About us

Project Background

FU-TOURISM is a groundbreaking programme that empowers tourism SMEs to thrive in the green and digital era. By creating a network of business support organisations in six European countries, FU-TOURISM provides funding and expertise to 102 SME projects that aim to transform their tourism practices. FU-TOURISM helps tourism SMEs to become more sustainable, resilient, and innovative, while contributing to the European Green Deal and Digital Single Market.

It is a collaborative project that brings together seven European countries, six of which provide direct Business Support Services to SMEs trough experienced partners: EUPOLIS (HR), FINNOVA (BE, ES), ENVOLVE (GR), SYNYO (AT), and VESTB (PL). The total cost of the project is € 4 182 065.13, of which € 3 999 998.98 is funded by the EU COSME programme.

Project Facts

Duration

09/2023 to 09/2026

Programme

COSME

SMP-COSME-2022-TOURSME-01

SMP Action Grant Budget-Based [SMP-AG]

Grant ID

101121573

Coordinator

EUPOLIS GRUPA D.O.O.

Project Methodology

FU-TOURISM supports the EU ambitions to address the common challenges of the tourism sector, such as crisis prevention and management, digital and green transition, socioeconomic and environmental sustainability as well as quality job creation and support for SMEs. The project adopts a whole-system approach for change, focusing on single destinations and applying the concept of Industry 5.0, which puts the human and social-impact dimensions at the centre of technological, industrial development and capital growth. The project involves a consortium of partners from seven European countries, who offer business support services, data strategy and methodology and pilot schemes to the tourism SMEs.

Project Results

Result 01

Impact Monitoring Network for sustainable tourism

Result 02

Repository of best practices for sustainable and digital tourism sector

Result 03

A scalable and transferable project model that enhances local and EU tourism ecosystems

Result 04

Effective and interactive communication tools that increase the project´s visibility

Result 05

A platform and network of clusters with locally enabled ecosystems

Result 06

Developing a platform and network of clusters, with locally enabled ecosystems

Deliverables

Project Structure

WP1 Programme Design, Preparation and Setup

Map and scope sustainable tourism tools, develop an impact framework and metrics, design capacity building and training programs, and measure tourism’s innovation impact.

WP2 Programme, Implementation and Development

Implement 2 EU demonstrators, embed sustainable digital tourism practices, support SME pivots, create best practices repository, train 300+ SMEs, develop innovative projects.

WP3 Upscaling and Expanding

Expand the project in EU tourism, strengthen local ecosystems, engage with project methods, and ensure continuation and wider impact.

WP4 Trans-EU Transferability, Replication and Communication

Develop and promote communication tools, disseminate project findings, support sustainable tourism policy, and ensure long-lasting impact through strategic engagement.

WP5 Project Management

Coordinate project activities, manage legal and financial aspects, facilitate partner communication, drive innovation, maintain quality, and meet deliverables on time.