The Project known as Incircle (Support INsular and low-density areas in the transition towards a more CIRCuLar tourism Economy) aims to tackle the pressing environmental challenges associated with tourism in the Mediterranean region. Tourism serves as a crucial economic driver in this area, but it also leaves a significant environmental footprint, characterized by increased air emissions, water waste, excessive production of waste, energy waste, and high levels of noise pollution. The INCIRCLE initiative brings together six countries—Italy, Spain, Greece, Cyprus, Albania, and Malta—in a concerted effort to address these issues. Building upon the successes of previous projects such as BLUE ISLANDS, EMBLEMATIC, CASTWATER, MITOMED, ALTERECO, LOCATIONS, and AcT4LITTER, INCIRCLE aims to pioneer a new methodology applying the principles of circular economy to the tourism sector. This approach, tailored specifically for islands and low-density areas, focuses on enhancing mobility, improving energy efficiency, optimizing the use of limited resources such as water, and reducing waste production. Ultimately, the goal is to not only mitigate the environmental impact of tourism but also to enhance the overall quality of life for residents and visitors alike.

The SD-WISHEES project will enable the collaboration between national research and innovation funding members to address together the protection of cultural heritage in Europe and beyond, in a context of climate change characterised by more frequent and severe hydroclimatic extreme events (e.g., droughts and floods). The project, in fact, will support the implementation of multi-annual joint activities focusing on the better understanding and the identification of best adaptation solutions that can be put in place in response to such catastrophic hydroclimatic events.

1. Establish a collaborative framework for sustainable policy-making in vulnerable MED tourist territories.
2. Implement an integrated approach to sustainable tourism planning, prioritizing resource preservation.
3. Test a circular economy methodology tailored to the unique needs of islands and low-density areas.
4. Address mobility, energy efficiency, water usage, and waste production challenges while enhancing community well-being.
5. Develop durable tools for MED decision makers to assess and plan sustainability in resource-scarce regions.
6. Identify funding opportunities and facilitate replication of successful sustainability initiatives.
7. Advocate for the integration of results into regional, national, and European policies for sustainable development in the Mediterranean.

• INCIRCLE knowledge platform: A web platform, freely accessible (even beyond the project’s end) to policy makers and tourist stakeholders interested in getting preliminary feedback about the level of sustainability of their policies including recommendations and guidance for improvement. This platform can be accessed through the following link: https://incircle-kp.eu/
• INCIRCLE set of circular tourism indicators: A set of indicators leading to the assessment of tourism circularity in 16 tourist destinations (5 local, 5 regional, 6 new MED regions). The indicators will be available in the INCIRCLE platform to further support policy makers and stakeholders in better managing and monitoring their sustainability practices and policies in a CE perspective.
• INCIRCLE demonstrators: 5 partner local territories (Palma, Himara, Gozo, Larnaca, Rethymno) acting as Pilot demonstrators by testing existing CE solutions (regarding energy efficiency and RES, sustainable mobility, water and waste treatment) and by monitoring results of the solutions.
• INCIRCLE Regional/National Strategies: 5 partner regions developing strategies regarding the transition towards a more Circular regional tourism.

INCIRCLE replicators: 6 new MED regional territories re-testing the INCIRCLE methodological approach and developing their own circular tourism strategies.