COSME calls were the main funding mechanism for financing to Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). As we are already marching down on the Digital Decade that Europe has set ambitious digital targets for 2030, the digital transformation of businesses is one of the four parts of Europe’s Digital Compass. The other important parts of the digital compass involve digital skills, secure and sustainable digital infrastructure, and public services' digitalisation.
Of course, as the digital transformation will overhaul European businesses soon, the tourism sector will not remain unaffected. The core mission of the digital transformation of EU tourism is to boost European tourism businesses' competitiveness and integrate them into the digital value chains, thus creating more jobs and improving the quality of their services.
In the case, you are new to European funding, and you had never heard about the COSME Programme, we hope that you will learn a thing or two about the programme or the COSME calls.
The COSME Programme
COSME was the European Programme for the Competitiveness of Enterprises and SMEs from 2014 to 2020 with €22.3 billion. COSME calls supported SMEs to access financing, internationalise and have access to foreign markets, create a competitive friendly environment, and encourage the entrepreneurial culture. In addition, that COSME programme implemented the Small Business Act (SBA) that recognised the central role of SMEs in the EU economy.
For seven years, COSME provided more than €70 million in European funding to implement European projects promoting entrepreneurship among the European SMEs, along with other important initiatives. Until 2020, COSME was managed by EASME, but in the new multiannual financial framework (MFF) of 2021-2027, we will find COSME programme integrated into EISMEA.
The European Innovation Council and SME Executive Agency (EISMEA) develops and implements the European Innovation Council and other EU programmes providing SME support. Specifically, the important work of COSME will continue through the Single Market Programme (SMP) and InvestEU.
Find COSME Calls and Competitions on EUcalls
If you are looking for financing or other opportunities in the tourism sector, by joining EUcalls, you will find two crucial COSME competitions that you can apply to.
Description: The European Capital of Smart Tourism is an EU initiative currently financed under the COSME Programme. It is built on the successful experience of the Preparatory Action proposed by the European Parliament and implemented by the European Commission in 2019 and 2020. The competition is open to cities across both the EU and the non-EU countries that take part in the COSME programme. The initiative seeks to strengthen tourism-generated innovative development in European cities and their surroundings, increase their attractiveness, and strengthen economic growth and job creation. It also aims to establish a framework for exchanging best practices between cities participating in the competition and creating opportunities for cooperation and new partnerships.
Deadline: 16/06/2021
Description: The European Destinations of Excellence is an EU initiative, implemented by the European Commission. It aims to recognise and award smaller destinations that have successfully boosted sustainable tourism through green transition practices. The competition is founded upon the principle of promoting sustainable tourism development in destinations that bring value to the economy, the planet, and the people.
Deadline: 16/06/2021
You can apply to those competitions or other available COSME calls directly through the EUcalls smart platform. You can take advantage of the benefits that EUcalls has to offer by joining today.
