The SOCRAT Strategy and Methodology were presented in the Kvarner Region
On 18th December in Opatija, a meeting within the EU project SOCRAT – Socializing Craft & Contemporary Art for Sustainable Tourism brought together representatives of the cultural, creative, and civil society sectors. The project strategy, Creative Living Labs, and key activities planned for 2026 in the Kvarner Region were presented, highlighting collaboration and sustainable tourism development based on local creativity and heritage.
Tekst: A meeting with representatives of the artistic sector, cultural and creative industries, and civil society organizations (associations) was held on the 18th of December in Opatija, Kvarner, within the framework of the EU project SOCRAT – Socializing Craft & Contemporary Art for Sustainable Tourism.
Presentation of the project strategy and methodology
During the meeting, participants were introduced to the SOCRAT strategy and the joint cross-border methodology developed within the project.
Special emphasis was placed on the Experimental Laboratories (Creative Living Labs) — comprehensive, temporary labs where selected artists, cultural and creative craftspeople and representatives of civil society will come together to jointly develop innovative cultural tourism products and/or services.
Upcoming activities
A number of activities are planned within the SOCRAT project during 2026 in the Kvarner Region, including:
Experimental Laboratories, in which selected representatives of the artistic sector, cultural and creative industries, and civil society organizations (associations) will develop new cultural tourism products and/or services, supported by a mentor from Italy, thereby strengthening cross-border cooperation between Croatia and Italy;
Organization of a round table with relevant stakeholders from the public sector, the economy, creative industries, and tourism, aimed at discussing opportunities for the application of the SOCRAT model;
Implementation of training programmes to strengthen the capacities of tourism and cultural professionals through lectures and hands-on workshops based on a manual developed within the project.
The goal of these training activities is to enhance the competencies of local tourism stakeholders, transfer the SOCRAT model into practice, promote sustainable and responsible tourism, and encourage authentic and resilient tourism development in the Kvarner Region.
Stakeholder engagement and further development
An important component of the project is the collection of participant feedback through evaluation questionnaires, with the aim of further improving the developed tools and ensuring their effectiveness in strengthening local capacities.
The SOCRAT project highlights the importance of connecting culture, creativity, and tourism, demonstrating how collaboration among local stakeholders can contribute to the development of sustainable tourism models that respect the identity of destinations and local communities.
Photo credit: Archive of the Kvarner Region Tourist Board