The DETOUR Project – Developing Resilient Tourism Ecosystems along Mediterranean Routes – is pleased to announce the launch of a Call for Expression of Interest for the participation of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in a comprehensive Training and Mentoring Programme focused on sustainable tourism, digital transformation, and climate resilience.

DETOUR is structured into three key phases:

1. Training of Key Tourism Stakeholders (August – November 2025)
2. Tailor-Made Capacity Building and Mentoring for Tourism SMEs (January – April 2026)
3. Open Call for Financial Support to Innovative SME Projects (January 2026 – May 2027)

This Call for Expression of Interest refers specifically to the second phase of the project, which will provide selected SMEs with access to a customized training and mentoring programme designed to build long-term resilience and improve business sustainability.

Who Can Apply?

This call is open to tourism SMEs located along or within a 10 to 15 km buffer zone of the following routes and regions:

Italy: Along the Italian Via Francigena route
Greece: In the mountain areas of Mounts Olympos, Kissavos, and Mavrovouni
Bulgaria: Within the Thrace Tourist Region
Türkiye: Along the Lycian Way, from Ovacık (Fethiye, Muğla Province) to Aşağı Karaman (Konyaaltı, Antalya Province)

Eligible SMEs include those operating in sectors such as accommodation and hospitality, food and beverage services, travel agencies and tour operators, tourist guiding and interpretation, outdoor and nature-based tourism including activities like hiking, biking and adventure sports, as well as cultural and heritage-related tourism services.

Why Join the Programme?

Participating in the DETOUR Training and Mentoring Programme offers tourism SMEs the opportunity to strengthen their skills in sustainable tourism, digitalisation, and business resilience, benefit from personalised expert mentoring, receive support to apply for innovation grants of up to €25,000, gain official EU recognition as a DETOUR-certified SME, join a cross-border knowledge-sharing network, increase their visibility through international promotion and tourism events, and access all programme activities completely free of charge.

Training Programme Focus Areas

The training and mentoring programme is designed to be practical, applied, and SME-focused, and will address the following key themes:

Green Transition

Helping businesses reduce their ecological footprint, adopt environmentally sustainable practices, and promote eco-tourism projects.

Digital Transition

Empowering SMEs to strengthen their online presence, use digital marketing tools, implement data-driven strategies, and adopt smart technologies.

Resilience and Inclusion

Building capacity to manage risks, respond to crises (e.g., climate change, pandemics), and develop inclusive tourism offerings that cater to diverse audiences.

Skills and Support

Providing tools and training to enhance organisational capacity, strategic thinking, and project development skills — all essential for long-term growth and competitiveness.

Programme Timeline and Application Details

• Call Launch: 01 September 2025, 12:00 PM (Brussels/CET Time)
• Application Deadline: 24 November 2025, 17:00 PM (Brussels/CET Time)
• Programme Implementation: 01 January – 30 April 2026

How to Apply
🗓 Applications open from 8 September to 24 November 2025 by filling out this form

[Credits: Unsplash website]