Open Call for SUSRUR Project’s COLLABORATE Program

The SUSRUR project’s COLLABORATE Program is targeting SMEs in the tourism sector across five European rural and remote areas. SUSRUR – Towards SUStainability and resilient scenarios for tourism SMEs in RUral & Remote Areas, SUSRUR project (GA 101085887), is a European project co-funded by the European Union (EU) under the SME pillar of the Single Market Program (SMP/SME Pilar), through the call COVID-19 Recovery Through Sustainable Tourism Growth and SME Support.

During the implementation of the Collaborate Program, applicants will have access to specialised consulting services.

Objectives

• SUSRUR Open Call #3 has the below objectives: To develop skills and capacity building at management level which will enhance the SMEs overall performance towards digital and green transition.

Funding Information

• SUSRUR Open Call #3 indicative budget is EUR 300 000.00 to support up to 50 applicants with up to EUR 6 000.00 (lump sum grant).

Outcomes

• Expected outcomes from SUSRUR Open Call #3 are as follows:
  • Contribute to an enhanced sustainability performance and accelerate the twin green and digital transitions in the eligible regions; and,
  • Increase the resilience capacity and provide resources and knowledge to rural tourism SMEs to boost their sustainability and digital skills.

Eligible Activities

• Activities supported by SUSRUR Open Call #3 are as follows:
  • Access to specialised consultancy services in two of the selected areas from a pool  of service providers indicated by the SUSRUR consortium:
  • Digital Marketing Plan
  • Sustainability Action Plan
  • Technology and Innovation Survey for the circular economy of rural tourism SMEs
  • Technology and Innovation survey for the clean energy transition of rural tourism SMEs
  • Technology and Innovation survey for the digitalisation of rural tourism SMEs

Eligible Countries

• Eligible Regions
  • Only applicants legally based on one of the following five regions are eligible under the call:
    • Asturias (Spain)
    • Western Macedonia (Greece)
    • Harghita (Romania)
    • Utena (Lithuania)
    • Steirisches Vulkanland (Austria)

Eligibility Criteria

• SUSRUR Open Call #3 applicants are SMEs legally based on one of the Eligible Regions. A SME will be considered as such if accomplishing with the European Commission Recommendation 2003/361/EC and the SME qualification guide.
• In addition, financial support to third parties under the call will be limited to Tourism enterprises under at least one of the following NACE classes:
  • H49 – Land transport and transport via pipelines
  • I55 – Accommodation
  • I56 – Food and beverage service activities
  • N79 – Travel agency, tour operator reservation service and related activities
  • R90 – Creative, arts and entertainment activities
  • R91 – Libraries, archives, museums and other cultural activities
  • R93 – Sports activities and amusement and recreation activities
• Note: Other NACE classes may be eligible since they are aligned with the scope of the project and as long as they relate to SMEs working in tourism.

For more information, visit SUSRUR.