Collabor8

Collabor8 - building a sustainable future for the South Downs

The Sussex Tourism Partnership are excited to announce that they are sub partners on an exciting rural business project which aims to support business clusters across the South Downs.

Arts, culture, and outdoor activity businesses around the South Downs are set to benefit after the South Downs Joint Committee secured just over €1 million to help develop sustainable tourism and business partnerships in the region.The Collabor8 project taps into funding available from the EU’s Interreg 4B programme. The nine partners include The South Downs Joint Committee (SDJC), Brecon Beacons National Park Authority, Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council and The West Country Rivers Trust together with others from Ireland, Belgium and the Netherlands.The idea for the project stemmed from the desire to make tourism and recreation more sustainable within the South Downs, encouraging visitors to help protect this special area, whilst still having a great time.

Based on an agreed set of criteria relating to quality assurance and eco-accreditation businesses will be encouraged to work together to develop locality or activity based ‘products’ linked to the sense of place.Businesses will be supported through training, developing the business networks, product development and promotion. New technology to jointly market Collabor8 ‘products’ will provide businesses with a competitive advantage.Alison Tingley from the SDJC said:‘In the current economic climate rural businesses are likely to suffer. It’s vital to maximise profits and streamline costs, whilst retaining the unique attractions of South Downs local produce, surroundings and services.The Collabor8 funding enables us to get people together to share best practice and new technology. But, it’s no ‘talking shop’. The project will help turn ideas into actions by paying for expert help and guidance. This will enable local businesses to be more resilient during the credit squeeze and ready for a bright future.’

If your business would benefit from Collabor8 or you would like to find out more about the South Downs elements of the project then please do refer to our Questions and Answers sheet below. Alternatively, contact the Project Manager, Katharine Hale on 01243 558706 or khale@southdowns-aonb.gov.uk for more information.

Collabor8 Questions and Answers