Spark!2 Program Series: Regional Development and Cultural Tourism – Current Experiences and Overview
The Spark!2 Program Series has been successfully launched with the support of local rural development action groups (LAGs). The program aims to promote regional development and cultural tourism, with a particular focus on creative industries and sustainable tourism. The involvement of local businesses proposed by the Zirc, Velence and Völgyvidék LAGs has facilitated the effective launch of the program. This network has proven particularly useful, as capacity building for businesses operating in rural areas can be achieved more effectively through the LAGs.
Program Status
The Spark!2 program series has completed its first two workshops, which focused on setting personal goals and developing sustainability strategies. These events provided an excellent foundation for participants to determine how their businesses can fit into the digital and green transition of the future. The workshops were interactive, allowing entrepreneurs to share their own experiences and gain practical solutions for achieving their sustainability goals.
Next Steps
The next phase of the program will be the Service Development and Value Proposition workshop, where participants will focus on how to make their value propositions unique in order to gain a competitive advantage in the market. This will be followed by individual mentoring sessions, during which participants will receive personalized advice and practical support to refine their business models, particularly in the areas of digitalization and sustainability.
Significance of the program
The Spark!2 program plays a particularly important role in enabling small and medium-sized enterprises in Hungary to participate in the digital and green transition. The program offers not only environmental benefits but also economic advantages, as it contributes to increasing competitiveness by developing sustainable and innovative business models.
Summary
The initial experiences of the Spark!2 program series show that local communities and businesses are open to acquiring and applying new knowledge, especially in the areas of sustainability and digitalization. The mentoring phase of the program offers even greater opportunities for participants to develop their business models, thereby contributing to sustainable economic growth and the competitiveness of the Central European region.