Circularity in sport tourism – the right path to destination

2026-07-22

The LISTEN project (Circularity in Sport Tourism – The Right Path to Destination) aims to establish a sustainable and inclusive sport tourism framework by integrating circular economy principles into grassroots sport organizations. The project directly supports the EU Work Plan for Sport (2024–2027), the European Green Deal, and Erasmus+ priorities, addressing environmental sustainability, policy integration, and social inclusion within sport tourism. Sport tourism is a rapidly growing sector, but its sustainability remains underdeveloped due to resource-intensive practices, seasonality, and accessibility barriers. LISTEN responds to these challenges by developing the Circular Sport Tourism Advisory System (CSTAS) – a structured, scalable, and practical framework designed to help sport organizations implement sustainable tourism models. CSTAS provides guidelines, digital tools, and policy recommendations to promote responsible tourism and circular economy practices. The project is structured into four key phases: 1. Context Analysis and Stakeholder Engagement – Identifying best practices, conducting research, and engaging sport federations and policymakers. 2. CSTAS Development and Piloting – Designing the framework, testing it in selected sport clubs, and refining it based on feedback. 3. Dissemination and Policy Integration – Engaging policymakers to integrate CSTAS into national and EU sustainability policies. 4. Long-Term Sustainability – Establishing the CSTAS Digital Hub and Help Desk for continuous knowledge-sharing and implementation support. By enhancing environmental sustainability, inclusion, and digital innovation, LISTEN will bridge the gap between EU policy and local sport tourism initiatives, ensuring long-term impact. The project empowers sport clubs, strengthens governance, and promotes sustainable travel, making sport tourism a key driver of Europe’s sustainability transition.

Lithuania, Latvia, Cyprus

2026-02-01