Tourism operators in the Black Sea region lack the knowledge, tools, and guidance to apply sustainable (ESG – Environment, Social, Governance) practices, resulting in resource-intensive, waste-generating operations that threaten both environmental goals and their own long-term viability. SUSTAIN-2 provides a transnational, AI-supported sustainability framework that combines awareness, training, pilot implementations, and innovative tools to enable tourism operators to adopt, apply, and sustain ESG-aligned practices.
https://blacksea-cbc.net/interreg-next-bsb-2021-2027/projects/bsb00755
SUSTAIN-2 is a transnational project funded by the Interreg NEXT Black Sea Basin Programme, bringing together partners from Greece, Moldova, Bulgaria, Türkiye and Ukraine. The project aims to support the transition of small and micro enterprises in the tourism sector, particularly in the Food & Beverage (F&B) industry, towards more sustainable and competitive business models.
To address SMEs’ limited capacity to adopt complex sustainability frameworks, SUSTAIN-2 develops a Simplified Sustainability Model (SSM) supported by an Artificial Intelligence Recommendation System (AIRES). These tools provide practical, step-by-step guidance tailored to the needs and characteristics of small businesses.
Through training activities, pilot implementations in all participating countries, and the development of the EduConnect digital platform, the project promotes knowledge sharing, capacity building and long-term collaboration. By combining sustainability principles with digital innovation, SUSTAIN-2 contributes to a smarter, more resilient and environmentally responsible tourism ecosystem in the Black Sea region.