Info Day - Madeira, Portugal

On September 20th, ACIF-CCIM held an informative session for its members to present the valuable opportunities offered by the SMARTIES for SMEs project. Funded by the European Union's COSME program, this initiative brings together eight partners from six European countries—Italy, Greece, Croatia, Slovenia, Portugal, and Cyprus—aiming to strengthen the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the tourism sector through the green and digital transition. 

As part of the project, ACIF-CCIM will launch a call for regional businesses in November 2024, encouraging them to submit innovative project proposals focused on sustainability and the enhancement of local tourism offerings. Up to 15 of the most creative and impactful projects from each participating country will be selected to receive a fixed grant of €25,000, alongside personalized consulting support during a 15-month implementation phase, which will begin in April 2025. 

The projects must focus on at least one of the following key areas: 

• Green and Digital Transition 
• Regenerative Tourism 
• Linkages between Tourism and Agriculture 

The call for proposals will be open from November 2024 to February 2025, with the selected projects to be announced in April 2025. This initiative provides an excellent opportunity for regional businesses to lead innovation and promote sustainability in the tourism sector.