BACKGROUNDThe CHARTS project focuses on the role of culture and heritage in the formulation and delivery of added-value to regional strategies for sustainable tourism development and integration into local, regional, national and EU policies. Partners will share experience on how improved management of cultural tourism destinations contribute to protection and enhancement of cultural heritage & landscape, as well as sustainable regional development policies, especially in relation to challenges of climate change and the economic crisis.Eight Good Practices are analysed and exchanged, drawn from two existing networks: the European Cultural Tourism Network (ECTN), legacy of INTERRREG IIIC operation, and CHIRON (Cultural, Heritage promotion of Identity of Regions Observatory and Networking for cultural tourism) IIIB CADSES, coming together to work jointly, with Place Marketing delivered by the IIIC CultMark operation and other Initiatives inc.Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe.OBJECTIVESThe overall objective is to build on, capitalise and exploit the outputs, methods, results, policies and strategies of previous projects and initiatives in the field of culture, heritage and sustainable tourism development strategies and to transfer highly relevant Good Practices between participating regions and Europe-wide, as important added-value to effective regional policy formulation and implementation, as well as contributing to the Lisbon & Gothenburg AgendasPARTNERSHIPThe 13 Partners are from 11 EU counties, covering North (SE, LV), South (EL, IT, ES, CY), East (RO, BG) & West (UK, IE, BE), while 4 partners are from New Member States (LV, CY, RO, BG), ensuring a widespread EU geographical coverage. The Partnership comprises 2 elected regional authorities (UK, IT), 4 elected local government bodies (EL, IE, SE, ES), 2 national agencies/institutes (EL, RO), 2 regional tourism boards (CY, LV), 1 Local Authorities Union (BG), 1 University (ES) & 1 EU Network (BE).MAIN ACTIVITIESIdentification, analysis, exchange & transfer of good practices on climate change, accessibility to heritage, effective partnerships, host communities, quality criteria, visitor information, place marketing and cultural routes, for sustainable tourism. Policy integration & added value. Charter. Award. Events. Exhibitions. Workshops. Conference.EXPECTED OUTPUTS & RESULTSEnhanced regional policies on Culture, Heritage & Sustainable Tourism; Added-value to past and existing initiativesIncreased knowledge in less developed regions of the EU (inc. new MS)Creation of opportunities for employment in the Cultural and Tourism industriesProtection and preservation of culture and heritage sites and landscapesProtection and preservation of the environment through the introduction and promotion of sustainable tourism strategies (Responsible tourism)Better use of EU funds in the mainstream operational programmes with already proven successful best practices and policies. Achievements: The CHARTS project focuses on the role of culture and heritage in the formulation and delivery of added-value to regional strategies for sustainable tourism development and integration into local, regional, national and EU policies. Partners share experience on how improved management of cultural tourism destinations contribute to protection and enhancement of cultural heritage & landscape, as well as sustainable regional development policies, especially in relation to challenges of climate change and the economic crisis. Twelve Good Practices are analysed and exchanged, drawn from two existing networks: the European Cultural Tourism Network (ECTN), legacy of INTERRREG IIIC operation, and CHIRON (Cultural, Heritage promotion of Identity of Regions Observatory and Networking for cultural tourism) IIIB CADSES, coming together to work jointly, with Place Marketing delivered by the IIIC CultMark operation and other Initiatives inc.Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe. The overall objective is to build on, capitalise and exploit the outputs, methods, results, policies and strategies of previous projects and initiatives in the field of culture, heritage and sustainable tourism development strategies and to transfer highly relevant Good Practices between participating regions and Europe-wide, as important added-value to effective regional policy formulation and implementation, as well as contributing to the Lisbon & Gothenburg Agendas The 13 Project Partners are from 11 EU counties, covering North (SE, LV), South (EL, IT, ES, CY), East (RO, BG) & West (UK, IE, BE), while 4 partners are from New Member States (LV, CY, RO, BG), ensuring a widespread EU geographical coverage. The Partnership comprises 2 elected regional authorities (UK, IT), 4 elected local government bodies (EL, IE, SE, ES), 2 national agencies/institutes (EL, RO), 2 regional tourism boards (CY, LV), 1 Local Authorities Union (BG), 1 University (ES) & 1 EU Network (BE). The project activities are: Identification, analysis, exchange & transfer of good practices on climate change, accessibility to heritage, effective partnerships, host communities, quality criteria, visitor information, place marketing and cultural routes, for sustainable tourism. Policy integration & added value. Charter. Award. Events. Exhibitions. Workshops. Conference. Expected Results: Enhanced regional policies on Culture, Heritage & Sustainable Tourism; Added-value to past and existing initiatives Increased knowledge in less developed regions of the EU (inc. new MS) Creation of opportunities for employment in the Cultural and Tourism industries Protection and preservation of culture and heritage sites and landscapes Protection and preservation of the environment through the introduction and promotion of sustainable tourism strategies (Responsible tourism) Better use of EU funds in the mainstream operational programmes with already proven successful best practices and policies. Achievements during the 1st period are: 1. The project's Steering Group is established, the Subsidy Contract signed, a Management & Coordination Unit (MCU) established and the Partnership Agreement concluded between the partners. 2. Communication strategy developed. 3. The 12 good practices have been selected and agreed. In addition to 8 originally selected (on climate change, accessibility to heritage, effective partnerships, host communities, quality criteria, visitor information, place marketing and cultural routes), 4 additional good practices have been proposed during this period, namely on railway heritage, local products & gastronomy, traditional skills & trades, cycling for tourists in heritage destinations). Thematic Workshops have been scheduled and partner roles confirmed. 4. Joint Training Course has been held in Barcelona, organised by partner Ibertur-University of Barcelona where partners contributed both as speakers/trainers and trainees, on the selected good practices.