This call for SME applications has been launched to select a minimum of 175 SMEs from across Europe who will be able to benefit from a comprehensive support programme to help improve their sustainability performance. SMEs can choose to obtain support towards sustainability certification and/or implementation of innovative practices in their supply chain.
Background information
What is the SUSTOUR support programme for SMEs and what does it offer?
The SUSTOUR support programme for SMEs is financed under the EU COSME programme and designed to help tour operators and travel agencies in improving their sustainability performance. Travel companies interested to get started on sustainability or wishing to improve on their existing sustainability practices can benefit from a mix of innovative online trainings, multi-day classroom trainings, intensive coaching (group and individual) as well as peer-to-peer learning – all provided and guided by selected sustainable tourism experts.
How does the support programme work and what is required from companies?
Companies that have been selected in the call will be eligible to participate in a number of training and coaching sessions that are expected to start from end of June 2022 until June 30th, 2023. They will receive vouchers, which they have to hand over to pre-selected trainers, coaches and auditors after completion of an activity, who in turn will be paid by the SUSTOUR project.
Companies that participate in the SUSTOUR call for SME support will be required to sign an agreement committing themselves to following the activities provided under the support programme until the end of June 2023.
Who are the partner or supporting travel associations?
The project partner travel associations include ANVR (Netherland), APAVT (Portugal), SMAL (Finland) and UHPA (Croatia). The supporting travel associations include ABTTA (Bulgaria), ABTO (Belgium), ALTA (Latvia), ATTA (Adventure Travel Trade Association – Europe), ASR and DRV (Germany), DRF (Denmark), EDV and SETO (France), ETFL (Estonia), ETOA (Europe), FATTA (Malta), FTO (Italy), HATTA (Greece), MUISZ (Hungary), NTVA (Lithuania), SACKA (Slovakia), SRF (Sweden), UPAV and VVR (Belgium) and WKÖ (Austria).
Who can apply?
The call is open to travel agents and tour operators, who meet certain eligibility criteria. Among others, they need to be a SME and established in an EU Member State or a third country participating in the COSME programme.
Deadline for submission of applications: Tuesday 10 May, 2022
Expected duration of participation: end of June 2022 to June 30th, 2023
Maximum financial support for selected SMEs: SMEs selected by the call will receive vouchers for support services of a value up to 6,000€, depending on the options selected by the SME in its application form.
Language in which proposals must be submitted: English, but support services will be available in various languages.
Where can I apply and find further information?
The call details and application guidelines are available from the following website: https://www.travelife.info/sustour/?menu=call-for-smes
Official project reference: SUSTOUR, GRO/SME/19/C/077 (COS-TOURCOOP-2019-3-01)
About FATTA
FATTA is a registered employers association representing the majority of travel and tourism incoming and outgoing operators, destination management companies that organise meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) and destination wedding planners in Malta. FATTA is also registered as a full member of ECTAA having its representatives on the ECTAA Board in Brussels. ECTAA represents almost 70,000 Travel and Tourism Operators in the European Union.
For more information on FATTA please contact Iain Tonna on 9947 2589, [email protected] or visit our website at www.fatta.org