Open Call for Proposals: Development of New Tourism Products in Rural Areas in Kosovo

The Fostering Employment and Growth Opportunities (FEGO) project in Kosovo is financed by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) and implemented by Swisscontact in Kosovo. The project aims to generate employment and income for women, men, and youth living in poverty and socio-economic marginalization. This is intended to be achieved through sustainable and scalable growth of micro/small (family) businesses and start-ups, in the apparel, furniture, and rural tourism sectors.

FEGO applies a Market Systems Development (MSD) approach, specifically focusing on market facilitation through new, innovative business models to ensure large-scale sustainable changes in respective sectors. The project will reach its goal through supporting local communities operating with rural tourism activities, and their micro and small enterprises towards the development of rural tourism. This is aimed at contributing to more sustainable and inclusive market systems, improving income, and productivity, and enhancing job creation in the private sector, therefore contributing to addressing high unemployment and poverty rates in the country, especially amongst youth and women.

Purpose 

• The aim of this call is to identify tourism micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) located in rural regions of Kosovo that have concepts/ideas for co-investment in new and innovative tourism products. These products should fall under either attractions or activities (things to do and/or see) categories, with the goal of enhancing the tourism offer in rural regions in Kosovo.
• The FEGO project aims to enrich and diversify the tourism offer in Kosovo, through support to rural tourism MSMEs in co-investing in the development of new tourism products. One of the main problems identified in rural areas in Kosovo is the lack of things to do/see, leading to a limited tourism offer. Among the underlying causes for this problem were the lack of investment in the sector by the private and public sectors, limited financial resources, and the lack of expertise and know-how regarding tourism product development.

Funding Information

• Applicants should ensure matching funds contribution by at least 50% of the total project. The maximum contribution of the FEGO project will be €30,000.

Eligible Ideas

• Innovative tourism commercial products that fall under attractions or activities (things to do and/or see) that will improve the tourism offer in Kosovo. Priority will be given to applicants from the following destinations, where the FEGO project is actively involved in developing the tourism offer: Zym, Kamenice, Ferizaj (specifically Jezerc, Nerodime, Pleshine, Burrnik), Rahovec, and Viti.
• Ideas should encompass innovative products and services promising to increase the number of tourists and spending in a destination, impacting the entities offering these services through an increase in their income generation, and the community.

They do not Support 

• FEGO will not support investments in construction, renovation, and similar investments in accommodations, restaurants, cafes, and other hospitality sector units. Operational costs related to the investment will also not be considered.

Eligibility Criteria

• Formal private sector companies with at least one year of financial record
• The minimum investment amount of €15,000
• Generates employment and income in the sector.

For more information, visit FEGO.