On 22 May 2026, the RECIRCLE MED project successfully organised its Local Capacity Building Workshop in Ohrid, North Macedonia, bringing together local stakeholders, tourism actors, experts, and representatives of the academic community to strengthen capacities for the implementation of blue and circular tourism approaches.
Hosted at Hotel Millenium Palace in Ohrid, the workshop aimed to enhance local knowledge and skills, supporting stakeholders in the adaptation of the RECIRCLE MED Blueprint and the implementation of local Action Plans for Circular Tourism. The event was designed around the specific needs of local actors, creating a collaborative space for learning, exchange of experiences, and the co-creation of sustainable tourism solutions.
Throughout the workshop, participants explored key concepts related to the integration of blue economy and circular economy principles into tourism, while discussing opportunities and challenges for applying these approaches within the local context.
The first session, “Circular and Blue Economy Integration in Tourism”, was delivered by Professor Aleksandar Trajkov from the Faculty of Tourism – Ohrid. The session introduced participants to the importance of transitioning towards more sustainable tourism models and highlighted the role of circular practices in enhancing environmental responsibility and local value creation.
Following the presentation, participants took part in interactive working groups and practical exercises, sharing feedback and experiences from their respective fields. These discussions enabled local actors to identify current challenges and opportunities while exploring how blue and circular tourism concepts can be translated into practical actions.
The second session focused on Blueprint Implementation and was presented by Professor Sasho Korunovski from the Faculty of Tourism – Ohrid. Participants gained a deeper understanding of the RECIRCLE MED Blueprint and discussed ways to apply its principles in response to local tourism needs and priorities.
The final and most participatory part of the workshop focused on the co-design of Blue Action Plans for Circular Tourism. Through a collaborative process involving local stakeholders and experts, participants worked together to identify gaps, challenges, and opportunities, contributing to the development of locally adapted actions that support sustainable tourism transformation.
The workshop concluded with a wrap-up session where key outcomes were discussed and next steps for continued cooperation were identified. The active engagement of local stakeholders demonstrated the importance of capacity building and participatory approaches in advancing blue and circular tourism solutions across Mediterranean destinations.
Through activities such as this workshop, RECIRCLE MED continues to support local communities and tourism ecosystems in developing more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable tourism models based on cooperation, knowledge exchange, and innovation.
