The INNOVATE Program

The SUSRUR project’s INNOVATE Program is targeting SMEs in the tourism sector across five European rural and remote areas. 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.
During the implementation of the Innovate Program, applicants are expected to implement and be enrolled in several compulsory actions.

The Open Call #2 objectives

• Uptake and replicate good practices to enhance SMEs sustainability.
• Promote adoption of sustainable practices through Certification Schemes and/or Labels.
• Develop management skills for SMEs' overall performance in digital and green transition.

Eligible Regions

• Asturias (Spain)
• Western Macedionia (Greece)
• Harghita (Romania)
• Utena (Lithuania)
• Steirisches Vulkanland (Austria)

Activities to be supported

• Peer-learning and replication of Good Sustainable Rural Tourism Practices.
• Adoption of Sustainable Tourism Certification Schemes & Labels.
• Participation in the Sustainable Tourism Training Program from GSTC (Global Sustainable Tourism Council).
• Access to Specialized Consulting Services.
• Estimated budget per applicant: € 7 000 (lump sum grant).

Eligibility Criteria

• Only applicants legally based on one of the regions listed above are eligible under the call.
• Eligible applicants to participate and receive funding are SMEs according to the Commission Recommendation 2003/361/EC.
• Financial support to third parties under the call is limited to Tourism SMEs under at least one of the NACE classes listed below.
• The applicant has not been selected to participate in the previous SUSRUR program (Open Call #1 - ACCELERATOR).

Eligible NACE classes

• H49 - Land transport and transport via pipelines
• I55 - Accommodation
• I56 - Food and beverage service activities
• N79 - Travel agency, tour operator reservation service and related activities
• R90 - Creative, arts and entertainment activities
• R91 - Libraries, archives, museums and other cultural activities
• R93 - Sports activities and amusement and recreation activities
• Other if related to scope of SUSRUR project.

Key Dates

• Start date of the Open Call: 1 February 2024, 17:00 CET
• Deadline: 3 April 2024, 17:00 CET
• Evaluation period: between 4 April 2024 and 10 May 2024
• Implementation of INNOVATE program: between 1 July 2024 and 30 June 2025 

The consortium will organise two webinars during the application period. The goal of these webinars is to promote the open call opportunity among SMEs in the tourism sector from 5 rural & remote areas of Europe.
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.

Dates of the webinars:

• 1st webinar: 14 February 2024, 12:00 PM CET, Zoom
  • To attend on the webinar, please register on the following page: www.f6s.com.
• 2nd webinar: 15 March 2024, 12:00 PM CET, Zoom
  • To attend on the webinar, please register on the following page: www.f6s.com.
• You will receive the Zoom invitation by email one hour before the webinar.

LEARN MORE & APPLY NOW

Follow our website and social media pages to keep up to date!

Website: https://susrur.eu/  
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susrurproject/ 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/susrur/  
Twitter: https://twitter.com/susrurproject   
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susrurproject/ 

The project is co-funded by the European Union.

Grant Agreement number: 101085887