The European Tourism Sustainability Monitoring 2030 (ETSM2030) is a project funded by the European Union (EU) to foster sustainability certification and sustainability knowledge within SMTEs as well as bring together sustainable working SMTEs in a network, where exchange is encouraged. The ETSM2030 project is part of COSME, which is a European program to support competitiveness amongst SMTEs within the EU.
Our AIM
ETSM2030 aims at establishing a network of tourism SMEs (SMTEs) to increase sustainability monitoring by co-creating and co-implementing Sustainable Innovations Projects (SIP) and by boosting participation in relevant sustainable certification schemes, in particular the EU Ecolabel and EMAS (Eco-Management and Audit Scheme).
Process
The ETSM2030 project team sets criteria for the selection of 84 SMTEs, then the selection of the SMTEs will be made via an open call in six EU countries (Austria, Germany, Italy, Poland, Romania and Slovenia). After selecting the SMTEs which will participate in the program, the SMTEs will be boosted in their sustainability performance.
First, the status quo of the SMTEs’ sustainability awareness, practices and monitoring is assessed. In the second step the ETSM2030 will improve the knowledge level about sustainability monitoring and actions by developing a sustainability monitoring tool which is suitable for the SMTEs and can easily be integrated in their daily routines. Through this monitoring and indicator system and by using digital tools, the sustainability practices among the participating European SMTEs can be benchmarked.
In the following step the participating SMTEs receive specific trainings and coaching about sustainability, how to monitor it and to take advantage of a collaborative learning platform. Also, the SMTEs reveal potential for Sustainability Innovation Projects (SIPs).
Due to this learning effects and cross-border exchange of the SMTEs they are encouraged to apply for established sustainability certification schemes (EU-standards) and be part of the SESTINE network (Sustainability European SMTE Innovation Network of Excellence).
Our progress
Sustainability Innovation Projects (SIPs)
These projects apply the knowledge acquired in the coaching and training – SIPs are concrete implementations of sustainability actions in one or more thematic areas in which the SMTEs take part. The SMTEs will build tandems by jointly co-creating and co-implementing own cooperation projects together with at least one SMTE located in a partner country. The SIPs will be supervised and conducted by sustainability experts to ensure competent consultation.
Sustainability European SMTE Innovation Network of Excellence (SESTINE)
The SESTINE is a digital collaboration and co-creation platform in the area of sustainability monitoring and innovation in tourism and a great chance to foster cross-border exchange. It serves as a communication and dissemination tool for sustainability best practices in tourism and invites partners form all over Europe to participate. The SMTEs will be able to benchmark their sustainability performance in SESTINE to show their sustainability. The SESTINE aims to share knowledge among the ETSM2030 members and later within the whole European tourism industry. Furthermore, outstanding best practice examples will be honored with a newly introduced SMTE sustainability award.
