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EU Funding opportunities for Tourism SMEs

- Erasmus +

Overall Budget: 3.8 billion euros

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Erasmus+ is the EU’s programme for education, training, youth, and sport. It supports the objectives of the European Education Area, the Digital Education Action Plan, the European Youth Strategy, and the European Union Work Plan for Sport. Erasmus+ places a strong focus on social inclusion, green and digital transitions, as well as on promoting youth participation in democratic life. It provides cooperation, capacity building, exchanges, networking, and policy support for organisations. Reforms in education, training, youth, and sport are also being made. Erasmus+ additionally aims to promote the sustainable development of its partners in higher education and contribute to achieving the objectives of the EU Youth Strategy. The programme has no specific tourism components. However, tourism enterprises and their staff can benefit from training young people. In addition, tourism organisations can receive funding for development and networking activities. These include academic and vocational training, adult/lifelong learning, youth and European sport events. Projects can cover mobility, developing the competences and employability of young people in tourism, digital skills in cultural heritage, hospitality, and research innovation.

GENERAL OBJECTIVES

(1) Support the objectives of the European Education Area, the Digital Education Action Plan, the European Youth Strategy, and the European Union Work Plan for Sport.

(2) Focus on social inclusion, green and digital transitions, and promoting youth participation in democratic life.

(3) Provide cooperation, capacity building, exchanges, networking, and policy support for organisations.

(4) Implement reforms in education, training, youth, and sport.

(5) Promote sustainable development of partners in higher education.

(6) Contribute to achieving the objectives of the EU Youth Strategy.

(7) Benefit tourism enterprises and their staff through training young people.

(8) Provide funding for development and networking activities for tourism organisations, including academic and vocational training, adult/lifelong learning, youth and European sport events.

(9) Cover projects on mobility, developing competences and employability of young people in tourism, digital skills in cultural heritage, hospitality, and research innovation.

Click here for more information: https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/about-erasmus/what-is-erasmus

CLOSED CALLS

Alliances for Sectoral Cooperation on Skills, implementing the ‘Blueprint’

(Lump Sum Grant, ERASMUS-EDU-2024-PI-ALL-INNO-BLUEPRINT)

Deadline: 7 March 2024

DESCRIPTION

Alliances for Innovation are initiatives aimed at boosting Europe’s innovation capacity through collaboration and knowledge sharing among universities, vocational education and training institutions, and the broader socio-economic environment, including research.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

(1) Provide new skills and address skill gaps by developing new curricula for higher education and vocational training.

(2) Foster entrepreneurial mindsets in the EU.

(3) Implement a range of sector-specific or cross-sector activities that can adapt to future knowledge developments across the EU.

(4) Develop talent and skills in three key areas: digital competencies, skills for transitioning to a circular and greener economy, and the adoption of new technologies to support digital and green transitions across all sectors.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

There may be specific eligibility criteria related to participation in educational or entrepreneurial initiatives within the EU context.

Alliances for Education and Enterprises

(Lump Sum Grant, ERASMUS-EDU-2024-PI-ALL-INNO-EDU-ENTERP)

Deadline: 7 March 2024

DESCRIPTION

Alliances for Innovation aim to strengthen Europe in innovation by encouraging collaboration and sharing of knowledge among universities, vocational training institutions, and the broader economy, including research.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

(1) Create new educational programmes in higher education and vocational training to meet job market demands.

(2) Foster entrepreneurial skills in the EU.

(3) Adapt to future developments in knowledge across Europe.

(4) Develop talent and skills in key areas such as digital skills, green skills for a circular economy, and innovation through new technologies across various sectors.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

There may be specific eligibility criteria related to participation in educational or entrepreneurial initiatives within the EU context.

- European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and Interreg's support to tourism

Overall Budget: €120 million for the European Urban Initiative (EUI) call for proposals targeting sustainable tourism

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and Interreg support tourism through the EU cohesion policy, aiding European regions in leveraging their geographical, cultural, and historical assets. The ERDF, under its European Territorial Cooperation strand (Interreg), promotes sustainable tourism and strengthens economic, social, and territorial cohesion in the EU. The 2021-2027 EU long-term budget facilitates a resilient and sustainable tourism ecosystem, addressing green and digital transitions via the Transition Pathway for Tourism. Investments are aligned with 5 policy objectives, focusing significantly on socio-economic development, social inclusion, and social innovation through policy objective 4 (A more social and inclusive Europe) and integrated sustainable territorial development through policy objective 5 (A Europe Closer to citizens). Interreg programmes support cross-border, transnational, interregional, and outermost regions’ cooperation, with tourism being a key sector. The European Urban Initiative (EUI), funded by ERDF, includes sustainable tourism as one of its targeted topics in Innovative Actions.

GENERAL OBJECTIVES

(1) Support tourism in a sustainable manner.

(2) Strengthen economic, social, and territorial cohesion in the EU.

(3) Contribute to a resilient and sustainable tourism ecosystem.

(4) Address green and digital transitions in tourism.

(5) Promote socio-economic development, social inclusion, and social innovation.

(6) Facilitate integrated sustainable territorial development.

(7) Support cross-border, transnational, interregional, and outermost regions’ cooperation in tourism.

Click here for more information: https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/sectors/tourism/eu-funding-and-businesses/funding-guide/european-regional-development-fund-erdf-and-cohesion-fund_en

OPEN CALLS

European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)

France (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes)

Deadline: European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) - France (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes)

DESCRIPTION

The Région Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes oversees the management of ERDF funds within the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France. This includes administering various funding programmes such as ERDF, ESF+, and JTF regional Operational Programme for 2021-2027. The programme aims to promote regional development and address societal challenges through a comprehensive approach.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

(1) Promote research, innovation, and digitalisation.

(2) Facilitate the transition towards green energy.

(3) Enhance digital connectivity.

(4) Improve healthcare services.

(5) Support tourism initiatives.

(6) Develop territorial development strategies.

(7) Enhance urban mobility.

(8) Provide support for training, employment, and healthcare.

(9) Ensure a just transition towards sustainable development.

(10) Offer technical assistance for effective programme implementation across the region.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Specific eligibility criteria may vary depending on the particular funding programme or initiative under ERDF within Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.

European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)

France (Reunion/La Réunion)

Deadline: The Operational Programme ERDF 2014-2020 is currently active in Réunion

DESCRIPTION

The Région Réunion is the public authority responsible for implementing ERDF funds in Réunion, a region of France. They manage the Operational Programme ERDF 2014-2020, which aims to support various sectors.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

(1) Support companies and tourism development in Réunion

(2) Promote research and innovation initiatives

(3)Invest in education, training, and social inclusion

(4) Develop sustainable infrastructure in the region.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Specific eligibility criteria may apply depending on the specific projects or initiatives funded under the ERDF Operational Programme in Réunion.