Towards community-driven business models: coastal and freshwaters sustainable tourism

Worum geht es in dieser Ausschreibung?

The call funds innovation actions that demonstrate community-led sustainable tourism businesses in coastal, river and lake areas, linking local income with the protection of ecosystems. Projects work with local communities and the private sector in one European sea basin.

Was fördert diese Ausschreibung?

Scope

The topic engages coastal, riverside and lakeside communities in building local businesses that support livelihoods and investment while protecting marine, coastal and freshwater habitats. It focuses on testing the feasibility and socio-economic viability of site-specific initiatives that combine business activity with ecosystem protection and restoration, with attention to vulnerable groups, gender equality and non-discrimination. Synergies with the New European Bauhaus are encouraged.

Proposals should address all of the following

• Demonstrate community-driven tourism business models in at least 3 European coastal and freshwater areas in different Member States or Associated Countries, with initiatives that involve tourists or sea users, such as citizen science, clean-ups or co-management of protected areas.
• Promote practices that reduce the pressure of tourism on marine and freshwater environments.
• Provide inclusive capacity building and training for local entrepreneurs and for tourists.
• Set up a governance structure that involves all stakeholders and secures long-term financial sustainability.
• Explore financial instruments for upscaling, such as reinvested profits, crowdfunding or philanthropy.

Each proposal addresses one sea basin or Mission lighthouse and cooperates with the relevant Lighthouse CSA and the Mission Implementation Platform.

Expected outcomes

New business models for community-driven sustainable tourism, replicable initiatives, jobs and skills, improved habitats and changed behaviour of tourists and local communities.

Was wird von den Vorschlägen erwartet?

• All five listed aspects of the scope should be addressed.

Wann endet die Einreichungsfrist?

21. September 2027 (319 Tage)

21 September 2027 (single-stage)