ST3ER is an impactful, multi-faceted programme focusing on encouraging innovation within tourism-related SMEs, to help boost their resilience and foster sustainability, while simultaneously supporting the achievement of European twin transition goals. 

ST3ER will provide access to finance, mentoring, training and learning opportunities, business support resources to successful applicants, as well as new connections and co-creation opportunities with other relevant stakeholders. 

In summary, ST3ER now invites innovative digital and / or green projects, led by ambitious experiential tourism-oriented SMEs in the project partner regions under the following two categories: 

• Individual SME Innovation Projects with a support of a €25,000 grant / each - Specifically aimed at tourism-oriented SMEs whose focus is on innovative responses to the thematic twin transition challenges of digital and green; 
• Collaborative Innovation Projects involving a partnership with a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 4 tourism SMEs with the support of a €30,000 grant / project - Targeting experimental (innovative) carbon footprint reduction measures or any of the green practices listed below in the Table below. 

Individual Innovation Projects should include a minimum of one digital or green practice from Table 1 below; for Collaborative Innovation Projects, a minimum of one green practice is mandatory, and can also be combined with a digital practice if relevant. 

In addition to the financial grant awards detailed above, the following supports will be provided to SMEs selected under this call:

• Mentoring: engaging in a bespoke 30-hour programme of 1:1 advice in agreed areas of expertise over the 9-12 months duration of their project implementation will be a mandatory requirement. SMEs will select their mentor(s) from a pool which has been established specifically for the ST3ER programme. In some cases, more than one mentor may be chosen by the SME, depending on the specific support required. The SME will be responsible for paying their mentor(s) for their services from the grant support. 
• Capacity-building modules: Selected SMEs will be required to attend at least 3 out of 6 knowledge/capacity building modules which will be provided, free of charge and online, by the ST3ER Project. 
• ST3ER online Events: SMEs will be encouraged to participate in all events organised by the ST3ER consortium, such as deep dives, cross-sectoral huddles, bootcamps and forums 
• ST3ER onsite Events: SMEs must attend at least one physical, on-site ST3ER event (in Cádiz, Spain; Slovenia or Denmark) within the duration of their Innovation Project, bringing added opportunities for engagement between SMEs, e.g exchange of best practices. 
• Sustainability & Tourism online Community: SMEs selected will be required to become a member of the ST3ER online community bringing further opportunities for information exchange and collaboration with partners across the regions.

GENERAL OPEN CALL INFORMATION

CONTACTS

Please do not forget to include the following items in your Project Submission