FU-TOURISM

**Project Background** FU-TOURISM is a groundbreaking programme that empowers tourism SMEs to thrive in the green and digital era. By creating a network of business support organisations in six European countries, FU-TOURISM provides funding and expertise to 102 SME projects that aim to transform their tourism practices. FU-TOURISM helps tourism SMEs to become more sustainable, resilient, and innovative, while contributing to the European Green Deal and Digital Single Market. It is a collaborative project that brings together seven European countries, six of which provide direct Business Support Services to SMEs trough experienced partners: EUPOLIS (HR), FINNOVA (BE, ES), ENVOLVE (GR), SYNYO (AT), and VESTB (PL). The total cost of the project is € 4 182 065.13, of which € 3 999 998.98 is funded by the EU COSME programme. **Project Methodology** FU-TOURISM supports the EU ambitions to address the common challenges of the tourism sector, such as crisis prevention and management, digital and green transition, socioeconomic and environmental sustainability as well as quality job creation and support for SMEs. The project adopts a whole-system approach for change, focusing on single destinations and applying the concept of Industry 5.0, which puts the human and social-impact dimensions at the centre of technological, industrial development and capital growth. The project involves a consortium of partners from seven European countries, who offer business support services, data strategy and methodology and pilot schemes to the tourism SMEs.