The SUSRUR project, a collaborative effort co-funded by the European Union under the COSME program, marked a significant milestone with its consortium meeting on 16 January in Velventos, Greece. The meeting, attended both in person and via Zoom by partners from diverse European regions, centered around the launch of the INNOVATE call.
The INNOVATE call, open from February 1, 2024, seeks to empower SMEs in the tourism sector across five European rural and remote areas. With a substantial indicative budget of € 560 000, the call aims to support up to 80 tourism SMEs in implementing sustainable and innovative practices. Each selected applicant is eligible for a grant of € 7 000.
KEY OBJECTIVES:
- Replication of Good Sustainable Practices: Facilitate the adoption of sustainable practices through study visits.
- Sustainable Tourism Certification Schemes & Labels: Encourage the implementation of certification schemes and labels.
- Training Courses: Provide training sessions focused on sustainability and innovation.
- Consultancy Services: Grant access to specialized consulting services. Available services in the INNOVATE Program will focus on: Digital Marketing Plan, Sustainability and Strategy Plan, Technology and innovation survey.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:
- Applicants must be legally based in one of the five specified regions: Asturias (Spain), Western Macedonia (Greece), Harghita (Romania), Utena (Lithuania), and Steirisches Vulkanland (Austria).
- The call is open to tourism enterprises falling under specific NACE classes, ensuring alignment with the project's scope.
WEBINARS
The consortium will organise two webinars during the application period. The webinars will take place online and will be in English. Potential applicants are requested to read the open call before attending on one of the webinars, so they can ask their questions from the project’s consortium. Follow our website and social media pages to keep up to date!
STAY INFORMED
For the latest updates and information, follow the SUSRUR project website and social media platforms. The INNOVATE call for SMEs support is set to open on February 1, 2024, offering a valuable opportunity for tourism SMEs to enhance their practices and contribute to the sustainable development of the sector.
