of the largest and most dynamically developing public universities in Poland. Founded in 1968, it has established itself as a vibrant academic institution and an important interdisciplinary research hub, responding proactively to the evolving needs of society and the labour market.

The University offers a wide range of study opportunities, with 83 degree programmes and nearly 206 specialisations, serving almost 22,000 students in full-time and part-time studies. Its academic community includes around 1,900 teachers and researchers, supported by modern laboratories and outstanding research teams. The University also provides doctoral programmes in 18 disciplines, fostering innovative and applied research.

Internationalisation is a strategic priority for the University of Silesia. It actively participates in European and international initiatives, implementing projects funded by Erasmus+, Horizon Europe, Creative Europe, Interreg, Visegrad Fund, EEA Funds and Structural Funds. Currently, the University is involved in over 320 research and educational projects, many carried out in cooperation with international partners, businesses and public institutions, with a strong focus on innovation and practical applications for the economy.

The University has extensive experience in national and international cooperation, with hundreds of agreements and over 2,000 contracts and partnerships with academic institutions, businesses, local authorities and civil society organisations. Its dedicated Project Department ensures high-quality administrative and financial management of EU-funded projects.

Associação Torrejana de Ensino Profissional

(Portugal)

Associação Torrejana de Ensino Profissional (ATEP) is a vocational education and training organisation established in 1991 by the Municipality of Torres Novas, NERSANT – Santarém Business Association, and ACIS – Torres Novas Trade, Industry and Services Association. For over 30 years, ATEP has been a key reference in education and professional training at local and regional level.

ATEP has contributed to the integral development of nearly 1,500 young people, combining strong preparation for labour market integration with the promotion of technical, transversal and social competences. Its educational approach is based on close cooperation with companies, including curricular internships of more than 600 hours over three academic years, ensuring strong links between school-based learning and real work environments.

The school currently serves around 220 students aged 15–19, enrolled in EQF level 4 professional courses in areas such as Tourism, Marketing, Management, IT, Logistics and Sociocultural Animation. ATEP works with a highly cohesive and experienced team of 32 teachers and 11 non-teaching staff, providing continuous academic, personal and professional support to students, many of whom come from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds.

ATEP strongly promotes citizenship education, sustainability and community engagement through study visits, international experiences, health and citizenship education, school sports and partnerships with local and regional institutions. The organisation has been recognised as an Eco-School, reflecting its commitment to environmental awareness and sustainable practices.

Provincia di Campobasso

(Italy)

The Province of Campobasso is a public territorial authority covering an area of 2,909 km² and comprising 84 municipalities in the Molise Region. As an autonomous public body with statutory, regulatory, financial and organisational competences, it represents the local community and promotes the social, economic and cultural development of its territory in accordance with national and regional legislation.

A strategic priority for the Province of Campobasso is roots tourism, due to the strong migratory history of the region. Nearly one third of Molise’s population resides abroad: over 89,000 citizens are registered in the Italian Registry of Residents Abroad (AIRE), representing around 29% of the total population. This makes roots tourism a key opportunity for territorial development, cultural heritage enhancement and sustainable tourism growth.

In recent years, the Province has actively supported municipalities, particularly smaller and rural ones, in planning and developing roots tourism initiatives. It has disseminated information and guidance on this topic and encouraged local authorities to participate in national initiatives, including the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ programme for the Year of Roots Tourism 2024. The Province has also signed educational pacts with schools, positioning education as a driver for promoting roots tourism at local level.

Through its institutional role and strong local networks, the Province of Campobasso contributes strategic coordination, policy expertise and territorial engagement to the project, ensuring strong links between education, local communities and sustainable roots tourism development.

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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. (Project code: 2025-1-HU01-KA220-VET-000354851)