
This online guide highlights the wide range of funding programmes financed by the new budget, multiannual financial framework 2021-2027, and Next Generation EU. With these resources and this guide, we're supporting the move towards a more digital, sustainable and inclusive EU.
The guide will help you find appropriate funding. It contains links to relevant EU programme websites with the latest developments (such as annual work programmes or calls for proposals) and further details per programme. For inspiration, you can also see concrete project examples funded by previous EU programmes. The guide is available in all EU languages via a high-quality machine translation tool.
This guide focuses on practical issues related to the most important EU funding programmes for the tourism sector. Find out about your eligibility, which activities are eligible, the different types of funding, and where to apply & when. For brevity's sake, the guide only covers what is essential to find the relevant programme.
Step 1: Identify the relevant programmes and financial instruments
Find the most relevant programmes through the online guide’s three questions.
- On eligibility: Who can apply?
- On the programme’s topic: Which actions can receive funding?
- On the type of support: What kind of funding is available?
Disclaimer: For some programmes the annual work programme 2022 has not yet been adopted. Therefore, the information in this guide may be subject to future changes.
Step 2: Get familiar with the call-specific forms documentation (online)
Download the information package, usually including a 'guide' with advice on preparation and submission. If the information is not clear to you, feel free to use the dedicated interface (e.g. functional mailbox, online page, etc.).
Step 3: Find partners where useful or required
Some (sub)programmes support cross-border or trans-European projects. You may then need partners based in other EU countries to form a consortium.
Many programme websites or pages advertising a specific call contain a section where potential partners can post their offer or request.
Step 4: Submit your proposal, offer or application on time
Additional information
- Before you apply: EU funding for beginners | European Commission (europa.eu)
- General information on funding and tenders opportunities | European Commission (europa.eu)
- Find call for proposals & tenders (europa.eu)
- Find your EU funding programme for the environment
- Discover funding opportunities for the cultural and creative sectors
In 2020, the EU introduced a stimulus package worth €2.018 trillion (in current prices). It consists of the EU’s long-term budget for 2021 to 2027 under the multiannual financial framework and NextGenerationEU, a temporary instrument to power the recovery. These resources will be allocated toward the green deal, digitalisation, and unforeseen circumstances.
Actors in the tourism ecosystem may also be eligible.
See the EU’s 2021-2027 long-term budget & NextGenerationEU.
For feedback on this online Guide on EU funding please contact GROW-G1@ec.europa.eu
Local business support
- Enterprise Europe Network – EEN offers SMEs free advice on funding opportunities through a network of local contact points. It also offers the possibility to find partners and create international partnerships. You can also see its 'Tourism and Cultural Heritage Sector Group'.
- Professional organisations may also provide similar support.
Technical assistance for applicants
- European Investment Advisory Hub - EIAH, a contact point for advisory expertise to help projects get funding
- Joint Assistance to Support Projects in European Regions - JASPERS by the European Commission and by the European Investment Bank provides free assistance to local authorities and promoters, especially on project preparation, independent quality reviews and capacity building.
More useful links
- Search on Access to finance - Your Europe (europa.eu) for financial opportunities in your country filtered by loans and EU-supported venture capital.
- The European Small Business portal signposts relevant information for SMEs.
Tourism-related calls in funding and tenders from the Single Electronic Data Interchange Area
Selected calls for SME support under the Single Market Programme
- RESETTING - Second call for tourism SMEs (TOURINN-01-2020, RESETTING)
- SMEs TRAnsition for a European Circular Tourism Ecosystem (SMP-COSME-2021-TOURSME-01), deadline 30 June 2023 (17:00)
- ACCELERATOR call for supporting SMEs in the tourism sector (SMP-COSME-2021-TOURSME-01), deadline 04 July 2023 (17:00)
- European Tourism Sustainability Monitoring 2030 (SMP-COSME-2021-TOURSME-01), deadline 5 July 2023 (17:00)
- ECOTOURS - MSME’s support for circular tourism (SMP-COSME-2021-TOURSME-01), deadline 10 August 2023 (17:00)
Selection of future and currently open funding & tenders
- Development of Product Environmental Footprint Category Rules (PEFCRs) and Acquisition of Relevant Environmental Footprint (EF) Compliant Datasets for Hotel Accommodation Sector (GROW/2023/OP/0001), deadline 13 June 2023 (16:00)
- European Urban Initiative Innovative Actions – Sustainable tourism (Second call for proposals) deadline October 2023
- Beyond the state-of-the-art ‘biometrics on the move’ for border checks (HORIZON research and innovation actions, planned opening 29/06/23, HORIZON-CL3-2023-BM-01-03) deadline 23 November 2023 (17:00)
- Creation of a code of conduct for online ratings and reviews for tourism accommodation (Planned call for tenders with OJ S publication, GROW/2022/OP/0042-PIN) latest possible deadline 29 November 2023 (23:59)
- Supporting the sustainability and resilience of EU tourism destinations (GROW/2023/OP/0002) deadline 20 June 2023 (16:00)
- Systemic circular solutions for sustainable tourism (HORIZON Innovation Actions, planned opening 17/10/23, HORIZON-CL6-2024-CircBio-01-4) deadline 22 February 2024 (17:00)
- Advanced user-friendly, compatible, secure identity and travel document management (HORIZON Innovation Actions, HORIZON-CL3-2024-BM-01-02) deadline 20 November 2024 (17:00)
Examples of calls for skills development (mostly under Erasmus+)
- Partnership for Excellence - Centres of Vocational Excellence (ERASMUS-EDU-2023-PEX-COVE), deadline 8 June 2023
- More funding opportunities for industrial ecosystems included in the Pact for SkillsEN
Selected calls focussing on innovation and/or sustainability (not tourism-specific)
- Circular Economy, resources from Waste, Air, Water, Soil, Noise, Chemicals, Bauhaus (LIFE-2023-SAP-ENV-ENVIRONMENT) deadline 6 September 2023 (17:00)
- Nature & Biodiversity and Circular Economy & Quality of Life (LIFE-2023-PLP-NAT-ENV, includes topics related to the management of Nature 2000 sites and other protected areas), deadline 7 September 2023 (17:00)
- A European collaborative cloud for cultural heritage – Innovative tools for digitising cultural heritage objects (HORIZON research and innovation actions, HORIZON-CL2-2023-HERITAGE-ECCCH-01-02) deadline 21 September 2023 (17:00)
- A European collaborative cloud for cultural heritage (HORIZON innovation actions, HORIZON-CL2-2023-HERITAGE-ECCCH-01-01) deadline 21 September 2023 (17:00)
- Climate Change Adaptation (LIFE-2023-SAP-CLIMA-CCA, includes management of coasts and marine areas, climate-proofing of buildings) deadline 21 September 2023
- Europe’s cultural heritage and arts – promoting our values at home and abroad (HORIZON Innovation Actions, planned opening 04/10/23, HORIZON-CL2-2024-HERITAGE-01-04) deadline 7 February 2024 (17:00)
- Unlock the potential of the New European Bauhaus in urban food system transformation (HORIZON innovation actions, planned opening 17/10/23, HORIZON-CL6-2024-COMMUNITIES-01-1) deadline 22 February 2024 (17:00)
- Additional activities for the European Partnership for a climate-neutral, sustainable and productive blue economy (HORIZON Programme co-funded actions, planned opening 17/10/23, HORIZON-CL6-2024-GOVERNANCE-01-1) deadline 28 February 2024 (17:00)
Last updated: 22 May 2023
Filtreeri
Guide on EU funding for tourism (17)
RSSCreative Europe Programme
Creative Europe is the European Union's programme for support to the cultural and creative sectors, including the audiovisual sector.
Digital Europe Programme
The Digital Europe work programme, which runs from 2021 to 2022, shapes and supports the digital transformation of Europe’s society and economy. Its ultimate goal is to support the strategic autonomy of the EU single market.
Erasmus+
Erasmus+ is the EU programme in the fields of education, training, youth and sport. These are key areas that support citizens in their personal and professional development.
European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development
The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) under the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD or so-called Second Pillar) supports the vibrancy and economic viability of rural communities through rural development measures.
European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers (EGF)
The European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF), launched in 2007, helps people find new jobs through further education or training or helps them start their own business.
European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF)
The fund supports actions and investments that contribute to the protection of aquatic biodiversity and to sustainable and low-impact fishing and aquaculture activities. It also promotes the supply of quality and healthy seafood products to European consumers.
European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and Cohesion Fund
In order to strengthen the environmental, socioeconomic sustainability and resilience of tourism in the long term, regions and countries are encouraged to help transform the sector by learning from innovative solutions.
European Social Fund Plus (ESF+)
The ESF+ has a total budget of over €99 billion. It invests in people, creating and protecting job opportunities, promoting social inclusion, fighting poverty and developing the skills needed for the digital and green transition.
Horizon Europe
Research and innovation framework programme, running from 2021-27. It has a budget of around €95.5 billion for 2021-27 (in current prices), including €5.4 billion from NextGenEU to boost the economic recovery and make the EU more resilient for the future, and €4 billion reinforcement.
InvestEU
The InvestEU programme will promote investments to strengthen tourism’s competitiveness, sustainability, and value chains. It will facilitate sustainable, innovative and digital measures, which could help reduce the sector’s climate and environmental footprint.
Just Transition Fund (JTF)
The Fund aims to reduce the social and economic costs resulting from the transition to an EU climate-neutral economy by supporting diversification of economic activity, creating new business opportunities and helping people adapt to a changing labour market.
LIFE Programme
Funds projects in environment and climate action. Tourism activities related to green transition can benefit from the programme. Particularly tourism projects supporting the circular economy, energy efficiency and renewable energy measures, as well as climate-neutrality may be eligible.
REACT-EU
As a part of the NextGenerationEU, REACT-EU provides additional €50.6 billion (in current prices) for assistance aimed at fostering development in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and its social consequences, as well as preparing a green, digital and resilient recovery of the economy.
Recovery and Resilience Facility
Its aim is to mitigate the economic and social impact of the COVID-19 crisis and make European economies and societies more sustainable, resilient and better prepared for the challenges and opportunities of the green and digital transitions.
Single Market Programme (SMP)
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. Annex 2 focuses on improving the competitiveness of enterprises, particularly SMEs, and supporting their access to markets.
Support by European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)
Projects financed by EBRD address a wide area of sustainable practices and associated market trends in tourism. Out of the EBRD’s 39 countries of operation, 12 are located within the EU. There are 3 programmes with specific relevance to the tourism sector.
Support by the European Investment Bank (EIB)
The European Investment Bank is the lending arm of the European Union. The EIB offers loans, guarantees, equity investments and advisory services and operates both in the EU and around the world.