NewsFU-TOURISM Open Days reaches its equator in 2024: Driving sustainable and digital tourism innovation across Europe
News

FU-TOURISM Open Days reaches its equator in 2024: Driving sustainable and digital tourism innovation across Europe

  • Empowering tourism SMEs across Europe: FU-TOURISM Open Days spotlight sustainability and innovation
  • Poland, Belgium and Greece host events showcasing €4 Million EU Programme for Green and Digital Tourism
  • Applications open until January 31, 2025: FU-TOURISM offers grants and mentorships to 60 SMEs. 
 The FU-TOURISM project, a €4 million initiative funded by the Single Market Programme (SMP-COSME), has reached its equator in 2024, having successfully hosted Open Days in Poland, Belgium, and Greece, showcasing its mission to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in tourism through funding, mentorship, and tailored support for sustainability and digital transformation. These events, held in November, were key moments for FU-TOURISM to engage tourism stakeholders across Europe and introduce its programme, which offers grants of up to €20,000 for innovative projects.
 

The FU-TOURISM Open Days, held in Belgium, Poland, and Greece throughout November 2024, provided a comprehensive platform for discussing the programme’s potential to accelerate sustainability and digital transformation in the tourism sector. These events, hosted in hybrid or online formats, brought together policymakers, tourism SMEs, and industry leaders to explore the benefits of the FU-TOURISM Accelerator Programme. Discussions focused on the €20,000 grants available for innovative projects, the transition towards more sustainable and digital tourism practices, and the tailored mentorship and support provided to SMEs looking to innovate. The sessions highlighted the importance of cross-border collaboration and shared insights on how SMEs can access funding, enhance their sustainability efforts, and leverage digital tools for growth.

 These Open Days underscore FU-TOURISM’s commitment to empowering European tourism SMEs, offering funding, training, and access to a network of experts. The Acceleration Programme aims to support 60 SMEs from six European countries, including Croatia, Spain, Belgium, Greece, Austria, and Poland. Applications are
open until January 31, 2025, offering a unique opportunity for tourism businesses to lead the green and digital transition. Interested companies can apply at https://www.fu-tourism.eu/open-call/.

FU-TOURISM project: A commitment to a sustainable and digital tourism business ecosystem

 With funding of €4 million from the European Commission through the Single Market Programme (formerly COSME), the FU-TOURISM project is dedicated to supporting the green and digital transition of European tourism SMEs. This initiative brings together a consortium of partners from seven European countries: the City of Valencia (Spain), Valencia Innovation Capital, the City of Poreč-Parenzo (Croatia), FINNOVA (Belgium), Envolve
(Greece), SYNYO (Austria), Vestbee (Poland), and Open Impact (Italy). The consortium is led by Eupolis Grupa (Croatia) with CEDRA as an affiliated entity.
 

The project provides training and strategy development support in two pilot destinations: Valencia, Spain, and Poreč-Parenzo, Croatia. These destinations, operating under the Destination Management Organisation (DMO) model, will serve as best practice examples and support SMEs through collaboration in the 4-Helix Living-Labs.

The FU-TOURISM Acceleration Programme is the first of two acceleration programmes to be launched by the project. The second programme, planned for 2025, will support 42 SME associations, each with funding of €30,000.

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