Balkan International Academy Foundation

European projects

The foundation takes part as a partner in European cooperation projects funded by the Erasmus+ programme. Through them it develops training and dissemination for rural communities, sustainable tourism and cultural heritage.

Green Agritainment

Erasmus+ KA220-VET · Project 2024-1-IE01-KA220-VET-000254134 · September 2024 – August 2026 · Coordinator: University of Galway · Role: Partner

Green Agritainment — VET strategies for Edutainment in European Agritourism develops vocational education and training (VET) strategies that combine agritourism, sustainability and educational entertainment. The project aims to enhance skills, promote green practices and support rural development across Europe.

Outcomes:

WP2 Handbook of VET training practices (multi-language)
VET training practices for trainers and agritourism operators
MOOC / online learning pathway
Impact and quality measurement approach for learning and sustainability outcomes

Green Agritainment in Bulgaria: key practices and pilot focus

Within the Green Agritainment consortium, the foundation supports piloting and dissemination in Bulgaria with a focus on place-based learning and cultural sustainability. The approach translates local heritage and green skills into training activities that VET trainers can deliver in real agritourism settings:

Designing eco-routes and interpretive farm walks
Zero-waste rural kitchens (local ingredients, circular practices)
Wild herbs and green cuisine (foraging, preservation, storytelling)
Crafts and pottery as cultural assets for agritourism experiences
Guesthouse sustainability self-audit and improvement plan
Tasting events connecting local producers with visitors

greenagritainment.com · Project results · EU project record

Articles on EPALE, the European platform for adult learning:

Project videos: 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7

EUNE-CPTRA

Erasmus+ KA220-VET · 2021–2023 · Role: Partner

The European Network for the Promotion of Culinary and Proximity Tourism in Rural Areas (EUNE-CPTRA) created a European network promoting culinary heritage and proximity tourism in rural areas. It supported cooperation between training institutions, tourism operators and local stakeholders to strengthen regional identity and sustainable tourism models.

Outcomes:

Qualitative needs analysis model
Digital course (MOOC) for tourism sector workers
International network for knowledge exchange
Multiplier events and dissemination activities

Project team

Dr. Marco Paret, Director of the foundation. Dr. Ester Patricia Ceresa, project coordination and dissemination: communication, reporting support, stakeholder relations and visibility activities for EU-funded projects.

Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.