Tourism stakeholders across Europe are in the final days to submit proposals for the EU's Supporting Sustainable Competitiveness in Tourism (SMP-COSME-2026-TOURSME-01) funding opportunity, which aims to promote the green and digital transformation of the tourism sector.

This call, launched by the European Commission through EISMEA, prioritizes supporting thematic and geographic tourism routes and enhancing the ecosystems around them. The goal is to develop not only new tourism products but also long-lasting, self-sufficient cooperation structures that boost the resilience and competitiveness of tourism SMEs across Europe.

The initiative aligns closely with the EU Tourism Transition Pathway and the EU Agenda for Tourism 2030, emphasising sustainability, innovation, and resilience in tourism growth. The European Commission states that the selected projects should help SMEs adopt greener, more digital business models while fostering balanced regional development and cooperation. The total budget for this call is €6.9 million, with individual project grants expected to range from €1.2 to €1.4 million. The European Commission plans to support around five large-scale projects through this initiative. 

The call highlights the importance of projects that tackle key issues shaping European tourism today. These include seasonality, over-tourism, climate adaptation, rural and peripheral development, and the push for more diverse and sustainable tourism experiences. The routes and tourism ecosystems created via the programme aim to boost economic growth and improve community wellbeing. The call specifically endorses thematic tourism sectors such as cultural, gastronomic, sports, and nature-based tourism, while promoting authentic, locally rooted experiences. Eligibility criteria emphasise transnational collaboration, requiring proposals to be submitted by consortia of five to eight independent organisations from at least two eligible countries. Crucially, each consortium must include at least three destination management organisations (DMOs) and two business support organisations (BSOs). 

This framework embodies a broader EU strategy for tourism development, emphasising collaboration among destinations, SMEs, public authorities, and support organisations as crucial for enhancing long-term resilience and competitiveness. For stakeholders developing applications, timing is vital, with the submission deadline set for 20 May 2026 at 17:00 CEST, leaving limited time to finalise partnerships and proposals. Official details about the call can be found on the EU Tourism Platform and the EISMEA funding portal: EU Tourism Platform – Supporting sustainable competitiveness in tourism; EISMEA funding page – SMP-COSME-2026-TOURSME-01. 

As Europe shifts its focus towards sustainability, resilience, and quality experiences in tourism, this call stands out as one of the most significant funding opportunities for tourism cooperation projects. Destinations and organisations prepared to establish ambitious transnational partnerships may find these final days crucial.

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#Stakeholder Engagement #Resilience Planning