EU RURAL TOURISM call for micro and SMEs in the tourism sector
ON SEPTEMBER10, 2023
THE EU RURAL TOURISM CALL CLOSED
NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS RECEIVED: 214
Project Acronym: EU Rural Tourism
Project Number: 101074557
Full Project Name: Eurocluster Rural Tourism (ECRT)
Call Opening Date: 07/07/2023
Call Closing Date: 10/09/2023
Call Identifier: SMP-COSME-2021-CLUSTER
EU RURAL TOURISM IN BRIEF:
Funded by the European Union’s COSME program, the EuroCluster Rural Tourism project aims to support 190 small and micro enterprises in the tourism sector. The project, which has received a total funding of 950,000 euros, provides selected SMEs with a service package valued at 5,000 euros each. The goal is to assist these SMEs in designing and developing new tourist products for international markets, incorporating digital, sustainable, and socio-cultural improvements.
Timeline for approved projects and supported content:
The financial support program will commence in November 2023 and will last for 9 months. During this period, participating SMEs will work closely with qualified consultants from EU member states or third countries participating in the COSME program. These consultants will provide technical assistance and guidance to bridge the digital, eco-sustainability, and soft/social skills gap.
SMEs will have the opportunity to choose and enhance at least 4 of the following 12 action areas:
DIGITAL
- Digitalization of processes in SMEs
- Digital marketing and promotion
- Marketing intelligence and data analysis, data-driven marketing strategy
GREEN AND SUSTAINABILITY
- Sustainable management practices for SMEs
- Carbon management and reduction to address climate change
- Sustainable mobility
- Gastronomy and food based on local supply chains
SOFT/SOCIAL
- Socio-cultural skills (interaction with visitors from different cultural backgrounds)
- Creating experiences for visitors (development of corresponding products)
- Inclusive tourism for visitors with special needs
- Integration with the local community
- Techniques for interpreting cultural, historical, and natural resources
The support provided to SMEs will include capacity-building events, self-assessment, on-site audits, mentoring, technical consultancy, a budget for additional external services, final evaluation, and follow-up visits by experts.
ELIGIBILITY
This call is open to SMEs falling under the following ATECO classifications[4]:
- Hotels and similar accommodation (55.10)
- Holiday and other short-stay accommodation (55.20)
- Campgrounds, recreational vehicle parks, and trailer parks (55.30)
- Travel agencies, tour operator reservation services, and related activities (N79)
It is sufficient to submit the official registration certificate provided by the relevant national tourism authorities for any of the above classifications, even if it does not contain the ATECO classification code.
Participation is limited to SMEs based in the following EU Member States or their regions, as well as in third countries participating in the COSME program or their regions:
