The project “Social entrepreneurship in tourism – Innovative volunteer tourism product” started its implementation on September 17, 2020. The project holder is Ventula Travel d.o.o., and the project partners are the Association “MI” – Split, Aspira College – Split and the Association of Croatian Travel Agencies.

The total value of the project is HRK 1,126,202.97. Grants are provided from the European Social Fund (85%) and the state budget (15%). The duration of the project is 18 months.

Through the project, there will be activities that will ensure the transfer of good practices, the exchange of experiences and the promotion of good business principles. In addition, the project develops a sustainable tourist product, encourages the development of sustainable practice and contributes to improving cooperation between the for-profit, public and non-profit sectors in the creation of new concepts for vacations and travel and increasing the employability of young unemployed highly educated people in a region rich in traditional lifestyles, natural beauty and a preserved environment .

The implementation of the project will develop cooperation with key stakeholders in the field of social entrepreneurship, sustainable tourism and volunteer tourism, in order to intensively inform the target groups and the general public about the specific way of community development and entrepreneurship in Croatia.

Through various educational activities, the capacities of the target groups – 10 employed and self-employed persons and 15 young unemployed persons – will be strengthened by learning about the key principles of sustainable tourism, volunteerism and social entrepreneurship. Additionally, through professional practice activities and employment on the sale of volunteer tourism products, young unemployed people will strengthen their position on the labor market.

Through promotional activities, the target group, as well as the general public, will have the opportunity to be regularly informed about the principles of social entrepreneurship and news from the field of volunteerism. Finally, Ventula Travel DMC will adapt its operations to the principles of social entrepreneurship.