Europe Meets Europe & Beyond

Objectives to be achieved: Living Stone Dialoog vzw is a CSR initiative of the Belgian tour operator Joker. LS Dialoog mission is to implement tourism as leverage for sustainable development and intercultural dialogue. Its strategic objective consists of “the co-development and co-implementation of touristic instruments for local economic and social empowerment “. Main  activities are (www.lsdialoog.com):  development and implementation of vocational training (SME business development, tour leading, hospitality) sensitization and enhancement of the sustainable tourism concept strengthening mutual understanding and solidarity through networking and ex-change. Inclusive entrepreneurship is about a set of attitudes, competences and skills which allow people to turn their dreams into concrete projects or “enterprises” and then see these through to fruition. (Wikipedia). The objective of the project aims to empower youngsters to become self-reliant to take responsibility for their own destiny and that of their surroundings, heading for a better life, away from poverty. This by setting up and supporting an innovative and tangible environment where dreams from young entrepreneurs can be realised.in a profitable and attractive way. The origin of the project idea lays in the price ‘Home in the City’ the organisation Micro Marché received from the Flemish Minister for urban policy. The jury saw in the project an exemple how urbanity goes hand in hand with thinking about new forms of public-private cooperation, economics, culture and tourism, intercultural work and the reaching of  various groups. Micro Marche and Viavia Traveller Cafe have founded a cooperation in Brussels. Their collaboration will inspire the creation of our project: a EU oriented, value and profit driven cooperative concept for  young target groups.

Main transnational activities (as provisionally planned, to be confirmed with partners): Micro Marché offers Brussels artists and designers the chance to sell their products on a legal and commercial way. ViaVia Traveller Café has proven to be a successful concept in developing countries and in Belgium. In average, each of these 15 independent organisations employs among 20 to 30, mostly young people. The strength of the ViaVia concept lies in the strong embedding with the local environment, and their holistic approach of tourism. Our project aims to design and implement a cooperative concept were young entrepreneurs with different backgrounds will work and create together. This should become a perfect example of the ‘United in diversity’ principle. The total realization includes the development of: Embryo of Local Social-economic Development: direct and indirect employment (the exploitation of a contemporary, present-day café/restaurant; providing travel information; the organizing of alternative visits and tours, the fact that tourism is a lever for many other sectors). Embryo van Local Cultural Development:  e.a as forum for artists, by organizing exhibitions, performances, sales,  Embryo van Locale Capacity strengthening by organizing education and training, and enhancing an international mentality.   Strengthening European solidarity and commitment to the EU ideal.. The intended activities of the TNC are to adapt this concept to the local environment, and to strengthen the different embryos thanks to the multiple and diverse perspectives of the related partners. Innovative is the combination of a holistic concept, strong embedded in the local community, the ‘think global, act local’ approach. This based on independent initiatives of local individual entrepreneurs. Values are Openness, Equality, Dialogue and Amazement. The TNC is based on a learn, do and share approach between partners. Together we will exchange our knowledge and experience, conceptualize the project, create the added value, evaluate and ameliorate. But the local implementation, financement and monitoring is a sovereign decision of the local partners. 

Planned deliverables & outcomes of TNC: Our intention is a joint development. The final ambition is the construction and development of interactive meeting places in the EU, Flanders included. In  this a holistic concept the different domains encounters and inspires each other. They are linked to a young, active lifestyle, and to an European network.But nevertheless the concept is the same, they all are different. We are not creating a mono-culture. On the opposite: the growth of each entity is based on the local culture, and on the input and management of the local participants.’ Diversity is Strength’ is our motto. Today tourism product offer is shifting from a ‘product and service’ approach to an ‘experience and transformation’ one. So the expected outcomes should be contemporary and innovative in order to meet competition. Outcomes for youngsters by youngsters. Each entity should be profitable, and should take in consideration the sustainable effects it has on people and planet. The realization of the project will creates without any doubt employment. Next to the café / restaurant  activities people may be  needed to organize , theme weeks, art exhibitions, music, eventually lectures, language- and gastronomy courses, presentations on cultural and thinking patterns, codes, worldviews, alternative visits in the local town, daytrips to the surroundings, organize travel information, etc….This may lead to new cooperation’s between tourism entrepreneurs, restaurant keepers, tour guides, artists, designers, transporters, farmers,… The development of human capital is part of the project. LS Dialoog has acquired a recognised knowledge and expertise in this matter. We already pointed out that tourism offers a high accessibility for low-skilled people, national minorities, woman,  It should be clear that this project is oriented for and towards young people. (between 18 and 30years old) This project offers an opportunity to organize a network and exchanges between young Europeans. A creation of a virtual counter will strengthen this. This project creates also the perfect environment to strengthen the European ideal and spirit.