The launch of the EU ECO-TANDEM Biz Programme is getting closer: starting from mid-March 2022, tourism SMEs and startups will be able to apply for the programme! Selected participants will have the opportunity to work in TANDEM on innovative sustainable tourism projects and the lucky winners will receive a €13.000 voucher to implement their project!  

Thinking about applying to the program? Check out the information below to learn how it works and who can participate.

Who can participate?

Two types of companies can participate in the programme. 

1) Tourism SMEs that are lagging behind in the ecological transition and wish to transform their business model in a sustainable way.

In particular, companies in these categories can apply: 

• Hotels and similar accommodation 
• Holiday and other short-stay accommodations
• Camping grounds, recreational vehicle parks and trailer parks
• Travel agencies, tour operator reservation service and related activities

2) Tourism and non-tourism startups

With startup we refer to an independent organisation, which is younger than five years and is aimed at creating, improving and expanding a scalable, innovative, technology-enabled product with high and rapid growth.

Both entities must be established in a EU member state. As Germany, Italy and Slovakia are the focus countries of the project, 60% of the available places will be reserved for candidates from these countries. The remaining (40%) can come from the other EU Member States, but companies from Greece and Austria can benefit from an added point in the evaluation. 

To validate the status of tourism SME or startup, a formal, updated Business Register extract provided by the Chamber of Commerce, a statute or any official document where the NACE code is demonstrated will have to be submitted to the Consortium partners during the selection process.

What do we expect from you?

When participating to the EU ECO- TANDEM BIZ Programme, the applicant should:

• Tackle one the challenges defined by the EU ECO-TANDEM Programme
• Be open to cooperation and to the eco-sustainable approach
• Define a clear plan of action for solving the challenge together with the partner startup/SME,
• Searching for the solutions bringing a more sustainable behaviour, processes, and service

for clients

• Have an absence of conflict of interest
• Sign a commitment with respect to the plan of action
• Implement the agreed plan of action, also by the use of the voucher according to the rules
• Report in a timely manner the use of funds in order to receive the reimbursement using the tools requested by the consortium

How does the programme work?

March 2022 – April 2022

You will be able to submit your application for the programme on our website.

July 2022

The startups and SMEs in the three countries will be selected to be invited to the matchmaking events. During the matchmaking events, the TANDEMs will be officially created. 

September - October 2022

The TANDEMEES will work on their Plans of Action ;

December 2022

Once the selection procedure is closed, the winning TANDEMs will be invited to the awarding ceremony, where. they will receive a voucher of 13,000 € to finance the pilot project to be realised

How does the financing work?

The maximum amount of financial support per TANDEM cannot exceed 13.000 €

a. If the TANDEM is formed by 2 tourism SMEs, the financial support will be distributed equally to the two parties (EUR 6.500 each); 

b. If the TANDEM is formed by 1 tourism SME and 1 non-tourism SME or startup, the total amount of the voucher (EUR 13.000) will be assigned to the EU tourism SME only.

Don't miss this amazing chance and stay tuned for the launch of the call!