LCSS IERD researchers Dr. Živilė Gedminaitė-Raudonė and Dr. Monika Belhaj participated in the cross-visit in Italy, held on 17–19 September 2025 in the rural district of Val di Cecina. The event brought together experts from eight European countries, including Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, France, Poland, Serbia, Slovenia, and Lithuania, to explore rural tourism, focusing on sustainability, cultural heritage, ecosystem protection, and rural revitalization.
The programme combined practical experiences and discussions across several municipalities. Participants explored forest management and nature-based tourism in the Riserva Naturale Forestale del Berignone, followed by an urban trekking tour in Volterra, which highlighted strategies for cultural heritage management and sustainable urban tourism. In Riparbella, attention was given to how small towns can leverage cultural resources, while visits to Caia Rossa Winery and Giardino Scornabecchi Park showcased innovative examples of rural revitalisation. The visit continued in Cecina with a bike tour through the Tomboli di Cecina Nature Reserve, focusing on ecosystem protection and the challenges of coastal tourism.
The final sessions were dedicated to reflection and knowledge sharing. In workshops, participants collaborated to analyze critical issues and co-design strategies for sustainable solutions in rural tourism. The cross-visit concluded with a joint discussion on how to adapt and apply these insights across different European regions.
This visit was organized within the framework of the Horizon Europe GRANULAR project.
More about the project: https://www.ruralgranular.eu/