Progetto DIANA – Developing Inclusive and Accessible Natural Areas
Duration: January 2024 – August 2025
Financed by “ERASMUS+ Programme of the European Union Grant Agreement n. 2023-2-IT01- KA210-VET-000175181”
General Project Objective: Promote culturally inclusive participation of tourists with disabilities and special needs in visiting protected natural areas, breaking down barriers and transforming the limitation into a resource on which to base the visit itinerary, through the strengthening of the skills and accessible hospitality of tour operators working in natural areas, in particular environmental and hiking guides.
DIANA project
For the Romans, Diana was the guardian goddess of the springs, mistress of the forests, protector of wild animals.For the Romans, Diana was the guardian goddess of the springs, mistress of the forests, protector of wild animals. The same name, connected to the same environments, is linked to the birth of the Erasmus+ project D.I.A.N.A. – Development Inclusive and Accessible Natural Areas – which focuses on expanding the tourism offer in Europe, making products and services more sustainable and of higher quality.
A key area for improvement is accessibility for all, ensuring that protected natural areas are accessible to all types of visitors.
Project Partners
The project is being implemented under the Erasmus+ programme – KA210 Small-Scale Partnerships – by three European organisations from:
Italia (DAFNE Soc. Coop.),
Macedonia (ABAT BALKANIA, Association for Alternative Tourism),
Spain (KOAN Consulting, consulting company)
to support and improve the accessibility of protected natural areas, initially in Italy and Macedonia.
Why this project?
The driving roots of DIANA are motivated by the desire for inclusive cultural participation, starting with the improvement of the accessible hospitality skills of nature guides in protected natural areas in the Liguria region and several areas in Macedonia. This includes training activities aimed at fostering the social inclusion of travellers with physical and cognitive disabilities, respecting and enhancing their identity within the tourism industry.
What will be the outcome?
A Compendium of Best Practices in Accessibility and Inclusive Tourism: This is a unique document collecting best practices and accessible solutions implemented in wilderness areas around the world.
A Toolkit for Accessible and Inclusive Tourism, i.e. a practical handbook for nature guides, containing theoretical explanations and practical tips to promote and realise inclusive tours in natural areas.
The DIANA Erasmus+ project aims to create lasting change in the tourism sector by reducing barriers to accessibility and promoting more inclusive and sustainable tourism.
Expected results include increased participation of travellers with disabilities in tourism activities in protected natural areas and an overall improvement in the quality of services offered.
For more details, visit the official project website www.dianaerasmus.eu
