Tourism

Digital Nomads and Youth Work – Impulses for Regional Development

For many years, rural areas and smaller towns in the Odenwald have seen an outflow of young people and an increasing aging of the population. This leads to stagnation in regional development, social inequality, economic challenges and inadequate use of public infrastructure. Particularly since the economic crisis of 2008, migration has increased throughout the EU, with many young people often moving to larger urban areas in search of better opportunities.

At the same time, the digitalization of jobs and the emergence of new industries, such as digital content creation , digital marketing, etc., ushered in another trend: the possibility of remote work. This trend has continued to increase during the COVID-19 pandemic. The phenomenon of “digital nomadism” has also emerged, where thanks to modern technology, young freelancers can work from anywhere in the world and have the freedom to choose between different locations.

Since rural communities are often characterized by strong social connections, they could prove to be an ideal place for (digital) work and the life of digital nomads. Qualified youth work could therefore have positive effects for both digital nomads and local youth. Developing new opportunities for young people in the Odenwald will then help to stop migration and promote the growth and development of the region.

Are you interested in how digitalization and the settlement of young creative people can provide positive impulses for regional development in the Odenwald, e.g. in tourism? Are you looking for ideas to redesign “living in the country”?

Then we cordially invite you to take part in our discussion forum “Digitization – Mobility – Tourism: Regional Development in the Odenwald” on November 28th, 2023 in Waschenbach. The aim of this compact event is to show how developing new opportunities for young people in the Odenwald can help stop migration and promote the growth and development of the region.

Take advantage of the opportunity to learn about good practice examples and to openly discuss this topic with the speakers.

Address: Waschenbach community center, Maiacker 8, 64367 Mühltal

The event is free. Drinks, finger food and networking are provided.

12 reasons why you should visit Bergstrasse-Odenwald in Germany

Aerial view of Frankenstein Castle in southern Hesse, © Biathlonua

The Bergstrasse-Odenwald region in Germany offers several attributes that make it attractive for both tourism and digital nomads. Here are some reasons:

1. A Germany’s Hidden Gem

The Odenwald region is renowned for its picturesque landscapes, including rolling hills, dense forests, and charming river valleys. It offers abundant opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, and nature exploration. The region’s scenic beauty and tranquility attract tourists seeking a peaceful escape and provide an inspiring environment for digital nomads looking for a serene work setting.

2. Immerse Yourself in History and Inspiration

The Odenwald region boasts a rich cultural heritage with its historic towns, castles, and traditional half-timbered houses. Places like Heidelberg, Michelstadt, and Erbach offer a glimpse into the region’s fascinating history and architecture. Tourists can immerse themselves in the local culture, visit museums and galleries, and experience traditional festivals. Digital nomads can find inspiration in the region’s historical ambiance while enjoying a vibrant community of artists and creatives.

3. Embrace Nature’s Playground in Odenwald

The Odenwald region offers a range of outdoor recreational activities, making it appealing to both tourists and digital nomads. The area is crisscrossed by an extensive network of hiking and cycling trails, providing opportunities to explore the region’s natural beauty. Additionally, there are numerous lakes and rivers for swimming, boating, and fishing, providing ample leisure options.

4. Unveiling Odenwald’s Authentic Haven for Work and Leisure

The Odenwald region is known for its peaceful and authentic atmosphere. Away from the bustling city life, the region offers a slower pace of living and a close-knit community. This serene ambiance is highly valued by tourists seeking relaxation and digital nomads looking for a calm and focused work environment.

5. A Culinary and Cultural Journey Like No Other

The Odenwald region is renowned for its culinary traditions and local delicacies. Visitors can indulge in regional dishes, such as the famous Odenwälder Äppelwoi (apple wine) and hearty local cuisine. Exploring the local gastronomy adds to the overall tourist experience and provides digital nomads with opportunities to savor authentic flavors during their stay.

6. Where Accessibility and Serenity Meet

The Odenwald region benefits from its convenient location in central Germany. It is easily accessible by train, car, or bus from major cities such as Frankfurt, Heidelberg, or Mannheim. The well-connected transportation infrastructure enables tourists and digital nomads to reach the region quickly and efficiently.

7. Odenwald is Tech-Ready Haven for Digital Nomads

Digital nomads require reliable internet connectivity and adequate infrastructure to work remotely. The Odenwald region has made significant strides in providing high-speed internet access in both urban and rural areas. Several coworking spaces and business centers have also emerged, offering digital nomads the necessary facilities to work efficiently.

8. Thriving Community Life in Odenwald

The Odenwald region has a thriving community of artists, entrepreneurs, and professionals. This community creates opportunities for networking, collaboration, and social engagement. Digital nomads can benefit from connecting with like-minded individuals, attending local events, and joining professional networks in the region.

While the Odenwald region in Germany is known for its natural beauty and tranquility, it may not have as many dedicated coliving and coworking spaces as larger cities. However, there are some options available for digital nomads and remote workers who are interested in staying and working in the region. Here are a few possibilities:

  • CoWork & Sleep (Heppenheim): Located in Heppenheim, a town in the Odenwald region, CoWork & Sleep offers a combination of coworking and accommodation. It provides shared workspaces, private offices, meeting rooms, and fully furnished apartments. The space is designed to cater to the needs of digital nomads and offers a comfortable environment for both work and relaxation.
  • Coworking Space Erbach: In the town of Erbach, you can find a coworking space that provides a flexible workspace for individuals and small teams. It offers amenities such as high-speed internet, meeting rooms, and a collaborative environment for professionals seeking a dedicated workspace.

9. Going beyond traditional workspaces

While not exclusively coliving or coworking spaces, there are regional initiatives and hubs in the Odenwald region that support entrepreneurship and digital nomadism. These initiatives may offer events, networking opportunities, and resources for remote workers. Examples include the Odenwald Start-up Center and regional economic development agencies that promote innovation and provide support to businesses.

As an alternative, you can also consider renting an Airbnb or vacation rental property in the Odenwald region. Some accommodations may provide suitable workspaces and amenities for remote work. It’s worth exploring the listings and contacting hosts to inquire about their internet connectivity and suitability for working remotely.

While the options for dedicated coliving and coworking spaces may be more limited in the Odenwald region compared to larger cities, the serene environment and community spirit can still be conducive to remote work. Additionally, exploring local cafes, libraries, or community centers can provide alternative workspaces with internet access.

It’s recommended to conduct thorough research, contact the available spaces, and inquire about their amenities, services, and pricing before making any decisions.

Overall, the Odenwald region’s combination of natural beauty, cultural heritage, accessibility, infrastructure, and peaceful environment make it an appealing destination for both tourists seeking relaxation and digital nomads looking for an inspiring and well-connected work environment.

Learn more about digital nomadism and Nomadland project:

Cultural Heritage and IPR in Bulgaria

The European Learn-IP project officially ends at the end of February this year. It involves partners from five countries – Germany, Spain, Romania, Bulgaria and North Macedonia. The entire team was dedicated to the creation of a special training and self-education program for those working in the field of cultural tourism and cultural heritage, which touches on the topic of intellectual property, ways of protection at the national and international level, the economic effects of IPR and ways of developing activities , based on IPRs that bring more revenue. INI-Novation Bulgaria participates in the project, as the Bulgarian partner.

In Bulgaria, intellectual property rights  (IPR) can be used not only to protect but also to monetize cultural heritage and tourism assets. This may include the registration of trademarks for cultural-historical values and tourist destinations, copyrights for historical documents and works of art, and patents for any new technologies or methods used in the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage. By protecting and effectively managing these rights, Bulgaria  attracts more tourists and generate revenue from the sale of goods, licensing and other commercial opportunities. Moreover, it can prevent the unauthorized use of the country’s cultural heritage assets and thus preserve the cultural and historical heritage of the country for future generations.

Bulgaria, as a member of the EU, is obliged to comply with EU regulations and laws related to intellectual property rights. Therefore, intellectual property rights (IPR) in Bulgaria are generally governed by the same laws and regulations as in the rest of the European Union (EU).

In Bulgaria, there are several examples of how intellectual property rights (IPR) can be used to protect and monetize cultural heritage:

  • Trademarks: The ancient city of Plovdiv, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, registered its name as a trademark. This allows the city to protect its brand and prevent unauthorized commercial use of its name.
Renovated_house_in_Plovdiv old town,
Source: Wikipedia, https://bg.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Старинен_Пловдив
Renovated_house_in_Plovdiv old town,
Source: Wikipedia, https://bg.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Старинен_Пловдив
  • Copyright: The National Archaeological Institute and Museum of Bulgaria owns copyright on the images of the ancient Thracian treasures that are exhibited in the Archaeological Museum in Sofia. This allows the institute to control the reproduction and distribution of these images and generate revenue from licensing fees.
Thracian treasure in the National Archaeological Institute and Museum of Bulgaria.
Source: https://welcome.bg/listing/национален-археологически-институт/

Thracian treasure in the National Archaeological Institute and Museum of Bulgaria.
Source: https://welcome.bg/listing/национален-археологически-институт/
  • Patents: A Bulgarian company has developed a new method for the restoration of frescoes in churches and monasteries. They have patented this method, which allows them to control the use of the technology and charge fees for its implementation.
Frescoes of 11th-12th century, Boyana Church, Sofia, Bulgaria
Attribution: Ann Wuyts - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sofia_-_Boyana_Church_Apse_%284967294741%29.jpg, Creative Commons Attribution License
Frescoes of 11th-12th century, Boyana Church, Sofia, Bulgaria
Attribution: Ann Wuyts – https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sofia_-_Boyana_Church_Apse_%284967294741%29.jpg, Creative Commons Attribution License

  • Geographical indications: Bulgarian Rose Oil is an example of a product with registered geographical indications. Bulgaria has applications for entry of “Bulgarian yoghurt” as Protected Designations of Origin (PDO) in the European Register of Protected Designations of Origin and Protected Geographical Indications. This means that only products produced in a certain region and following certain rules can be labeled and sold as “Bulgarian yogurt”. This protects the reputation of the product and helps promote the region and its specific qualities with the proven health benefits of a probiotic superfood.

Now, you see with these small examples that by protecting and effectively managing IPR, their holders can promote the cultural heritage better, and at the same time generate revenues.

Many more examples and best practices can be found in the Learn-IP training program. Just follow the link to our interactive Learn-IP training platform for blended learning: https://moodle.learn-ip.eu

About Learn-IP project

The online training programme is developed 2020-2023 to support cultural heritage managers and cultural tourism actors with the effective use of digital technologies to check for compliance with IPR regulations. It will raise awareness of the many IPR regulations and their relevance for products and services.

The training programme will act as an online “guided tour” through IPR regulations and will indicate what can be done to legally protect your property, expertise and knowledge. It will provide transparency in a field that for many representatives of cultural heritage and cultural tourism is still a no man’s land. The training will also show when professional help is recommended.

Three learning materials are developed:

The main target groups are cultural, religious and creative tourism professionals, cultural workers and cultural/religious heritage managers. The secondary target group are training providers who will offer the training in the future.

The Learn-IP Training Programe is developed on 6 European langugaes: english, german, spanish, bulgarian, macedonian and romanian.

Project website: https://learn-ip.eu

Web-platform for Blended Learning “CreatINNES Academy”

Hallo! Здравейте! Helló! Здравo! Salut!

Our CreatINNES Project consortium is happy to announce that our web-platform for blended learning called “CreatINNES Academy” is ready. It is created under Erasmus+ Program with the participation of six partner organizations from Germany, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Hungary and France. The coordinator of the work on the development of the web-platform is the team of professionals of our Bulgarian partner Budakov Films EOOD.

What is “CreatINNES Academy”?

The web-platform “CreatINNES Academy” provides effective organization of the learning process and ensures secure access and registration of all users. It contains two training programs: “Entrepreneurship for CCI freelancers and startups” and “Creative Thinking for Innovation”. The training programs have been developed with the participation of all partners from the CreatINNES consortium. Each training program contains 8 modules with very well selected short-burst of information which is clear, concrete and easy to be memorized.

You can enter CreatINNES Academy by following the link: http://moodle.creatinnes.eu .  Create your user profile and start your learning journey.  

The Users of “CreatINNES Academy“

All interested students, organizations and people with activities or professions belonging to the Cultural and Creative Industries (CCI) ca be trained or can have self-training through the web-platform. Training Program 1 “Entrepreneurship for freelancers and startups” will fulfil their need for knowledge in business development, financing and IPR.  

Also, non-CCI startups and small companies who need more creativity in their working process are welcome. Training program 2 “Creative Thinking for Innovation” is for them.  

Navigation of “CreatINNES Academy”

“CreatINNES Academy” is aesthetically designed to provide easy, free and secure access for every user. The platform is based on the Moodle software package, designed to create web-based educational courses and websites. The “CreatINNES Academy” interface is designed to provide learners with easy-to-use learning materials in six different languages. For many potential users, may be, our training platform will be the first that they will use.

Website: www.creatinnes.eu    Facebook www.facebook.com/CreatINNES  Twitter  #creatinnes

CreatINNES presents the Training Program “Creative Thinking for Innovation”

The first second training program, called “Creative Thinking for Innovation” is aimed at non-CCI digital companies and startups who are facing the need for more creativity in their work.  Innovation is closely linked to creativity, thus, topics such as design thinking, branding, growth hacking, brainstorming and problem solving are covered in 8 modules. The focus is mainly on concept development and creative thinking. All modules are available in six languages: English, German, Bulgarian, Macedonian, Hungarian and French.

All partners of the CreatINNES consortium were involved in the content creation process. They created 26 exercises and 19 good practices to support the learning experience of the students. 

Learners have easy access to the training program. All modules are uploaded on a special training platform for blended learning “CreatINNES Academy”. CreatINNES Academy is an aesthetically designed web platform for providing easy, free and secure access. The platform is based on the Moodle software package, designed to create web-based educational courses and websites. The platform is currently being tested.

Website: www.creatinnes.eu    Facebook www.facebook.com/CreatINNES  Twitter  #creatinnes

CreatINNES presents the Training Program “Entrepreneurship for CCI Freelancers and Startups”

Training program 1 “Entrepreneurship for CC Freelancers and Startups”, CreatINNES project

The first training program, called “Entrepreneurship for CC Freelancers and Startups”, is aimed at freelancers, small companies and start-ups working in the cultural and creative sector. Topics such as business development, visualization, management, business plan, financing, intellectual property rights, digitalization and strategic growth are covered in 8 modules. It is available in six languages: English, German, Bulgarian, Macedonian, Hungarian and French.

All partners of the CreatINNES consortium were involved in the content creation process. They created 26 exercises and 19 good practices to support the learning experience of the students. 

Learners have easy access to the training program. All modules are uploaded on a special training platform for blended learning “CreatINNES Academy”. CreatINNES Academy is an aesthetically designed web platform for providing easy, free and secure access. The platform is based on the Moodle software package, designed to create web-based educational courses and websites. The platform is currently being tested.

Website: www.creatinnes.eu    Facebook www.facebook.com/CreatINNES  Twitter  #creatinnes

CreatINNES – Support for Freelancers and Startups from Cultural and Creative Industries

Hallo! Здравейте! Helló! Здравo! Salut!

Great news are coming! Within the European project “CreatINNES – Strategic Partnership for Innovation and Business Skills Development in Cultural and Creative Industries Sector”, two training programs for blended learning are already developed targeting Cultural and Creative Industries (CCI) in Europe.

We are six partner organizations INI-Novation GmbH (Germany), Budakov Films (Bulgaria), Business Information Center “INNOBRIDGE” (Bulgaria), Macedonian Enterprise Development Foundation (North Macedonia), Teleberry Kft (Hungary) and Alanam (France), and fully dedicated to our mission – to provide support for CCI startups and freelancers via innovative training programs based on knowledge co-creation and cross-sector collaboration between creativity and business.

CCI face Challenges

The Creative and Cultural Industries (CCI) are acknowledged as a source of copious innovation and a key driver for economic growth, increasing the competitiveness of the European economy, especially in specific sectors such as tourism, cultural heritage, and design. Despite its overall economic significance, the field of CCI has faced a lot of challenges, especially nowadays COVID-19 situation, when all industries slowed down their activities.  

The training programs are based on large-scale survey conducted in Germany, Bulgaria, Hungary, France and North Macedonia among CCI and business sectors there. Based on the received answers, skills gaps were identified and analysis of the training needs was prepared. By exploiting the mutually reinforcing impact of the two sectors, we developed CreatINNES Training Programs to support the innovation and growth of the economy in the European regions.

Two Multilingual Training Programs by CreatINNES

„Entrepreneurship for freelancers and startups“ and „Creative Thinking for Innovation“ are the two training programs developed by CreatINNES consortium. These programs will promote a range of skills needed by CCI entrepreneurs and start-up owners to be successful and thrive in today’s competitive world. Each training program contains 8 modules with very well selected short-burst of information which is clear, concrete and easy to be memorized. The training materials are short and clear enriched with good practices and current trends. Thanks to the practical tests for self-assessment after each module, the learners will be able to monitor their current progress. The training materials are organized in a way that allows learning at any time, in any place.

Easy Accesses for Learners

“CreatINNES Academy” is aesthetically designed web-platform to provide easy, free and secure access to the both Training Programs. The platform is based on the Moodle software package, designed to create web-based educational courses and websites. At the moment the platform is tested and analyses are prepared. The “CreatINNES Academy” web-platform will be available in the spring of 2021.

Dear Stakeholders, we developed CreatINNES Training Programs for blended learning with diligence and professionalism, because we believe that in this way we contribute to the development of the next generation of designers and creative entrepreneurs!

Soon, you will receive detailed information about both training programs.

More information about CreatINNES: www.creatinnes.eu

EUROPETOUR: Training modules co-developed by a European team of experts

2018-08-29 (44)INI-Novation Bulgaria committed to training in cultural tourism in Bulgaria:

In cooperation between INI-Novation and 15 European experts, nine training units for providers of cultural tourism products and services in rural areas were created. Herewith, the European initiative EUROPETOUR supports the economic development of rural cultural tourism.

 Over the past three years, the EUROPETOUR initiative has developed a modular training programme for cultural and touristic actors and institutions in rural areas in order to meet the needs and wishes of guests interested in culture even better and to make better use of the opportunities offered by social media. It is about destination characterization, development and positioning of touristic products and services, marketing strategy and planning, distribution and sales channels, communication strategy and planning, networking and cooperation, financial planning, development of a business plan.

The training modules are available free of charge in German, English, Spanish, Romanian, Bulgarian, Italian and Polish at www.europetour.tips  and are already being successfully used for training in eight European regions.

Social media as a focal point of training in cultural tourism

Separate “Guidelines for Social Media in Rural Cultural Tourism” provide practical tips for the successful use of social media in rural cultural tourism and evaluate success factors of already existing good examples from all over Europe. For INI-Novation, this guide is particularly important: “The social media in particular can be of great help in attracting and satisfying guests, but we need in-depth knowledge for professional use, which EUROPETOUR now provides us with”.

Training modules for the European tourism market

In addition to INI-Novation Bulgaria, the European regions and countries Bukovina (Romania), Heilbronner Land (Germany), Cantabria (Spain), the Marche (Italy) and the Europe-wide network “Future for Religious Heritage”, the German cultural tourism network KIRA for Heilbronn-Franken, the German-Polish network “Klosterland” and the Austrian network “Kreativ Reisen Österreich” contributed to the development.

INI-Novation Bulgaria is proud to have participated in the development of the training units, “because we were able to bring in experience from our background as business developers and marketing expetrs and thus ensure that the training units start exactly where is need further training and can immediately apply it in practice,” says Angela Ivanova, project manager for Bulgaria.

The EUROPETOUR initiative has now been awarded the European Heritage Year Label by the European Commission – an award for projects promoting the preservation of cultural heritage. “We are of course particularly proud of this sign of European appreciation for our region”, says Angela Ivanova.

For further information:

Angela Ivanova

Angela Ivanova, EUROPETOUR project manager for Bulgaria

Email: angela.ivanova@ini-novation.com

 

 

 

EUROPETOUR team with Angela Ivanova INI-Novation Bulgaria OOD

Europetour Team with Angela Ivanova INI-Novation Bulgaria

 

 

 

INI-Novation Bulgaria is a host of training sessions for cultural tourism start-ups

Training Event in Cultural Tourism in BulgariaThe city of Veliko Tarnovo, a hotbed for cultural traditions & crafts production in north central  Bulgaria, hosted the training session, organized by INI-Novation Bulgaria, as part of the International Tourism Fair “Cultural Tourism”. 

This event proved to be a great success: representatives from municipalities, art organisations, tourism agencies and single start-ups showed a lot of interest in the presentations of EUROPETOUR partners Karin Drda-Kühn (Kultur und Arbeit e.V., Germany), Angela Ivanova (INI-Novation), Wolfgang Kniejski (INI-Novation), Lacramioara Beilic (Bucovina Tourism, Romania) and Antonio Kuzmanovski (Macedonian start-up “WheninX“).

 

THE MULTIPLIER EVENT

After an introduction about the vision of EUROPETOUR by Karin Drda-Kühn (Kultur und Arbeit e.V., Germany), Angela Ivanova (INI-Novation Bulgaria) presented the EUROPETOUR training modules and one of the main topics of interest for the Bulgarian tourism stakeholders and mainly startups in tourism: Positioning, branding, marketing of cultural tourism in rural areas and the importance of networking. Her presentation was built on so called case-based learning: By providing a best practice example surrounded by theoretical knowledge and practical exercises, a better understanding about the specifics of the topic was achieved.

After that, Lacramioara Beilic (Bucovina Tourism, Romania) presented the region of Bucovina as a best practice example and opportunity for collaboration between Bulgarian and Romanian stakeholders. She highlight her “vision for networking”, sharing what the Bucovina region did for addressing the specific needs of cultural travellers in a successful way.

Wolfgang Kniejski (INI-Novation Bulgaria) gave a deep overview of financing instruments with special emphasis on topics such as value generation chains in cultural tourism, business planning, sales and distribution, as well as market-oriented financing. Best practise examples were provided and many insides about how to build a successful project idea were discussed.

At the end, a best practice presentation about distribution policies from Macedonia complemented the event. Antonio Kuzmanovski, CEO of the Macedonian start-up “WheninX“, presented a service-driven technological solution for fostering cultural programmes for locals and visitors.

Europetour training in Bulgaria 33971631466_d080af6a3a_z 33169478374_9be9af874b_z 17880695_10212837586880865_4266988205923104604_o

 

EUROPETOUR – new training for cultural tourism in rural areas

A young girl by cell phone photographed of The smallest cathedral in the world, church of the Holy cross, Nin, Croatia

A young girl by cell phone photographed of The smallest cathedral in the world, church of the Holy cross, Nin, Croatia

Being successful in cultural tourism needs training for cultural workers, tourism experts, business developers and representatives of public authorities. In urban areas there already are numerous examples for successful cooperation, but good practice in rural areas is rather rare. Specifically, training is needed in professionally using social media and online marketing of tourism services. Identifying the actual training needs is one of the objectives of EUROPETOUR and developing a detailed training program accordingly. EUROPETOUR will be implemented until 2018 in eight European regions, supported by the European ERASMUS+ programme.

First of all, the project partners aim at identifying the necessary steps for successful cultural tourism development in rural areas. In a second step, training modules for local stakeholders wishing to develop or foster their own skills are established, including guidelines for the use of social media as well as online marketing in cultural heritage, and cultural tourism. The guidelines will be available in seven European languages in order to get European outreach.

European travellers on their way to discover cultural heritage

Additionally, all project partners to EUROPETOUR have committed to developing networked, tangible offers and ready-made packages across Europe. In this way, travellers with a special interest in, say, castles and monasteries or creative travel, should end up with a tailor-made travel arrangement allowing them to explore the Italian region Marke, the Spanish region Cantabria or the German region of the Heilbronner Land in a similar way. Opportunities provided by social media as well as the use of mobile devices, such as smartphones or tablets, are to be directly addressed. The goal is to generate income for cultural tourism stakeholders, to develop attractive packages for cultural travellers and to benefit from the best-practice examples demonstrated by the project partners across Europe.

Participating partners and cultural touristic networks

Contacts:

Project coordinator: Karin Drda-Kuehn, info@europetour.tips(link sends e-mail), phone 0049 7931 56 36 374

Project manager for Bulgaria: Angela Ivanova, angela.ivanova@ini-novation.com, phone 0049 1521 72 90 945, or 00359 885 128 877

Web-page EUROPETOUR: https://www.europetour.tips/

 

 

Source: https://ec.europa.eu/epale/de/node/17663