Funding Opportunities

Call for collaborative projects for
tourism SMEs

EU funding opportunity! PHOENIX 4.0 -
Single Market Programme (SMP–COSME)

PHOENIX 4.0 is committed to helping tourism SMEs secure financial support and resources to drive their digital, sustainable, and resilient transformation.
Through the Alliance Initiative, businesses can access grants ranging from €15,000 to €25,000, expert mentorship, and strategic partnerships to develop and implement innovative solutions for the tourism industry.

Apply for the Call

What is this call about?
‍PHOENIX 4.0 supports collaborative projects led by tourism SMEs aiming to develop innovative, resilient and sustainable solutions for the tourism ecosystem, in line with theEU Tourism Transition Pathway.
The call promotes collaboration within tourism and across sectors to accelerate the greenand digital transition of tourism SMEs.

Who is this call for?
✔ Tourism SMEs from: Croatia (Dubrovnik), France, Iceland, Kosovo, Slovenia, Spain
✔ Eligible applicants for funding must be SMEs operating directly in the tourism industry
✔ Tourism SMEs will act as Lead Applicants
✔ Consortia composed of 2 to 5 independent organisations (1 lead + 1–4 partners)

Eligible partnership types
‍Tourism SMEs can partner with other tourism businesses, larger entities, or cross-sector organizations. At least half of the partners must be Tourism SMEs, ensuring industry-driven innovation and impact *.

tourism smes only picto

Tourism SMEs only

hotels, travel agencies, tour operators, experience providers...
tourism sme + another tourism picto

Tourism SMEs + Tourism Ecosystem Actors

DMOs, NGOs, associations, public or private entities
tourism sme + cross-sector picto

Tourism SMEs + Cross-sector Organisations

culture, digital, agri-food, creative industries, social economy, etc

* Transnational projects that involve collaborative partners from multiple eligible countriesare encouraged and may receive additional evaluation points.

How it Works ?
This competition empowers Tourism SMEs to collaborate, innovate, and shape the future of the industry. With expert support and funding, participants will turn bold ideas into real solutions, gaining visibility and new opportunities along the way.

01

15th of January 2026
14:00 CET

Official launch of the Phoenix 4.0 Call for Funding

02

Partners

SMEs will form collaborative partnerships (2 to 5 partners) to develop solutions for tourism-related challenges.

03

Focus areas

✔ Sustainability
✔ Digital transformation
✔ Accessibility
✔ Risk management
✔ Market expansion

04

Financial Support

Selected projects receive financial support, 15000€ (Kosovo) to 25000€ (All regions) , expert mentorship, and guidance to develop and implement their solutions.

04

18th of
March 2026 17:00 CET

Deadline

April 2026

Notification of results

What do selected projects receive?
‍✔ Grant per project: €25 000 (all regions) | 15 000€ (Kosovo).
✔ Total: 45 collaborative projects will be supported
✔ 100% lump sum funding (40% paid upfront, max. 30 days after the grant contract signature)
✔ Project duration: 9 months (expected: July 2026 – March 2027)

Why take part?
‍✔ Access EU funding to test and implement innovative solutions, new business ideas,new products, market studies, etc
✔ Strengthen business resilience and sustainability
✔ Collaborate with complementary partners
✔ Gain visibility within a European tourism innovation ecosystem

The application process
It consists of a three-step procedure:

01

Registration & eligibility check

02

Submission of a technical proposal

including budget and partnership agreement

03

Project pitch at a National Demo Day

Teams will pitch their projects at the national/regional-level Demo Days (online session in local language)

✔ Projects are evaluated by independent experts based on predefined criteria (quality,innovation, collaboration, sustainability, impact)
✔ Projects must score at least 50/100 to be eligible

Timeline and key information
‍✔ Grant per project: €25 000 (all regions) | 15 000€ (Kosovo). Total: 45 collaborative projects will be supported
✔ 100% lump sum funding (40% paid upfront, max. 30 days after the grant contract signature)
✔ Project duration: 9 months (expected: July 2026 – March 2027)

Info Session Day
‍We strongly recommend that you attend the info session day. This online session (in English language) will provide a detailed explanation of the call and answer questions. It will take place on 27 January 2026 at 10 am CET.

Click on the button below to register to the session

Please Register here

Application form
and Documents

Click on the link below to submit your application : :
Application form for the Call For Funding

Click on each document to download :
Phoenix 4.0 Call for Funding Guidelines (PDF)FAQ
Annexes:
a. Contacts (PDF)
‍b. Glossary of terms and definitions (PDF)
‍c. Processing of personal data (PDF)
‍d. Definition of topics (PDF)
‍e. Examples of projects by type (PDF)
‍f. Courtesy Application Form, including the Declaration of Honour (Word format)
‍f. Budget breakdown template v2 (Excel format)
‍g. Partnership Agreement template (Word)

Join us

Why Join PHOENIX 4.0?
Become part of an engaged European community of innovative SMEs and expert partners working together to shape the future of tourism. PHOENIX 4.0 offers tailored support, access to advanced technologies, and collaboration opportunities within a dynamic network. Together, we are building a more resilient, sustainable, and competitive tourism sector.
‍

Get Started
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Co-Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA). Neitherthe European Union nor the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA) can be held responsible for them.
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