EU FUNDING PROGRAMMES FOR TOURISM STAKEHOLDERS

The tourism sector is hereby defined as private and public entities promoting tourism destinations or developing tourism services. This development can be direct (e.g. National tourism offices) or indirect (entities training tourism workers  e.g. universities organising a master in tourism management.

The tourism sector encompasses a diverse range of stakeholders, from governments and public sector agencies to companies, private sector associations, multilateral and intergovernmental organisations and non-profit organisations:

 Parties contributing directly to the tourism value / supply chain include

• marketing & advertising;
• travel agents, on-line booking intermediation and tour operators;
• transports;
• accommodations;
• restaurants & cafés;
• attractions (theme park, ...);
• conference & events organisations; and
• destination management organisations.

 Sub-sectors contributing indirectly such as entities providing specialised training, auditing, …

Moreover, some of these parties layers are operating on different markets: adventure tourism; business tourism; cultural tourism; eco-tourism (biking, …); educational tourism (school trips, seminar vacation, study abroad experience …); fishing / hunting tourism; gastronomic tourism; health & wellness tourism; nature tourism; social tourism; etc.

Support for tourism stakeholders can come in many shapes and forms. Tourism stakeholders can benefit from EU funding programmes, either directly, via co-financing of projects, or indirectly, via studies or research, surveys, etc. carried out by the Commission through calls for tender specific to the tourism sector. But, in addition to tourism earmarked financial resources, tourism activities and projects can be funded under different EU financial instruments. This will depend on their focus and funding will be given on the condition that the objectives of the project match the different objectives and requirements specific to those financial programmes.

EUROPEAN REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT FUND

These programmes may for instance support:

• tourism-related research, technological development and innovation, including service innovation and clusters (tourism service incubators, living labs, demonstration projects, …)
• the development of tourism-related ICT products (apps, data mining, …)
• the development of innovative tourism services, in particular in less favoured and peripheral regions with underdeveloped industrial structures and strongly dependent on tourism (new business models, exploitation of new ideas, …)
• the development of high value added products and services in niche markets (health tourism, tourism for seniors, cultural and ecotourism, gastronomy tourism, sports tourism, etc.) by mobilising specific local resources and therefore contributing to smart regional specialisation clustering activities among different tourism industries as well as with creative industries, to diversify regional tourism products and extend the tourism season (e.g. in the nautical and boating tourism industry, as well as for the cruise industry).
• activities connecting the coastal regions to the hinterland for more integrated regional development
• measures to improve energy efficiency and renewable energy use among tourism SMEs
• the protection, promotion and development of natural and cultural tourism assets and related services
• small-scale cultural and sustainable tourism infrastructure
• measures in favour of entrepreneurship, self-employment and business creation as well as the internationalisation of tourism SMEs and clusters
• vocational training, skills upgrading

EUROPEAN COHESION FUND

This depends on the needs of each eligible Member State, as defined in their Operational Programmes.

EUROPEAN SOCIAL FUND

Eligible actions are listed in the "Operational Programmes" prepared by the Member States. Depending on their choices, funding from the European Social Fund may be used, among other things, for:

• training workers to help companies having to cope with restructuring or a lack of qualified workers
• training people in difficulty and those from disadvantaged groups to get better skills and jobs
• supporting mutual learning, establishing networks, and disseminating and promoting good practices and methodologies in the domain of social innovation

Most actions are regional or national, but the ESF can also support transnational and inter-regional co-operation, depending on the approach defined in Operational Programmes

EUROPEAN AGRICULTURAL AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT FUND

Eligible actions are listed in the national and regional "Rural Development Programmes" (RDP) prepared by the Member States. Depending on their choices, these RDPs may fund:

• vocational training and skills acquisition actions (courses, workshops, coaching … for instance on how to develop rural tourism), demonstration activities and information actions advisory services to help farmers, forest holders, other land managers and SMEs in rural areas to improve their economic performance
• business start-up aid as well as investments for non-agricultural activities in rural areas (rural accommodation, shops, restaurants, guided tours, …)
• drawing up and updating of plans for the development of municipalities and villages in rural areas
• investments for public use in recreational infrastructure, tourist information and small scale tourism infrastructure
• studies and investments associated with the maintenance, restoration and upgrading of the cultural and natural heritage of villages, rural landscapes and high nature value sites, including related socio-economic aspects, as well as environmental awareness actions
• co-operation involving at least two entities (creation of clusters and networks; co-operation among small operators in organising joint work processes and sharing facilities and resources and for the development and/or marketing of tourism services relating to rural tourism; …)

EUROPEAN MARITIME AND FISHERIES FUND

The EMFF may support operations such as:

• studies;
• projects, including test projects and cooperation projects;
• conferences, seminars, fora and workshops;
• public information and sharing best practice, awareness raising campaigns and associated communication and dissemination activities such as publicity campaigns, events, the development and maintenance of websites, stakeholder platforms
• professional training, life-long learning and the acquisition of new professional skills enabling professionals of the fisheries sector or their life partners to enter into tourism activities or to carry out complementary activities in the field of tourism.

LIFE

The most relevant actions are probably those envisaged under the so-called "Traditional Projects"   which may take different forms:

• pilot projects assess the effectiveness of a method/approach that is new or has been used in a different (geographical, ecological, socio-economic) context; they compare its results with those produced by best practices, in order to determine if the method should be tested on a larger scale (i.e. in a demonstration project) and inform stakeholders;
• demonstration projects test and evaluate a method/approach that is new or has been used in a different context; they inform other stakeholders of the results and, where appropriate, encourage them to apply these methods / approaches;
• best practice projects apply appropriate, cost-effective and state-of-the-art techniques, methods and approaches taking into account the specific context of the project
• information, awareness and dissemination projects related to one of the priority areas.

HORIZON 2020 – FRAMEWORK FOR RESEARCH AND INNOVATION

 MSCA: "Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions" funds in particular (a) "Individual Fellowships" enabling researchers to work on projects within or outside Europe; (b) "Innovative Training Networks" offering joint research training and/or doctoral programmes, implemented by universities, research institutions and non-academic organisations; and (c) "Research and Innovation Staff Exchange" enabling staff exchange i.a. between academic and non-academic sectors.

LEIT: This sub-section programme funds "Innovation Actions" and "Coordination and Support Actions" of interest for the tourism sector. "Innovation Actions" should, among other things, develop innovative Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) products, tools, applications & services for the cultural and creative sectors (e.g. 3D, augmented reality, advanced user interfaces, visual computing).  Proposals should clearly demonstrate their high commercial and innovation potential. "Coordination and Support Actions" focus on non-research activities such as disseminating results and promoting the use of ICT-driven innovation thanks to a sustainable network of 'multipliers'. They could also contribute to connect SMEs from the creative sectors with appropriate sources of funding (e.g. loans, venture capital, business angels' investment, crowd-funding …) and with international business networks.

REFLECTIVE: This sub-section programme funds in particular "Research & Innovation Actions", "Innovation Actions" and "Coordination and Support Actions" on transmission of European cultural heritage, uses of the past, 3D modelling for accessing EU cultural assets.

SME INSTRUMENT:  The SME instrument supports the assessment of the technical and commercial feasibility of an innovative concept as well as the development of a business plan. If the feasibility study concludes that this concept has potential but requires additional funding before it can be commercialised, the SME instrument may support the development and demonstration phases. Last but not least, it may facilitate access to risk finance

PROGRAMME FOR THE COMPETITIVENESS OF ENTERPRISES AND SMEs- COSME

The main beneficiaries include existing entrepreneurs (small businesses in particular), future entrepreneurs (including young people) as well as national, regional and local authorities.

ACCESS TO FINANCE: Any type of useful transaction or investment for the development of legitimate SMEs activities.

TOURISM ACTION PLAN: Some of the Tourism Action Plan's objectives are pursued through calls for Proposals and calls for tenders open to the tourism sector. These concern, among other things:

• the development and/or promotion of sustainable transnational thematic tourism products (linked, for instance, European routes dedicated to specific aspects of our cultural and industrial heritage, cycling trails, eco-tourism, maritime and sub-aquatic areas, etc.).
• the development and/or promotion of niche products exploiting synergies between tourism and creative industries at European level (e.g. European Route around high-end products)
• transnational public and private partnerships developing tourism products targeting specific age groups (e.g. seniors and youth) to increase tourism flows between European countries during the low and medium seasons
• capacity building schemes whereby managers, destination managers, entrepreneurs, …, can learn from experienced and successful 'accessible' operators, create synergies with other operators along the supply chain, explore new market opportunities and way to make business.

ERASMUS FOR YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS

This exchange scheme allows young entrepreneurs to spend 1 to 6 months with an experienced entrepreneur based in another European country and ready to act as a mentor. Young entrepreneurs and their hosts get to discover new European markets or business partners, different ways of doing business, and possibly decide to continue their collaboration on the longer-term (e.g. joint ventures, sub-contracting activities, contractor-supplier relationships). For young entrepreneurs, this action also eases the successful start of their business or strengthens their new enterprise. As for host entrepreneurs, they benefit from fresh ideas from a motivated new entrepreneur who may have specialised skills or knowledge which complement theirs.

CREATIVE EUROPE PROGRAMME

TRANSNATIONAL COOPERATION PROJECTS :  The "Culture sub-programme" funds transnational activities within and outside of the EU, aimed at developing, creating, producing, disseminating and preserving goods and services which embody cultural, artistic or other creative expressions. This encompasses activities to develop skills, competences and know-how, including how to adapt to digital technologies; to test new business and management models; to organise international cultural activities, such as touring events, exhibitions, exchanges and festivals; as well as to stimulate interest in, and improve access to, European cultural and creative works.

EUROPEAN NETWORKS: The "Culture sub-programme" supports European networks (i.e. structured groups of organisations) that strengthen the capacity of the cultural and creative sectors to operate transnationally and internationally, adapt to change and promote innovation. A limited number of networks with broad coverage will be supported across a balanced range of sectors. Greater synergies between existing networks are welcomed in order to reinforce their organisational and financial structure and avoid duplication of efforts.

EUROPEAN CAPITALS OF CULTURE: The title of "European Capital of Culture" is awarded each year to one city in two Member States, according to a chronological list of eligible Member States set for 2020-2033 (Croatia and Ireland in 2020; Romania and Greece in 2021 …). These cities have to create a cultural programme specifically for that year. The "Culture sub-programme" supports the implementation of this programme which has to highlight the richness and diversity of European cultures and the features they share, as well as to promote greater understanding between European citizens.

CROSS-SECTORAL STRAND: The Cross-sectoral strand will facilitate loans to cultural & creative enterprises and organisations. It will also support transnational policy cooperation activities across the cultural, creative and audio-visual sectors, for instance to exchange of experiences and know-how relating to new business and management models.

ERASMUS +

 In order to promote innovation and employability, the programme supports:

• learning opportunities for individuals through Mobility Projects for Higher Education Students and Staff, a loan guarantee scheme to help Master's degree students financing their studies abroad and Mobility Projects for VET Learners and Staff (Vocational Education and Training);
• cooperation between educational institutions, businesses, local and regional authorities and NGOs, mainly through Joint Master Degrees (i.e. high-level integrated international study programmes of 60, 90 or 120 ECTS), Strategic Partnerships (allowing organisations from different socio-economic sectors to develop and disseminate, among other things, innovative practices leading to high quality teaching, training, learning and youth work), Knowledge Alliances (to develop innovative and multidisciplinary approaches to teaching and learning, stimulate entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial skills among teaching staff and workers; facilitate the exchange, flow and co-creation of knowledge between higher education and enterprises) and Sector Skills Alliances (to design and deliver joint vocational training programmes and teaching / training methodologies, with particular focus on work-based learning, providing learners with the skills required by the labour market);
• not-for profit European sport events encouraging participation in sport and physical activity

EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIAL INNOVATION (EASI)

PROGRESS supports analytical work useful for policy-making, social innovation and social policy experimentation (i.e. testing innovative policies on a small scale and up-scaling the most successful ones, including with the European Social Fund support.

EURES supports workers' mobility and helps companies recruiting in another European country via targeted mobility schemes (e.g. "Your First EURES Job" for jobseekers between 18-30 years …). Besides job matching and job placement support, these schemes may cover part of the SMEs costs of training newly-recruited workers and helping them settle in. They may also help job-seekers to pay for interview trip and/or moving abroad to take up a new job.

MICROFINANCE FACILITY supports the setting up or development of small businesses, including for investment, leasing, and working capital needs, as well as the acquisition of licenses and other start-up costs. Financing cannot be used to cover credit lines such as overdrafts or short-term revolving facilities.

SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP supports the development of social enterprises, in particular by facilitating access to finance.