Why is it relevant to tourism?
The SMP Work Programme 2021 aims to provide EU countries the tools to recover and repair from the COVID-19 crisis. The final objective is to make the single market stronger and more resilient. The 2021 work programme is composed of five annexes, which are aligned with the overall objectives of the SMP. Annex 2 is relevant for the field as it focuses on improving the competitiveness of enterprises, particularly SMEs, and supporting their access to markets, including businesses from the tourism sector.
Overview of tourism-related components
The SMP aims to boost the competitiveness and sustainability of SMEs, including in the tourism sector. One important pillar of the SMP aims to foster the competitiveness, capacity building and sustainability of enterprises especially SMEs including those in the tourism sector.
Selection of relevant calls for tourism related to Annex 2 of the Work Programmes 2021 and 2022 (tbc)
- COVID-19 Recovery – Sustainable growth in tourism – support to SMEs
Open for submission - deadline 2 March 2022. The action is to guide the forward-looking recovery of the tourism ecosystem by providing support to the digital and green transformation of tourism companies, particularly SMEs, and boosting innovation, resilience, sustainability and quality along the tourism value chain.
The activity may also include provision of financial support to third parties, e.g. SMEs and B2B matchmaking. The maximum co-financing rate shall be up to 100% of the eligible costs for financial support to third parties and up to 90% of the eligible costs for all other cost categories.
- Promoting trans-European tourism products in third countries
The specific objective of this project is to contribute to a series of large marketing campaigns carried out in cooperation and with contributions from national/regional tourism promotion bodies, by supporting the ‘Joint Promotion Platform for Destination Europe’ (JPP) set up by the European Travel Commission (ETC), with EU support. These campaigns would combine, among other things, digital campaigns on the web and social media, broad outreach and public relations through cooperation with media, attendance to travel trade exhibitions and familiarisation trips.
Fostering innovative, smart and inclusive solutions in tourism SMEs through the European Capital of Smart Tourism and European Destinations of Excellence (EDEN) awards. This initiative includes the implementation of two Union-wide competitions for the selection and award of destinations in 2024 and 2025.
Details of the programme
The SMP has a €4.2 billion budget for the 2021-2027 period. It focuses on the following main areas of action
- improve the governance of the internal market
- strengthen the competitiveness of EU industry especially SMEs
- promote human, animal, plant health and animal welfare
- establish the framework for European statistics
The SMP combines activities from predecessor programmes which, in synergy with new activities as well, aim to preserve the correct functioning of the internal market, even under challenging circumstances.
Additional information and how to apply
SMP on Funding & Tender opportunities
Find call for proposals (europa.eu)
Examples of supported projects
Examples from the COSME programme, a predecessor of SMP
Project Title: FAMOUS Project – Movie Travel (Brand of the FAMOUS Project)
Description: Movie Travel aims to create itineraries and cultural experiences across UNESCO sites (European destinations) that have appeared in well-renowned movies or that host international film festivals. The FAMOUS project offers the opportunity to join an international network with great expansion possibilities in a sector that year after year improves its market share in the European economy. The project involves a consortium of 8 partners from Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Malta and Spain.
EU contribution: €286,630
Level of EU funding: 75%
Link to project: movietravel.eu
Project Title: The Wildsea Atlantic Ocean Heritage Route: A dive into adventure
Description: The project aims to develop the first European, sustainable diving route and network connecting world-class diving sites from the extreme south in Portugal and Spain to the far north, encompassing Ireland and the UK. The route will promote Europe’s 5,000 km of Atlantic and flagship diving sites, which will encourage transnational tourism itineraries and destinations in synergy with water sports and Europe’s unique, Atlantic marine cultural heritage, leading to an innovative product.
EU contribution: €299,920
Level of EU funding: 75%
Link to project: The WILDSEA Atlantic Heritage
Project Title: TOURISME
Description: The project will assist companies covering different areas of tourism, including natural, coastal and cultural tourism, and will be linked to various public events. It will also cover hotels and other similar accommodation, short stay accommodation, travel agencies and booking services for travelers with related activities.
Total budget: €1,322,050.93
Link to project: TOURISME
Links to several sustainable transnational tourism products co-funded through the COSME programme
Database of examples
Not (yet) available
COSME data hub (predecessor of SMP)