Deadline: 31-May-2026
The Sustainable Tourism Programme is inviting applications to strengthen eco-tourism and improve local livelihoods through capacity building and financial support initiatives.
The programme focuses on building local capacities for sustainable tourism, supporting the development and management of small tourism businesses including bed and breakfast facilities and small hotels, enhancing visitor attraction management and marketing skills, improving customer care, and fostering the creation of new or upgraded tourism products linked to protected areas such as National Parks Pelister, Galicica, Ezerani, Prespa Lake, along with nearby rural communities.
The initiative is part of the project “EU for Prespa – Restoration of Natural Resources and Enhancing Sustainable Agriculture and Tourism,” which promotes sustainable management and use of natural resources to improve quality of life and drive economic development through green pathways in agriculture and tourism. The programme includes both capacity-building measures and financial assistance aimed at expanding and improving accommodation facilities, developing bicycle and hiking paths, promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency, and enhancing tourism-related services.
The capacity-building component is designed to equip beneficiaries with practical knowledge and skills required to operate tourism services effectively. It includes training on running tourism businesses, managing accommodation facilities, marketing strategies, and developing new tourism products. Selected consultants will also provide mentorship support to beneficiaries during the implementation of their projects.
The funding available under this call ranges from EUR 20,000 to EUR 30,000 per applicant, with a mandatory minimum co-financing contribution of 25 percent from beneficiaries. A total budget of EUR 250,000 has been allocated for this call. Only accommodation facilities located within the Municipality of Resen are eligible for support.
Eligible applicants include individuals engaged in tourism activities as sole proprietors who are registered or in the process of registration under the Law on Tourism Activities in the Republic of North Macedonia. Applicants must be listed in the register maintained by the mayor of the Municipality of Resen and must demonstrate experience in tourism or accommodation management, along with compliance with safety, environmental, and operational standards.
For more information, visit UNDP.
