To foster meaningful engagement between the establishment and the surrounding community, this criterion aims to promote measurable, long-term cooperation with external stakeholders to support environmental education, local cultural heritage and the sustainable development of the destination.
The establishment actively cooperates with relevant external stakeholders on sustainable development issues, such as environmental, social, cultural, educational, economic, quality, human rights, health, risk and crisis management issues. Where relevant, cooperation with stakeholders involved in the protection and enhancement of local historical, archaeological, cultural and spiritually significant sites and traditions is encouraged. It is strongly recommended to select cooperation partners based on the local context, or issues, risks, or areas for improvement identified in criterion 1.2.
For establishments with more than 50 employees, a minimum of 2 active cooperations with relevant stakeholders are in place. Establishments with less than 50 employees have a minimum of 1 active partnership cooperation with a relevant stakeholder. At least 1 cooperation focuses on the area surrounding the establishment (regional/local); where 2 partnerships are required, the second cooperation could focus on the support of projects in other geographical areas. Cooperations may focus on environmental education or awareness-raising, social-cultural collaboration, or sustainable regional development.
Relevant stakeholders include (but are not limited to) non-governmental organisations, local community groups, local authorities, residents, local schools, management authorities of protected areas, heritage institutions, or sustainability-focused civil society organisations, etc.
To be approved, it is an active two-way cooperation between the establishment and the relevant stakeholders, providing benefits for both parties. An active cooperation is a mutually beneficial relationship involving at least 1 form of interaction during the certification period, such as: co-organisation of an event or public initiative; joint development and implementation of educational or community-based projects; employee volunteering during work hours; joint fundraising efforts or in-kind support that go beyond one-off donations. Passive support, such as donations alone without interaction, the sole purchasing of products, or one-sided communication, does not qualify as active cooperation.
If the establishment is part of a chain, collaborations may align with the broader chain’s strategic collaborations, provided that they are tailored to the specific applicant establishment.
Examples of active collaborations include:
- protection of natural and culturally sensitive areas;
- projects addressing the impacts of climate change;
- creation of outdoor infrastructure (establishment of environmentally friendly boat mooring places, nature trails) that can also be used by the public;
- activities with schools or communities working with environmental or educational initiatives;
- activities with people with additional needs (vulnerable and/or less-resourced groups);
- activities promoting social justice and equal rights;
- provision of basic food, water, and energy services, as well as health and sanitation services in communities;
- supporting museums to promote local heritage; and/or
- cooperation with local community groups/destination management organisations/authorities on sustainable tourism planning and management in the destination, local infrastructure and social community development projects (e.g. sanitation).
Collaborations based solely on purchasing local products or supporting standalone biodiversity conservation activities do not fulfil this criterion (the latter is covered in criterion 7.11).
During the audit, establishments with more than 50 employees present evidence of a minimum of 2 active cooperations. Establishments with less than 50 employees present evidence of 1 active cooperation. (e.g. meeting minutes, activity reports, co-developed materials). The submitted evidence (e.g. meeting minutes, activity reports, co-developed materials) demonstrates the active cooperation with relevant stakeholders, defined as a mutually beneficial relationship involving at least 1 documented interaction during the certification period.
In specific circumstances, for first-time applicants, the establishment presents the cooperation contracts/agreements and planned actions.
To foster meaningful engagement between the establishment and the surrounding community, this criterion aims to promote measurable, long-term cooperation with external stakeholders to support environmental education, local cultural heritage and the sustainable development of the destination.
The establishment actively cooperates with relevant external stakeholders on sustainable development issues, such as environmental, social, cultural, educational, economic, quality, human rights, health, risk and crisis management issues. Where relevant, cooperation with stakeholders involved in the protection and enhancement of local historical, archaeological, cultural and spiritually significant sites and traditions is encouraged. It is strongly recommended to select cooperation partners based on the local context, or issues, risks, or areas for improvement identified in criterion 1.2.
For establishments with more than 50 employees, a minimum of 2 active cooperations with relevant stakeholders are in place. Establishments with less than 50 employees have a minimum of 1 active partnership cooperation with a relevant stakeholder. At least 1 cooperation focuses on the area surrounding the establishment (regional/local); where 2 partnerships are required, the second cooperation could focus on the support of projects in other geographical areas. Cooperations may focus on environmental education or awareness-raising, social-cultural collaboration, or sustainable regional development.
Relevant stakeholders include (but are not limited to) non-governmental organisations, local community groups, local authorities, residents, local schools, management authorities of protected areas, heritage institutions, or sustainability-focused civil society organisations, etc.
To be approved, it is an active two-way cooperation between the establishment and the relevant stakeholders, providing benefits for both parties. An active cooperation is a mutually beneficial relationship involving at least 1 form of interaction during the certification period, such as: co-organisation of an event or public initiative; joint development and implementation of educational or community-based projects; employee volunteering during work hours; joint fundraising efforts or in-kind support that go beyond one-off donations. Passive support, such as donations alone without interaction, the sole purchasing of products, or one-sided communication, does not qualify as active cooperation.
If the establishment is part of a chain, collaborations may align with the broader chain’s strategic collaborations, provided that they are tailored to the specific applicant establishment.
Examples of active collaborations include:
- protection of natural and culturally sensitive areas;
- projects addressing the impacts of climate change;
- creation of outdoor infrastructure (establishment of environmentally friendly boat mooring places, nature trails) that can also be used by the public;
- activities with schools or communities working with environmental or educational initiatives;
- activities with people with additional needs (vulnerable and/or less-resourced groups);
- activities promoting social justice and equal rights;
- provision of basic food, water, and energy services, as well as health and sanitation services in communities;
- supporting museums to promote local heritage; and/or
- cooperation with local community groups/destination management organisations/authorities on sustainable tourism planning and management in the destination, local infrastructure and social community development projects (e.g. sanitation).
Collaborations based solely on purchasing local products or supporting standalone biodiversity conservation activities do not fulfil this criterion (the latter is covered in criterion 7.11).
During the audit, establishments with more than 50 employees present evidence of a minimum of 2 active cooperations. Establishments with less than 50 employees present evidence of 1 active cooperation. (e.g. meeting minutes, activity reports, co-developed materials). The submitted evidence (e.g. meeting minutes, activity reports, co-developed materials) demonstrates the active cooperation with relevant stakeholders, defined as a mutually beneficial relationship involving at least 1 documented interaction during the certification period.
In specific circumstances, for first-time applicants, the establishment presents the cooperation contracts/agreements and planned actions.