Moldova State University Joins Forces as a Partner in the INTERSMARTS Project to Advance Sustainable Tourism and Blue Growth in the Black Sea Basin

Moldova State University is proud to announce its active participation as a partner in the groundbreaking project “INTERSMARTS: Interdisciplinary Solutions for Smart Sustainable Tourism and Services for Blue Growth in the Black Sea Basin”, co-funded by the INTERREG NEXT Black Sea Basin Programme 2021-2027.

This ambitious project aims to transform the tourism and services sectors within the Black Sea Basin by focusing on sustainability, innovation, and collaborative knowledge sharing. Moldova State University joins forces with partners from Bulgaria, Greece, Türkiye, and other stakeholders in the region to support smart and sustainable solutions for tourism, aligning with the principles of blue growth.

The INTERSMARTS project is designed to enhance the sustainability performance and innovation absorption of the tourism and services sectors through:

  • Interdisciplinary Research: Addressing key challenges related to sustainability and innovation in tourism.
  • Networking and Co-Creation: Establishing an open, interdisciplinary network for applied research and technology transfer.
  • Raising Awareness: Promoting the knowledge-intensive nature of tourism within the blue growth framework.

A core aspect of the project is its alignment with the quintuple innovation helix model, which integrates academia, businesses, government, civil society, and the environment to foster a collaborative knowledge economy for sustainable development in the Black Sea Basin.

The INTERSMARTS project will deliver significant results, including:

  • The INTERSMARTS Network: A platform for interdisciplinary collaboration, with task forces focusing on sustainable infrastructure, resource management, anti-pollution measures, waste management, seasonality solutions, and technology transfer.
  • Needs Assessment Research: A comprehensive analysis of sustainability and blue growth challenges in the tourism and services sectors, providing valuable insights for the region.
  • Innovation Management Platform: A cutting-edge database showcasing novel solutions and technological advancements to improve sustainable tourism practices. The platform will also feature idea-generation and crowd-sourcing functionalities.
  • Transnational Events: Four interdisciplinary research and networking events in Bulgaria, Republic of Moldova, Greece, and Türkiye, aimed at fostering collaboration and generating actionable solutions for smart and sustainable tourism.

The project is co-funded by the INTERREG NEXT Black Sea Basin Programme 2021-2027, which supports initiatives that promote sustainable development and collaboration among the Black Sea Basin countries. This financial support plays a crucial role in enabling the INTERSMARTS project to achieve its ambitious goals.

Moldova State University is honored to contribute to the success of the INTERSMARTS project. By addressing the region’s key challenges and leveraging interdisciplinary collaboration, the project is expected to redefine tourism in the Black Sea Basin, ensuring long-term sustainability and economic resilience.