MEDS

about 
   the project

Project acronym: MEDS
Project priority: Adapting vocational education and training to labour market needs

The MEDS project aims to build on the key concepts and practices of the European Capitals of Smart Tourism, namely Accessibility, Sustainability, Digitalisation, Cultural heritage & creativity, to a novel cohort of Destination Managers capable of working in and with Public Administrations. They could help tourism recovery and resilience in European destinations, including small and peripheral areas, and contribute to making them evolve with a common purpose and a strong sense of place that is shared by visitors and residents.

Specific objectives of the MEDS project:

1. MEDS will deliver a learning methodology capable of enhancing attractiveness and relevance of vocational education and training in the fields of tourism and destination management.
2. MEDS will explore the viability and sustainability of a novel hybrid organisation committed to training adult and young Europeans and local public administrations in Smart Destination Management (i. e. MEDS Academy). MEDS Academy will be organised at the national and EU levels participated by learners and specialists to prepare tourism and cultural professionals to work closely with the community and local administrations.

The MEDS Academy will uptake the informal learning methodology, combining digital microlearning with physical face-to-face co-creation labs. A hands-on educational programme will explore best principles and practices of UN Sustainable Development Goals and Sustainable Development, European Capitals of Smart Tourism, Destination Management and Marketing, Public-Private-People Management, Project Design and Management, and key concepts of Tourism 4.0. Learners will be immersed into work-based learning experiences in which they will act as Budding Managers of Smart Destination and will develop new projects and actions of sustainable tourism that can be driven and led by public authorities, also by activating public-private partnerships, and by using public and private resources.

All in all, the MEDS project aims at creating a multidisciplinary community providing all involved stakeholders with actionable fundamentals and principles to be used in project works and conveying specific knowledge and skills, including mentoring pursued by the multidisciplinary group of people involved.