SOCRAT Presented in Brussels: Strengthening European Cooperation for Sustainable and Creative Tourism
30/06/2026
On 24 and 25 June 2026, the SOCRAT project was presented in Brussels during a two-day side event dedicated to promoting the strategic role of crafts, arts and cultural and creative industries (CCIs) in the development of innovative and sustainable tourism models.
Hosted by the Veneto Region, the event gathered project partners, policy makers, stakeholders and representatives of cultural and tourism sectors to discuss the achievements of the SOCRAT project and its contribution to strengthening cross-border cooperation between Croatia and Italy.
The programme focused on presenting the project’s core methodology, with special emphasis on the Creative Living Labs as SOCRAT’s central participatory tool for connecting artists, craftspeople, cultural institutions and local communities. Through thirteen Creative Living Labs implemented across partner regions, the project has developed new cultural-tourism products rooted in local heritage, creativity and sustainability.
The event also provided an opportunity to present the SOCRAT Action Plan, highlighting the role of policymakers in supporting the long-term implementation and transferability of the project’s results.
A special focus was placed on the synergy between SOCRAT and the MED4REGEN project, opening discussions on how sustainable and regenerative approaches can complement each other in strengthening territorial resilience and creating new development opportunities.
In addition to project presentations, the Brussels event included open discussions on EU-level project capitalization, future cooperation opportunities and the strategic importance of thematic networks in promoting innovative approaches to tourism.
By bringing the SOCRAT experience to Brussels, the partnership reinforced the project’s visibility at the European level and contributed to a broader dialogue on the future of tourism based on heritage, creativity, participation and sustainability.
