On 16 June 2026, the Croatian partner of CEPRINCE project, the Dubrovnik Development Agency DURA successfully concluded a comprehensive marathon of five specialized online workshops designed to strengthen the capacities of private companies in the tourism and hospitality sectors. This targeted training series provided practical tools, framework guidance, and technical knowledge to help local businesses adopt circular economy practices and successfully align with Green Public Procurement (GPP) criteria .
While each interactive session targeted a distinct branch of the tourism supply chain, the combined milestone represents a significant push toward building an eco-competitive regional market.
A Look Back at the 5-Part Training Series:
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Workshop 1: Circular Economy and Principles of Circularity within GPP This foundational introductory session brought together representatives from hotels, booking offices, and travel agencies. Participants explored the key principles of the circular economy, how to integrate them into daily business operations, and practical pathways to meet GPP criteria in public tenders to boost business competitiveness.
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Workshop 2: Sustainable Procurement for Hospitality (EU Ecolabel & Green Key) Tailored specifically for restaurants, cafés, and hospitality providers, this workshop focused on practical procurement solutions. Attendees learned how to implement globally recognized certification standards like the EU Ecolabel and Green Key into their operations, exploring both the environmental and economic benefits.
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Workshop 3: Cross-Sectoral Low-Impact Principles for Accommodation & Camps Aimed at booking agencies, travel agencies, camps, and accommodation providers, this session provided insights into cross-sectoral low-impact business practices. The focus was on reducing environmental footprints while safeguarding service quality and regional market value.
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Workshop 4: Sustainable Logistics & Transport Services Focusing strictly on the transport sector, this workshop provided transport agencies and carriers with practical knowledge on implementing resource-efficient, low-emission practices and logistics within the wider tourism industry ecosystem.
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Workshop 5: Designing Low-Impact Tourism Experiences The final workshop offered hands-on guidance for hotels, booking platforms, and travel agencies on how to design sustainable tourist experiences. Attendees explored strategies to craft low-impact tourism products that fulfill both evolving traveler demands and strict public procurement mandates.
Next Steps for CE-PRINCE
All workshop attendees received an official Certificate of Attendance, and all educational materials are being made publicly available to ensure a lasting regional impact.
The momentum built during this intensive capacity-building block will feed directly into the next phases of the CE-PRINCE project, which continues in Croatia too, with upcoming live events on 26 June 2026 and specialized pilot actions for selected companies.