Scope of the programme

• Countries impacted: Italy (beneficiary level)
• Thematic axis: Sustainable tourism, capacity-building, environmental impact assessment
• Funding programme lineage (EU, national, regional): EU

Description of the project

• Project objective(s): Strengthen the sustainability profile of the micro enterprise by improving internal knowledge, assessing environmental impact, and increasing awareness of sustainability practices applicable to rural tourism activities.
• Duration: N/A
• Main activities:
  - Participation in targeted training sessions with a sustainability tourism expert
  - Analysis of enterprise data to understand environmental and operational impacts
  - Reflection on certification options and sustainability improvement pathways
• Outputs:
  - Increased internal capacity and knowledge on sustainable tourism practices
  - A clearer understanding of the enterprise’s environmental footprint
  - Foundations for future sustainability-oriented investments and certifications

Type of application

• Single applicant: Yes
• Consortium members: N/A
• Subcontractor: Yes – external sustainability expert (training and assessment services)

Success Factors

• Access to information: The funding opportunity was identified through a regional newsletter distributed by an agency supporting enterprises and start-ups in Apulia. Regular exposure to structured information flows enabled timely awareness of a relevant call.
• Use of support ecosystems: A cooperative acting as tutor within the Eco-Tours framework guided the SME throughout the process, providing step-by-step support and reducing uncertainty during application and implementation.
• Strategic fit with call priorities: The project aligned naturally with sustainability-focused objectives, allowing the SME to use funding in a coherent and targeted way without over-scaling beyond its real operational capacity.
• Team design & resources: Despite being a one-person enterprise, the SME compensated for limited internal capacity by relying on external experts funded through the grant.

Barriers & Challenges

• Limited internal capacity: As a solo entrepreneur, managing funding activities alongside daily operations required significant effort and prioritisation.
• Difficulty in understanding optimal use of funds: The SME initially lacked clarity on how best to allocate the funding (e.g. certification versus training), highlighting the challenge micro-enterprises face when making strategic decisions with limited financial envelopes.
• Language and technical complexity: Navigating EU-funded schemes required interpretation support, particularly when understanding available options and administrative logic.

Lessons learned

• Small grants can be highly impactful when well targeted: Even limited financial support can generate meaningful change when focused on knowledge-building and expert input rather than large investments.
• Guided support is essential for micro-enterprises: Having a tutor or intermediary significantly lowers barriers to entry and enables effective use of funds, especially for first-time or low-capacity applicants.

This best practice illustrates how very small tourism SMEs can successfully access EU cascade funding to strengthen their sustainability capacity without overextending their resources. Fattoria delle Api’s experience shows that modest grants, when paired with expert guidance and structured support, can deliver tangible learning outcomes and strategic clarity. The case is particularly relevant for micro rural tourism operators seeking to begin their sustainability journey through manageable, low-risk funding instruments rather than large-scale investment schemes.