CirculaTIA: Transitioning Tourism Businesses Towards Circular and Energy-Efficient Models
About the Program
CirculaTIA is a new initiative by Impact Hub Yerevan and GIZ GmbH, combining the principles of circular economy (Circul) with tourism innovation (TIA – Tourism Innovation Academy). The program aims to support small and medium-sized tourism enterprises operating in Armenia’s regions in transitioning toward more sustainable, circular, and energy-efficient business models.
CirculaTIA integrates awareness-raising, capacity development, and technical advisory components, enabling participating businesses to gain practical knowledge and skills in waste reduction, energy efficiency improvement, and competitiveness enhancement, while simultaneously contributing to the sustainable development of their local communities.
The program will be implemented in six regions of Armenia, Tavush, Lori, Shirak, Gegharkunik, Vayots Dzor, and Syunik, and will engage 40 small and medium enterprises (SMEs), with a particular focus on women-led or women-managed businesses.
Throughout the incubation program, participants will develop their individual sustainability roadmaps, identifying tailored solutions and implementation steps for transitioning toward more responsible business models. At the end of the program, they will also have the opportunity to apply for funding.
Program Objective
The main goal of CirculaTIA is to promote the adoption of a circular economy and energy-efficient / renewable energy practices in Armenia’s tourism sector.
The program will provide practical knowledge, tools, and expert support to foster a culture of sustainability and innovation, thereby enhancing the sector’s competitiveness and long-term resilience.
Program Structure
Phase 1: Regional Information Sessions
These sessions aim to raise awareness and stimulate interest in environmentally responsible and energy-efficient practices. During these meetings, participants will:
- Learn about the principles of circular economy through introductory CIRCO sessions,
- Discover innovative solutions for energy efficiency and renewable energy,
- Gain new ideas for integrating sustainability into their businesses.
Phase 2: CirculaTIA Incubation Program
Selected participants will take part in a comprehensive incubation program that includes several components:
- CIRCO Track: 3-day workshops (for 3 groups) dedicated to developing circular solutions in the tourism sector,
- EE/RE Track: 4-day workshops (for 2 groups) focusing on energy efficiency and renewable energy practices,
- Entrepreneurship Track: 4 workshops (for 2 groups) aimed at enhancing business management, financial, and strategic skills,
- Mentorship: up to 10 hours of individualized consultation by industry experts.
During the program, businesses will develop their own sustainability roadmaps with tailored solutions and actionable steps for transitioning to more responsible business models. Selected participants will also have the opportunity to receive funding upon completion.
Eligibility Criteria
To apply, businesses must:
- Be a registered SME with up to 50 employees,
- Operate in the tourism sector (including accommodation services, travel services, eco-tourism, and related fields),
- Be based in one of the six target regions: Syunik, Shirak, Tavush, Lori, Gegharkunik, or Vayots Dzor,
- Demonstrate readiness to actively participate in all program components, including workshops, mentorship, and field visits.
Selection Criteria
Applications will be evaluated based on the following:
- Business viability: relevance to the identified problem/customer and local value chains,
- Scalability: market potential and replicability,
- Team capacity and commitment: experience and time investment,
- Innovation: originality of the proposed solution,
- Application clarity: clear, complete, and professional submission,
- Long-term impact: potential to become a model of sustainable tourism in Armenia.
Program Timeline
- Application deadline: December 15, 2025
- Program duration: January – June 2026
Why Join CirculaTIA
By participating in CirculaTIA, you will benefit from:
- Practical capacity-building workshops based on international methodologies,
- Mentorship and coaching: individualized guidance from local and, when necessary, international experts (up to 9 hours per enterprise),
- Development of a customized sustainability roadmap for your business,
- Professional networking opportunities within Armenia’s tourism and sustainability ecosystem,
- Financial support: selected enterprises will have the opportunity to receive grants upon completion of the program,
- Access to the Impact Hub network: joining a community of more than 340 changemakers in Armenia and connecting to the global Impact Hub network present in over 100 countries.
Application deadline: December 15, 2025
Let’s shape a sustainable future for tourism in Armenia, together!
The CirculaTIA Program, carried out by the Impact Hub Yerevan, is financed by the European Union and German Government through the PSD TVET and SE4Resilience projects, implemented by GIZ.
