Training & Mentoring

DETOUR targets tourism SMEs located along some of Europe’s most iconic cultural routes, providing multi-phase, targeted training and support to foster sustainability, digital innovation, and business resilience in the tourism sector.

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)

Phase 1 – Train the Trainers (August – November 2025)
The first phase is designed for tourism professionals, consultants, DMO staff, local authorities, and academics with experience supporting tourism-related businesses (e.g. in agri-food, handicrafts, cultural services).

What’s included?

• 5 hours of free online training (available anytime between 1 August and 30 November 2025)
• 20 hours of in-person training
• Focus topics: sustainability, digitalisation, product innovation, and resilience

Participants who complete the programme will become certified DETOUR Trainers, join a European network of tourism experts, and be involved in mentoring SMEs — including the opportunity to guide them toward micro-funding of up to €25,000 for green and digital innovation projects.
🗓️ Applications for this phase closed on 15 July 2025.