Transforming European Tourism: VERNE Project Launches Circular Solutions Across 5 Living Labs
The VERNE Project, an ambitious initiative funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe program with a budget of over €5.3 million, is accelerating its efforts to redefine the tourism industry. As Bursa Uludağ University (BUU), we are proud to be an active partner in this international consortium, working to transition tourism destinations from traditional models to a resilient, green, and circular economy.
From Theory to Action: 5 Representative Living Labs
The core of the VERNE Project lies in its practical application. Innovative solutions are currently being tested in 5 diverse "Living Labs" across Europe, each addressing unique environmental and economic challenges:
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Pomurje, Slovenia: Implementing a "Regional Zero Food Waste System" focused on zero-emission distribution of local food.
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Santorini, Greece: Testing sustainable mobility and advanced water management solutions in a high-demand island ecosystem.
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Bornholm, Denmark: Exploring circular gastronomy and sustainable consumption patterns to reduce the environmental footprint of food tourism.
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Uusimaa, Finland: Integrating high-tech digital services and virtual nature tourism to enhance visitor experiences sustainably.
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Sønderjylland-Schleswig (Danish-German Border): Developing cross-border sustainable tourism routes and energy-efficient building solutions.
A Holistic Approach: The 7 Strategic Work Packages
The project ensures a comprehensive transformation through seven integrated Work Packages (WPs):
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WP1 – Multi-dimensional framework for assessing circular and sustainable tourism: Establishing scientific KPIs to measure circularity performance in tourism destinations.
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WP2 – Community-based solutions and business models for sustainable tourism: Developing a catalog of 30+ circular solutions and innovative business models (with strategic technical support from BUU).
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WP3 – Systemic digital tools supporting transformation towards circularity: Creating AI-powered assistants and data-sharing platforms for tourism stakeholders.
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WP4 – Stakeholders’ local engagement and VERNE pilots’ demonstration activities: Managing and monitoring the real-world trials across the 5 Living Labs.
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WP5 – Lessons learned, scalability and replicability of circular models for tourism sector: Delivering specialized training for tourism professionals and drafting policy recommendations for the EU Green Deal.
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WP6 – Communication, Dissemination, Exploitation: Launching a "One-Stop-Shop" virtual hub to make project tools and success stories accessible to the entire industry.
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WP7 – Coordination and management: Ensuring seamless international coordination and technical excellence.
BUU’s Contribution to the Green Transition
As a partner, Bursa Uludağ University provides vital academic and technical expertise, particularly in the development of sustainable business models (WP2) and dissemination activities (WP6). Our team works closely with international partners to ensure that circular practices are not only environmentally friendly but also economically viable for SMEs and local authorities.
The Future: A "One-Stop-Shop" for Tourism
The ultimate goal of VERNE is to establish a virtual knowledge hub—a One-Stop-Shop—where tourism stakeholders can access best practices, digital tools, and training modules. This will ensure that the "green revolution" initiated by the project continues to scale across Europe long after the project concludes in 2027.
For more details on our recent site visits, training sessions, and upcoming events, visit the official VERNE website and follow our updates on LinkedIn.
Building a circular and sustainable future for tourism, together.
