Good practice:

10 small sustainable campings in heritage or nature, Flanders-Belgium and the Netherlands

There is need for open space in the densely populated areas of Flanders – Belgium and the Netherlands. The 10 camping sites are all on a small scale and serve multiple purposes: (1) meaningful re-use and preservation of heritage and natural sites, (2) sustainable and affordable lodging, (3) special experience and use of open space, (4) added economic and touristic value on local and regional scale
The context of the ten examples are all different, from an urban context or city edge towards more natural sites or even inside a private museum(park)
The added value and first goal is preservation and re-use of protected heritage and nature on a sustainable way, the second goal is the support for local tourism and promotion of the city, region or country - the way of implementation is mostly temporary (seasonal), some are permanent. All examples of the small campings have been developed nearby or even inside heritage or natural sites and responds to it, by giving the place an added value and meaningful economic and touristic re-use that starts by lodging but also expandable to food and drinks (summer bar), events (guided tours, workshops ...), connection with walking and cycling networks …
The stakeholders of the ten examples are on all scales / levels: government (regional, city or municipality), regional associations, local organizations, entrepreneurs and citizens or volunteers. The common goal is promoting nature and heritage for tourism and cultural or regional products.

Crowdfunding + volunteers as mechanism
- BIVAK (ex 2): crowdfunding € 5.000
- KONTAKT (ex 4): crowdfunding € 2.500 - € 3.000
- PAMPUS (ex 10): crowdfunding € 15.000 (government support)
Impuls of external (Government)
- H&V (ex 6) € 50.000 for 5 bivak places (€ 10.000/loc)

- meaningful re-use of abandoned heritage
- local tourism (staycation), no traveling abroad, no emissions/ecological footprint, Corona proof
- constructions with recycled materials, ecological sanitary or even a sustainable self-sufficient system
- multi-day visit, connection cyclist/walking routes, make a complete experience of region
- bring 4rd world in contact with vacation, social work
- campings integrate well in nature/culture, unique
- constructions are not permanent, can be moved

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Introducing campsites (bivouac or other forms of small campsites) in fortresses or fortress cities are a simple way and quick-win to gain support for military heritage and offering a unique experience. This concept responds partly to society's demand to create more natural experiences and peace. People are looking for authenticity and like to deviate from the standard trails. People prefer to look for the more unexplored locations, and come into contact with the authenticity of the landscape, which makes the increased connection with the region. if you don’t use it, you will lose it !