Tønder Kommune is engaging local tourism stakeholders through a pilot project focused on waste reduction. A recent workshop revealed shared challenges and sparked collaboration around sustainable event practices.
How a Danish coastal town is using local collaboration to rethink tourism and sustainability
For us, it’s not just about solving one issue. It's about building the capacity to solve the next ones, together. Creating space for collaboration has been more powerful than rushing into isolated action.
How do you reduce waste at a classic car festival on a Danish beach? In Tønder Kommune, the answer begins with dialogue. As part of the 3ST project, the municipality is working to build sustainability from the ground up—by listening, involving local actors, and developing skills that support long-term change.
Tourism and the green transition
Tønder Kommune, with its peaceful landscapes and seaside appeal, is a well-known tourist destination in southern Denmark. But behind the scenes, the municipality is taking bold steps to align its tourism industry with the green transition. The goal is not only to implement solutions but to empower stakeholders through inclusive, realistic pilot initiatives that build momentum and inspire further growth.
Local events face the challenge of waste
As part of the attraction pilot, a series of activities was launched to address sustainability challenges at the local level. A key milestone was a Theory of Change workshop held in November 2024, bringing together event and attraction managers from across the municipality to focus on waste reduction.
One recurring challenge emerged: inconsistent and inefficient waste sorting. Presentations from Tønder Forsyning and a municipal waste expert made the importance of proper sorting clear, laying the groundwork for rich discussion and collaborative learning.
A classic car festival drives new ideas
The workshop offered space for exchange and inspiration. Participants worked in groups to explore solutions and share ideas. In one group, this quickly turned into action. Participants independently initiated a collaborative sorting effort for the clean-up after the Rømø Motor Festival, a popular beach event featuring vintage car races that draws thousands of visitors each year.
This is exactly the kind of initiative the pilot is meant to spark, where local actors move from discussion to practical, place-based solutions.
From dialogue to concrete projects
The project is currently ongoing. A follow-up workshop is planned in April, bringing together a smaller group of stakeholders to co-develop a concrete pilot project. The continued focus remains on strengthening cooperation, sharing knowledge, and building the skills needed to address shared sustainability challenges.
Reflections and lessons learned
After the first workshop, participants were asked to share feedback through a short online survey. While the response rate was lower than hoped, due to the timing of the request, those who did respond were highly positive. They especially valued the workshop’s practical ambition and the opportunity to connect with others in their field. One key takeaway in terms of process? Collecting feedback immediately after sessions is crucial to gaining the most valuable insights.
From skills to systems takes a long-term view
The attraction pilot is more than a single workshop. It’s an investment in the people who make local tourism work. By creating space for collaboration, reflection and shared action, Tønder Kommune is laying the foundations for a more adaptive and sustainable tourism sector.