GreenHost Workshop in Ancona: Three Days of Co-Creation, Collaboration and Gamified Learning

From 7 to 9 July 2025, the GreenHost consortium gathered for its first in-person transnational workshop in Ancona, Italy. Hosted by Fondazione Toscana Sostenibile and held at the Università Politecnica delle Marche, the meeting brought together all project partners for three intensive days of exchange, co-development and creative design work.

The workshop sessions were built around a shared goal: to transform research results and real-world challenges from the hospitality sector into meaningful learning experiences for staff and managers in small and medium-sized tourism businesses.

To kick things off, the partners worked with the results of previous surveys and reports to conduct a joint needs and problems analysis. Using personas and guest/staff insights, the group identified key areas for behavioural change and structured them into initial learning themes and mission ideas.

A central focus throughout the meeting was the use of gamification as an educational method. In a series of interactive sessions, the consortium explored how game mechanics, playful narratives, and digital design strategies can be used to support long-term habit transformation. First prototypes for learning activities were developed collaboratively – laying the foundation for the GreenHost digital learning platform.

Another core element of the workshop was peer learning and knowledge sharing. All partners contributed their specific expertise in sustainability, vocational education, digital learning and tourism practice. From design thinking methods to Mural-based brainstorming, the programme was built around co-creation and mutual inspiration.

On the final day, the consortium also took part in the Skillman Alliance TVET Summit 2025, where GreenHost was featured in one of the parallel sessions. In their joint presentation “Upskilling for green SMEs’ transition – gamification as a strategy for habits change”, Prof. Dr. Volker Wittberg (Fachhochschule des Mittelstands) and Artur Mazurek (PAIZ Konsulting) presented the project’s current development phase and shared practical insights into the role of gamified learning in sustainability transitions.

The three days in Ancona not only pushed the project forward – they also reinforced the consortium’s shared commitment to collaborative, creative and impact-oriented work. A big thank you to all partners for their input, ideas and energy!