The training for educators, "Service Design in Action: Experimental Teaching Methods and Tools for Enhancing Competence in Green Tourism (Practical Case: Design Sprint)," took place from January 21 to 24, 2025, at Comrat State University as part of the "ENRICHER hubs" ERASMUS-EDU-2022-CBHE-STRAND-2 project and included, in addition to lectures from experts from European partner universities, practical assignments for participants and interactive activities. On the first day, participants conducted interviews with local experts and representatives of Gagauzia’s tourism sector. Experts included Irina Odnostalko, Maria Kara (Tourism Development Department, Executive Committee of ATU Gagauzia); Svetlana Gradinar (Head of the Regional Policy and External Relations Department, Regional Development Agency of ATU Gagauzia); Liubov Mitioglo (Tekwill, ICT hub); Valentina Kaledji (NGO "Pro-Europa"); Larisa Statova (Director of "Lara Tour" travel agency); Anna Statova (Founder and Director of the Ethno-Tourism Complex Gagauz Sofrasi #gagauz_sofrasi), who are interested in implementing the "ENRICHER hubs" project. The discussions were aimed at obtaining primary data about the situation in the tourism sector and the challenges faced by tourism businesses in Moldova. The experts also shared positive practices and unique experiences and talked about projects being implemented in the tourism sector. Information about Gagauzia’s tourism sector was also provided to the training participants through the informational booklet "Discover the Region Development of ATU Gagauzia," which was prepared within the "ENRICHER hubs" project by the Regional Development Agency of Gagauzia. The booklet was presented on the first day of the training, and each participant received a copy. The data obtained allowed training participants, who worked in groups on formulating tasks and problems facing the tourism sector and specific tourism service providers, to propose their own projects for the tourism sector. The focus was on the sustainability of projects as well as the implementation of green tourism technologies. Each project presented on the final day of the training was the result of teamwork by groups of 5-6 participants, who visualized their ideas and demonstrated how the tourism sector could develop through the implementation of modern practices while taking into account the experience of service providers. All five projects presented by the training participants considered the interest of potential tourists in getting to know Gagauz culture, the desire to learn about traditions, and the opportunity to participate in master classes and other activities for tourists. All the ideas presented by the training participants were evaluated by experts, and each team presented their project, having three minutes to describe their idea and highlight the most advantageous aspects of their proposal. The participants also voted for the best project. The winners received prizes from the trainers, and all participants received feedback from the experts and trainers regarding the strengths and weaknesses of each project. Experts, including tourism professionals, saw new, often unconventional perspectives on the possibilities of developing local and regional tourism. Larisa Statova, Director of "Lara Tour" and a representative of the Gagauz Sofrasi Ethno-Tourism Complex, evaluated the projects from a practical perspective, expressing her opinion on the feasibility of implementing the presented ideas at Gagauz Sofrasi. The experts also proposed closer cooperation with Comrat State University and expressed their readiness to share their experience as much as possible in training students, providing opportunities for internships and practical training in tourism facilities. The training participants worked on their educational projects with great interest and saw how the methods used could be applied in student lessons, facilitate idea generation, and allow testing and verification of ideas before implementing them in practice.

Тренинг организован в рамках Проект Erasmus+#erasmusplus ENRICHER hubs #enricherhubs– «Разработка концепции зеленого туризма посредством обучения» (номер проекта: 101082919) финансируется Европейским Союзом и внедряется членами консорциума: координатор (грантхолдер) проекта -  #Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences #MCI The Entrepreneurial School #University of Genova #USM #Facultatea Științe Economice, USM #USPEE „Constantin Stere” #KDU #Комратский Государственный Университет #KutaisiStateUniversity   #CaucasusUniversity #Akaki Tsereteli State University

The Erasmus+ ENRICHER hubs project – “Designing Green Tourism Concept through Learning” (Project number: 101082919) is funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them. Project is implemented by the consortium members: project grant coordinator - Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences (Finland); MCI The Entrepreneurial school® (Austria); University of Genoa (Italy); Caucasus University (Georgia), Akaki Tsereteli State University (Georgia), Iakob Gogebashvili Telavi State University (Georgia); University of European Political and Economic Studies Constantin Stere (Moldova), Moldova State University (Moldova), Comrat State University (Moldova).