Project FARMS’CHARM

Diversification of Entrepreneurial Activities as the Pathway to the Sustainable Farming at Rural Areas

Web page: farmscharm.com

The FARMS’CHARM project aims to promote agri-tourism and rural tourism as sustainable and eco-friendly travel options in Europe. This initiative emerges from the growing need to diversify the income sources for small and medium-sized farmers and rural entrepreneurs, who are increasingly facing economic challenges.

The project addresses critical issues such as the high carbon footprint of traditional tourism, the under-utilisation of rural areas, and the lack of quality learning opportunities for adults in the agritourism sector. By focusing on digital transformation, FARMS’CHARM seeks to provide modern, accessible, and practical training for farmers and rural communities in order to boost local economies, contribute to climate protection and sustainable development, and offer educational and recreational experiences for visitors.

The project’s relevance is underlined by its alignment with the European Union’s priorities on environment and climate change, digital transformation, and the development of disadvantaged rural areas. Through collaborative efforts across five European countries, the project will leverage diverse experiences and best practices to create a robust support system for agritourism development.

Our role in the project

PM & development

Web page

Quality assurance & evaluation

Project objectives

1

Develop digital content OERs for agritourism mentors

2

Create creative micro-learning videos for farmers and agritourism providers

3

Collect inspiring case studies of innovative agritourism farms

4

Build and pilot a comprehensive training platform

Main results

Educational guidelines

A set of guidelines to help mentors in agritourism.

Creative micro-learning videos

10 educational videos covering marketing practices, the rural experience and the added value of rural tourism.

Inspiring case studies

20 case studies showcasing successful agritourism practices across Europe.

Training Platform

An online platform providing digital training resources tailored to the needs of farmers and rural entrepreneurs.

Expected impact

FARMS’CHARM will foster a transition towards sustainable and innovative agritourism, benefiting local communities and the industry as a whole. More specifically:

  • Economically, it will help farmers diversify their incomes and create new business opportunities. 
  • Socially, it will enhance community engagement and education in rural areas. 
  • Environmentally, it will promote sustainable travel practices and eco-friendly tourism.