BESST: Business and Environment Linked through Small-Scale Tourism

Programme 2000 - 2006 North Sea Region

Date of latest update: 2021-04-06

Description

Description (EN):

BESST aimed to stimulate economic development of rural areas based on the environmental distinctiveness of the partner regions. Therefore the project developed and tested a new approach (“Virtuous Spiral”) by linking spatial and economic development with environmental conservation to improve the quality of life in rural areas.

Achievements (EN):

Combining the assets of environment and heritage the BESST project has developed opportunities for small-scale tourism economic activities in rural peripheral areas. This led to a new and increased awareness of the environmental qualities and heritage of the involved regions. Businesses used local environmental assets as a means of promoting their business. Connecting economy and environment and creating a well-known label for environmental friendly businesses created a win-win situation for the entrepreneurs. One of the main achievements was that BESST increased local ‘pride in the places’. A new awareness of, and pride in their environmental qualities and heritage, and a growing recognition of and pride in their neighbours, colleagues and businesses was established. This raised the awareness to live in ‘a place with a future as well as a place with a past’ and that the locals were able to create a better future for themselves and their communities. During the implementation a powerful sense of shared values was built up by the public administrations and private businesses. It was based on mutual respect and driven by the principle of caring for, and using, the environment. In many cases the project has exceeded expectations and achieved or inspired unforeseen lasting benefits. A survey on the impacts of the project revealed positive effects on businesses: The marketing, promotion and networking opportunities created by BESST were significant. Furthermore, businesses were encouraged to use ICT more effectively and new collaborations created new business and social links and greater community cohesion.

Thematic information

Tourism Rural and peripheral development SME and entrepreneurship

Partners (4)

Lead Partner: Peak District National Park Authority

Address: Aldern House, Baslow Road, DE45 1AE Derby, United Kingdom

Legal status: n/a

Fyresdal Municipality

Name: Fyresdal Municipality

Address: Kommunehuset, 3870 Fyresdal, Norway

Legal status: n/a

Hylte Municipality

Name: Hylte Municipality

Address: Storgatan 8, 314 80 Hyltebruk, Sweden

Legal status: n/a

University of Derby

Name: University of Derby

Address: Kedleston Road, DE22 1GB Derby, United Kingdom

Legal status: n/a

Partners map

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Project name (EN): BESST: Business and Environment Linked through Small-Scale Tourism

Project acronym: BESST

Project start date: 2006-09-30

Project end date: 2008-03-31

Project status: closed

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 2 100 000.00

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 1 050 000.00

Co-financing sources:

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

Financing programme

2000 - 2006 North Sea Region

Last month that data in keep.eu was retrieved from the Programme's website or received from the Programme

2019-04-25

No. of projects in keep.eu / Total no. of projects (% of projects in keep.eu)

70 / 70 (100%)

No. of project partnerships in keep.eu / Total no. of project partnerships (% of project partnerships in keep.eu)

557 / 557 (100%)

Notes on the data

Languages

Contact Form

BESST: Business and Environment Linked through Small-Scale Tourism

Description

Thematic information

Partners (4)

Partners map

Summary

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

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