Increasing the Competitiveness of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) through Tourism Measures (Tourism Funding Guideline) Open
The state of Lower Saxony promotes tourism projects to increase attractiveness and visitor numbers in tourist regions, aiming to enhance the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This initiative is funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the Joint Task for the “Improvement of Regional Economic Structures” (GRW), and state funds. The goal is to support sustainable quality tourism and to create or upgrade new tourism infrastructures.
Who is funded?
This funding program primarily targets public and non-profit legal entities in Lower Saxony. It supports projects that serve regional tourism development and thus strengthen the competitiveness of resident SMEs. The funding focuses on areas where tourism makes a significant contribution to development and where a regional tourism concept exists.
What is funded?
Projects that increase the attractiveness and quality of tourism offers in Lower Saxony are funded. The focus is on the development and new establishment of tourism infrastructures, especially accessible, digital, and sustainable offers. Specific categories of expenses are defined as eligible for funding, while others, such as land acquisition or financing costs, are explicitly excluded.
Type and Scope of Funding
Funding is provided as a non-repayable grant, primarily in the form of co-financing. Funding rates vary depending on the region category (Transition Region or More Developed Region) and the funding source used (ERDF, GRW, state funds). There are also maximum funding amounts per project. A state aid assessment is carried out for each grant.
Conditions and Requirements
Applicants must meet certain legal, substantive, and qualitative requirements to receive funding. These include the project's location in a relevant tourist area with a regional concept, ensuring predominantly tourist use, and compliance with quality criteria and cross-cutting objectives such as sustainability and accessibility. Overall financing must be secured, and European state aid rules must be strictly observed.
Application Process
The application process is carried out electronically and by post via NBank. The granting authority, NBank, assesses the eligibility for funding and decides within the limits of available budget funds. The information and forms required for application and proof are available on the NBank website. The Ministry may set application deadlines.
Legal Basis
The Tourism Funding Guideline is based on various European and national legal bases that regulate the allocation of grants. It relies on EU regulations for the structural funds as well as national budget and state aid regulations.
Funding Overview
Maximum Amount:
€2,000,000 (more developed region, up to €3,000,000 in exceptional cases), €3,000,000 (transition region/GRW funding areas)
Open Until:
31.12.2029
Award Channel:
Demand Driven Scheme
Region:
Lower Saxony (Celle, Cuxhaven, Harburg, Heidekreis, Lüchow-Dannenberg, Lüneburg, Osterholz, Rotenburg (Wümme), Stade, Uelzen, Verden)
Sectors:
Tourism
Beneficiaries:
Tourism, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs)
Funding Stages:
Infrastructure, Implementation, Product Development
Funding Provider
Program Level: Regional
Funding Body: Lower Saxony Ministry for Economic Affairs, Transport, Building and Digitalisation, European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), Joint Task for the "Improvement of Regional Economic Structures" (GRW)
Managed By: Investment and Promotion Bank of Lower Saxony (NBank)
Additional Partners: TourismusMarketing Niedersachsen GmbH