COVID-19 Recovery Through Sustainable Tourism Growth and SME Support
The "COVID-19 Recovery Through Sustainable Tourism Growth and SME Support" call, identified as SMP-COSME-2021-TOURSME-01, is a European Union initiative designed to bolster the resilience and competitiveness of tourism SMEs. This program specifically targets the digital and green transformation of the tourism ecosystem, promoting innovation and sustainable practices. It emphasizes transnational cooperation and provides financial support to third parties, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) affected by the COVID-19 crisis.
Who is Funded
The program is designed to support tourism sector Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) across the EU and associated countries, fostering their resilience, competitiveness, and sustainable growth. It aims to achieve this by facilitating digital and green transformation, promoting new business models, and enhancing cross-border cooperation within the tourism value chain.
What is Funded
This program supports projects focused on the digital and green transformation of the tourism sector, encompassing a range of activities from capacity building to implementing sustainable business models. It clarifies which costs are eligible for funding, distinguishing between direct activities and financial support to third-party SMEs, and specifies the developmental stage of the projects.
Type and Scope of Funding
The funding offers grants with a significant co-financing rate, specifically designed to support tourism SMEs. The total allocated budget for this call is 12.42 million euros, with a defined maximum financial support per individual SME and a typical project duration of 36 months.
Conditions and Requirements
Applicants and beneficiaries must adhere to specific legal, administrative, and operational conditions throughout the project lifecycle. These include strict consortium composition rules, compliance with financial reporting thresholds, and clear guidelines on subcontracting and financial support distribution, while notably excluding EU direct funding from State aid rules.
Application Procedure
The application process for this call involves a single-stage submission, requiring specific templates for proposals and budgets, along with detailed documentation of the core project team. The evaluation process is conducted by an appointed committee, and applicants are guided by official manuals and FAQs rather than dedicated info-days.
Legal Basis
This funding program is officially established and governed by key European Union legislative acts, ensuring its legitimacy and operational framework. All foundational and guiding documents are made accessible to the public for transparency.
Similar Programs
Funding Overview
Funding Status:
Closed
Maximum Amount:
10,000 € per SME
Allocated Budget:
12,420,000 €
Open Until:
Ongoing
Award Channel:
Competitive Tender
Region:
European Union, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey
Sectors:
Tourism, Information and Communication Technology, Green Technology, Service Sector, Agriculture and Agribusiness, Cultural Institutions
Beneficiaries:
Tourism, SMEs
Application Type:
Consortium Required
Funding Stages:
Implementation, Capacity Building, Product Development, Process Optimization
Funding Provider
Program Level:
European Union
Funding Body:
European Commission
Managed By:
EISMEA
Website: