Frequent Asked Questions - FAQs

Can I participate as an individual SME? 
Yes, single tourism Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SME) as per EU recommendation 2003/361, can participate. You will find all the specific criteria in section 2.1 Eligibility Criteria.

Is it possible to participate as a partnership?
Yes, partnerships can participate: partnerships of 2-4 tourism SMEs and also partnerships of 2-4 entities, including at least one tourism SME and one public or private entity.
For partnerships submitting a project, they must designate an application coordinator who will be responsible for submitting the application and all required documents through the project’s official website.

Can partnerships be composed of entities from different nationalities?
No, it is not possible. The awarding process is conducted on a national basis, so partnerships must consist of entities from the same country.

How many projects will be awarded?
The project will award 60 projects that promote digital innovation and sustainability among European tourism SMEs. Each innovative project will receive a maximum lump sum of €30,000 (excluding VAT). For each participating country (Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Spain), there will be 12 selected projects.

Could I be selected in a country that is not my own?
No, you can only be selected by your home nation, even if another country selects fewer projects than required.

Are there any restrictions on participation?
All the restrictions are written in section 2.1.1 Restrictions on participation. In general terms, SMEs cannot participate if they are:
- In bankrupt or undergoing liquidation/insolvency procedures;
- In similar situations due to national procedures;
- Non-compliant with regulations;
- Not maintaining proper accounting records.

What is the deadline for submitting applications?
The submission period for project proposals is from 16 September 2024 - 09:00 CET, to 27 November 2024 - 17:00 CET.

What documents are required for the application?
The application must include:
- Application form template - ANNEX I (ANNEX Ia for partnerships or ANNEX Ib for single SMEs). You don't need to upload it as it is included in the online application form.
- Project Plan - ANNEX II: Details of the project activities, outputs and costs. To be filled out and signed. For partnerships, it should be signed by the Legal Representative of the Coordinator. There are separate tabs for single SME applications and partnership applications.
- Company register certificate(s). In case of partnerships, all certificates must be compilled in one file.
- Declaration of Honour -ANNEX III signed by the Legal Representative. It should be signed by the legal representative. For partnerships, each member must sign a separate document but all of them must be compiled and uploaded in one file.
You will find more detailed information in section 3.2 Submission Process.
You can also download the ANNEXES I, II & III here.

Are additional documents that explain the innovative project mandatory.
No, additional documentation for the innovative project is not mandatory. They are optional and must be included in one file.

When will the selection results be announced?
The publication of the lists of winning SMEs will be released in January 2025. You can refer to section 7 Calendar to see approximate dates.

How will the funds be allocated?
Payments will be made through lump sums, meaning that funding will be provided in fixed and predetermined amounts at specific stages of the project. You will receive the first pre-financing of 20% with the start of the innovative project. Upon project completion, awarded SMEs/partnerships must submit the Final Report within two months of the project's end, as specified in the IPA. Following acceptance of the Final Report, the remaining 50% of the total lump sum will be paid within 60 calendar days.

Within what timeframe must the winning projects be implemented?
The project must be executed within a 12 month period of implementation and you also need 2 months to complete the Reporting process, based on the Implementation Plan Agreement, that will be signed, in order to commence the implementation phase of the innovative projects. The coordinator and the national fuTOURISME project partner.The winning SMEs are required to submit interim and final reports, as well as supporting documentation.

What are the criteria for determining the best projects?
The selection criteria will be according to relevance,innovation, quality, and impact. Each section will receive a maximum of 25 points and a minimum of 14, for a total score of 100. Only applicants who reach a minimum of 70 points will be considered eligible. If the score is equal, in case of equal score, the submission with the innovation has the edge. For more information, see section 4.1 Awarding Criteria.

What happens if an applicant's project is completed before the expected deadline?
If a project is completed early, the project partners will assess the implementation and process the financial disbursement within 60 days upon submission of the final report.

How can applicants get assistance with their submissions?
Applicants can contact the country-based help facilities for technical support regarding the online application form. It is mandatory to contact them at least 5 days before the deadline.

What happens if the final report is not accepted?
If the final report is not accepted, the final payment will not be made until and if issues raised are resolved.

What kind of Deliverables/Outputs can be included in the Project Plan?
Indicative outputs and deliverables that can be included in the Project Plan are report, executive Summary, Photos, Videos, Certificate, Boarding Pass, Hotel invoice. This should be considered based on the nature of activities.

What can be included under the cost category External expertise or services?
This category may include travel costs, events organisation costs, external experts costs, printing material costs, digital campaigns costs, training costs, conference fees, etc.

Are costs and activities related to infrastructures eligible?
No, these kinds of costs and activities are not eligible under this call.

What can be purchased as equipment for the innovative project?  Are there any restrictions related to equipment costs?
This can include any equipment such as tools, software, products, etc. that can support the implementation of the innovative project and is justified in the Project Plan and the Application Form. Equipment costs are limited to a maximum of 25% of the budget

In case of partnerships, is there any limitation to the innovative project budget?
Yes, in the case of partnerships that are including SMEs and other entities, public or private,  that play an instrumental role in helping the tourism SME(s) realise the innovative project, at least 70% of the budget should be allocated to tourism SME(s).