MEETINGS

Project Kick-off Meeting: Stavanger, Norway, November 2023 

From 7-9 November 2023, partners from across Europe gathered in Stavanger, Norway, to launch the “Entrepreneurship for Green Rural Destinations” project. Hosted at Fagskolen Rogaland, the three-day event brought together educators, innovators, and project managers to set the fou

Project Kick-off Meeting: Stavanger, Norway, November 2023 

From 7-9 November 2023, partners from across Europe gathered in Stavanger, Norway, to launch the “Entrepreneurship for Green Rural Destinations” project. Hosted at Fagskolen Rogaland, the three-day event brought together educators, innovators, and project managers to set the foundation for our Erasmus+ collaboration.

Day 1 began with a warm welcome, introductions, and a tour of campus facilities, followed by in-depth sessions on the project’s concept, goals, and structure. Partners discussed the application, Gantt chart, contracts, and financial planning, and explored Norwegian case studies to inspire local adaptation. The day concluded with a welcome dinner, sparking new connections and shared ambitions.

Day 2 focused on hands-on project planning: partners distributed work packages, explored ideas for webinars and transnational meetings, and discussed project identity and dissemination strategies. The day wrapped up with group photos, certificates, and reflections on next steps.

Day 3 offered a unique field experience – a visit to Apal Sideri, an innovative rural cider producer. This study trip provided an inspiring example of green entrepreneurship in practice, highlighting how local businesses can drive sustainable rural development and serve as models for our project’s future learning modules.

Bringing together expertise from Norway, Finland, Cyprus, Turkey, Portugal, and Ireland, the Stavanger meeting set a collaborative tone for the project. Through interactive sessions, real-world case studies, and immersive learning, partners left energized and equipped to develop new curricula and resources that will empower rural communities across Europe.

Transnational Project Meeting 2: Cyprus, April 2024 

The second Transnational Project Meeting of the Erasmus+ "Entrepreneurship for Green Rural Destinations" project took place in Cyprus from 24-26 April 2024, bringing together partners for three days of hands-on learning, collaboration, and inspiration.

Day 1 began with a visit to the R

Transnational Project Meeting 2: Cyprus, April 2024 

The second Transnational Project Meeting of the Erasmus+ "Entrepreneurship for Green Rural Destinations" project took place in Cyprus from 24-26 April 2024, bringing together partners for three days of hands-on learning, collaboration, and inspiration.

Day 1 began with a visit to the Regional High School of Agia Varvara, where partners met the school director, toured the facilities, and engaged directly with teachers and students. Participants joined lessons, gaining valuable insight into the local educational environment and building connections with the next generation of rural entrepreneurs. The day concluded with a cultural exploration of Nicosia’s old city, including the archaeological museum, Siakolas Tower, and the historic Green Line -offering a deeper understanding of Cyprus’s rich heritage.

Day 2 featured a dynamic round table on “Entrepreneurship for Green Rural Destinations.” Dr. Charalambos Louca from the American College in Nicosia delivered a keynote on the “Determinants of Sustainable Entrepreneurship in Rural Areas,” sparking lively discussion among local leaders and project partners. The team reviewed survey findings on rural entrepreneurship awareness, discussed the E4GRD State-of-the-Art Review, and worked on the In-house Framework Design and Outreach - laying the groundwork for new modules on topics like mental health tourism, food tourism, and green marketing.

Day 3 offered a true taste of green entrepreneurship with a field trip to Analiontas Olive Mill. Hosted by Mr. Lambros Loukas, participants experienced a hands-on workshop in olive processing and olive oil production, seeing first-hand how traditional skills and sustainable business can go hand in hand.

This meeting in Cyprus not only strengthened project partnerships but also showcased local innovation and provided practical inspiration for developing new learning modules. The experiences and insights gained will directly support our mission to empower rural communities across Europe through sustainable entrepreneurship.

Transnational Partner Meeting 3: Almada, Portugal, May 2025

Transnational Partner Meeting 3: Almada, Portugal, May 2025

The third Transnational Partner Meeting was hosted by Escola Secundária de Cacilhas-Tejo in Almada, Portugal. The event brought together partners from across Europe to collaborate, innovate, and immerse themselves in the Portuguese approach to sustainable rural entrepreneurship.

Day 1 kicked off with a warm welcome, introductions, and a tour of the school’s facilities, setting the stage for productive exchanges. Project teams reviewed the latest modules on Moodle, discussed translation and certification processes, and mapped out strategies for dissemination and impact. The day concluded with a hands-on “Augmented Reality Experience” LTT workshop, showcasing how digital tools can enhance learning and engagement in green entrepreneurship. This LTT facilitated the exchange of knowledge, skills, and competences among educators, trainers, and learners, supported the development and testing of new modules for E4GRD and provided a platform to trial digital tools, gather feedback, and advance innovative, interdisciplinary curricula with a strong focus on sustainability and green practices

Day 2 featured a full-day field trip to Montado Freixo do Meio, a pioneering agroecological estate. Partners explored sustainable land management, circular economy practices, and innovative rural business models in action. This visit was directly relevant to the project’s aims, providing inspiration and practical examples of how green entrepreneurship can thrive in rural settings while preserving natural resources and supporting local communities.

Day 3 focused on future planning and collaboration, as partners worked face-to-face planning for the final webinar, shared reflections, and celebrated their achievements with a group photo and certificates of participation.

This meeting in Almada strengthened project partnerships and provided valuable insights and experiences that will shape the next phase of our work - empowering rural communities across Europe to build greener, more resilient destinations.