The SMARTVILLAGE project aims to develop a training course dedicated to the adult people in risk of social exclusion due to economic obstacles from remoted rural areas, who will learn how to help themselves to develop a new business and contribute to the development of the community they live. They will learn how social innovation and circular economy can help rural services such as health, education, energy, mobility and other social services of key importance in marginalized rural areas where these services are often in decline.

1. DEVELOPING RURAL TOURISM BUSINESSES
THROUGH CIRCULAR ECONOMY AND SOCIAL INNOVATION
This programme has been funded with support from the European Commission. The author is solely
responsible for this publication (communication) and the Commission accepts no responsibility for any use
that may be made of the information contained therein

2. TOURISM and CIRCULAR ECONOMY: The SMART VILLAGE project context
The recent pandemics of Covid-19 has influenced our society and lives in many ways. Among many
negative impacts we could have observed in this period there was also one important, rather
unexpected result – we could have seen the direct impact of our behaviour on nature, concretely the
number of travels which significantly lowered during this period
The lowered number of travels in this time caused that the whole tourism industry has suffered
losses. But now it is tourism that is expected to play a large role in boosting consumption to provide
such necessary help to revive the economy. In contrary to a linear economy, a circular economy
employs reuse, sharing, repair, refurbishment, remanufacturing and recycling, reducing the use of
resource inputs and the creation of waste, pollution and carbon emissions.
This programme has been funded with support from the European Commission. The author is solely
responsible for this publication (communication) and the Commission accepts no responsibility for any use
that may be made of the information contained therein

3. TOURISM and CIRCULAR ECONOMY: The SMART VILLAGE project context
Circular economy aims to keep products, materials, equipment and infrastructure in use for longer,
thus improving the productivity of these resources.
While we realize the need for finding harmony between the ecological impacts and need for travels,
there is one area of tourism which offers the answer - domestic rural tourism. It has shown its
potential to attract more tourists, people who are looking for a more individual, healthy and natural
lifestyle while avoiding the overseas travels.
Many rural communities are under economic and social pressure for various well-known reasons, but
there are also new and exciting opportunities for rural residents. Particularly this kind of tourism
offers to the visitors the experiences also related to a wide range of products generally linked to
nature-based activities, agriculture, rural lifestyle and specific culture, angling and sightseeing.
This programme has been funded with support from the European Commission. The author is solely
responsible for this publication (communication) and the Commission accepts no responsibility for any use
that may be made of the information contained therein

4. TOURISM and CIRCULAR ECONOMY: The SMART VILLAGE project context
Seniors can play an important role in revival of the rural tourism, but they need to have upgraded
competences and skills in entrepreneurial and smart village aspects.
SMART VILLAGE – DEVELOPING RURAL TOURISM BUSINESSES THROUGH CIRCULAR ECONOMY AND
SOCIAL INNOVATION project can be a great opportunity for seniors to earn their own living in the
economic crisis generated by the pandemic period, to keep their mind engaged and challenged and
to stay active in the community. The project offers new innovative teaching and learning approaches
in the form of a research study and best practices collection, four multiple handbooks, a training kit
and a videogame as tools for acquiring entrepreneurial competences in rural tourism.
Read the full article: http://dlearn.eu/news/2022/12/tourism-and-circular-economy/
This programme has been funded with support from the European Commission. The author is solely
responsible for this publication (communication) and the Commission accepts no responsibility for any use
that may be made of the information contained therein

5. The SMART VILLAGE project is the result of an international consortium: have a look at the following
channels to know more!
Website: www.smart-village-project.com
Facebook: @Smart Village Project
This programme has been funded with support from the European Commission. The author is solely
responsible for this publication (communication) and the Commission accepts no responsibility for any use
that may be made of the information contained therein