Base de données des projets PDR

The project aimed to promote a network of villages - The Most Beautiful Villages of Wallonia - creating links between local communities, promoting local initiatives and tourism opportunities, supporting organisation of village events & activities.

Wallonia has a rich rural heritage & village life is at its centre. But attracting visitors to experience this requires planning, support, finance & advice. To assist these vibrant local communities, it was agreed to develop a project that would support a network of the ‘Most Beautiful Villages of Wallonia’. Candidate villages would need to demonstrate not only the external beauty of their village but also the community spirit & energy of the village, demonstrated through events & activities.

The project aimed to promote a network of villages as 'The Most Beautiful Villages of Wallonia'. The underlying objectives included: the desire to establish sustainable links between local partners and local initiatives; to promote increased community participation & support in local activities and events; to increase visitors to the targeted villages; and improve incomes and opportunities for promotion of local heritage and toutist attractions.

Examples of activities included: (i) Technical and admin support; (ii) Development of a network of local heritage interpretation trails; (iii) Introduction of new technologies to promote attractions, such as audio-guidance; (iv) Development of a pro-active network of local partners to promote & link communities & attarctions; (v) Updating of the website & other promotion tools; (vi) Organisation of events during the tourist season, for example the ‘One Sunday – One Village’ concept.

Results and benefits included: enhanced links between various local partners and stakeholders within a network structure; increased community engagement, active participation & support for village based activities and events; increased numbers of visitors to the participating villages and connected communities; and it is anticipated that there will be gradual increases in incomes and job opportunities as the promotional campaigns develop.

The project shows the impact that targeted financial and technical support can have on small rural communities and its necessity, if such communities are to survive and thrive. Local communities need direct support and guidance to access funds, help to plan community initiatives and promote their villages and their all too often 'hidden' treasures.

"Les Plus Beaux Villages de Wallonie" asbl Rue Haute, 75332 - CRUPET (Assesse) Belgium

Prov. Namur

Wallonia

500 000

200 000

200 000

100 000

https://www.beauxvillages.be

Sandrine Quoibion

info@beauxvillages.be

+32(0)83657240

French