Frequently Asked Questions - 2nd Call

Q: Who can apply?

A: Tourism SMEs based in one of the eligible countries – Germany, Belgium, Finland and Poland. You must apply as part of a partnership of 2 to 5 entities.

Q: What is a tourism SME?

A: A small or medium-sized business whose main activities contribute to the tourism sector (accommodation, food & beverage, travel, culture, leisure, related services).

Q: What is the EU SME definition?

A: Fewer than 250 employees and annual turnover ≤ €50 million OR balance sheet total ≤ €43 million

Q: Must my SME be NACE-registered in tourism?

A: No — an official NACE code is not required. You must demonstrate that your business is part of the tourism ecosystem.

Q: In which countries can I apply?

• Belgium
• Finland
• Germany
• Poland

Q: Can newly established SMEs apply?

A: SMEs must have been legally registered and operational for at least one full financial year before the application deadline.

Q: What other sectors can be included in a partnership?

A: Partners may come from different sectors (for example – culture, sustainability/environment, creative industries, etc.), as long as they can justify the partnership and the expertise needed.

Q: How many entities must be in a partnership?

A: 2 to 5 entities. At least 50% of partners must be tourism SMEs.

Q: Is there a minimum share of funding that must go to tourism SMEs?

A: Yes. At least 60% of the total project funding must be allocated to tourism SMEs.

Q: Can a partner participate in more than one project?

A: Each entity can participate in only one project. Participation in more than one project will result in disqualification of all related applications.

Q: What happens if my SME status changes between submission and agreement? SME status is assessed at the time of application, based on your number of employees and financial data from the past 3 years.

A: If your SME changes size after applying, your eligibility remains valid as long as you were eligible when you submitted your application.

Q: Can a non-SME (e.g., a public institution, NGO, or large company) be the Lead Applicant?

A: No. Only a tourism SME can act as the Lead Applicant. Non-SME partners may participate in a supporting role but cannot lead the project or receive profit-based compensation.

Q: Can a partner be legally linked to the Lead Applicant (e.g., sister company, subsidiary)?

A: No. All partners must be legally independent. Linked enterprises are not eligible as per the EU SME definition.

Q: Do all partners in the project need to be SMEs?

A: No. The Lead Applicant must be a tourism SME, but partners can also be larger organizations (e.g. ski centers, hotel chains, DMOs, associations, public bodies). The rules only require that at least 50% of the partners are tourism SMEs and that at least 60% of the funding goes to them (see Section 5.1 Partnership Composition and Section 5.2 Eligibility of Partners).

Q: Who can act as a non-tourism partner or a tourism-related actor in this partnership besides SMEs?

A non-tourism partner can be any legally established organization that provides relevant expertise for the project’s goals — for example, universities, research centers, technology providers, business development organizations, municipalities, or NGOs.

A tourism-related actor is an organization more directly linked to the tourism ecosystem, such as larger companies in tourism (hotel chains, ski resorts), DMOs, tourism associations, or cultural institutions.

Q: Does a potential partner must be directly working in tourism (e.g., DMO)?

No. It is not required that every partner works directly in tourism. Non-tourism partners are allowed if they bring valuable expertise (e.g., digital tools, sustainability know-how, training, or business support).

Q: Or can it be a business development organization which works as a general business development organization, not solely in tourism?

Yes. A general business development organization can be a partner, even if it is not tourism-specific — as long as its contribution to the project is relevant and beneficial for the tourism SMEs.

Q: How much funding is available?

A: €15,000 → for Pioneers (SMEs with existing experience in sustainability/digitalization)

Q: How is the funding paid?

• 60% pre-financing after signing the Sub-Grant Agreement
• 40% after approval of your Final Report

Q: Who receives the grant payment?

A: The Lead SME is the formal recipient of the funding and must manage internal distribution transparently, following the approved Annex 8 budget.

Q: Is the funding repayable?

A: No — this is a non-repayable grant as long as you follow the project rules.

Q: What activities are eligible for funding?
A: Activities that contribute to Sustainability; Digitalization; Resilience. For more information, check Annex 5 List of eligible activities and costs.

Q: Can funding be used for infrastructure or equipment?

A: Permanent or large-scale infrastructure and equipment purchases are ineligible, but small-scale tools directly supporting eligible activities may be accepted if well justified.

Q: Are consultancy or subcontracting costs eligible?

A: Consortium partners cannot act as subcontractors or be paid service providers within the project.

Q: Can two tourism SMEs split the lump sum 50/50?

A: Yes. If both partners are tourism SMEs, they may divide the lump sum equally or in another proportion they agree on. This is acceptable because the entire grant still goes to eligible SME beneficiaries. The important condition is that the budget split must reflect the planned activities of each SME and be clearly explained in the budget table.

Q: How is the budget distributed in a consortium with SMEs and non-SMEs?

A: In mixed partnerships, at least 60% of the budget must go directly to tourism SMEs, while non-SME partners (e.g. large companies, DMOs, associations, universities, municipalities) may not receive more than 40%. This ensures that SMEs remain the main beneficiaries of the funding, in line with the Call requirements.

Q: What happens if our project activities cost more than the lump sum?

A: The lump sum is a fixed amount. Any costs exceeding it must be covered by the partners themselves.

Q: Can VAT be included in eligible costs?

A: Only non-recoverable VAT is eligible. If your organization can recover VAT, it must not be included in the budget.

Q: Can the budget be used to participate in international fairs or study visits?

A: Yes — if the participation is clearly linked to project goals (for example promotion of new sustainable offers, networking for digital solutions) and justified in the application.

Q: Are costs related to training eligible?

A: Yes — trainings and capacity-building sessions are eligible if they directly support the objectives of the collaborative project.

Q: Can the lump sum be used for translation or accessibility-related services?

Yes — services that improve inclusivity or accessibility of the tourism offer (e.g., translations, accessible communication tools) are considered aligned with the resilience objective.

Q: How do I apply?

A: Fill in the official templates and submit them by email to your regional contact in PDF format and in Excel according to the specified requirement.

Q: What is the application deadline?

A: 11 May 2026 at 23:59 CET.

Q: Where do I submit my application?

A: By email to your national/regional contact (shows emails listed in the Call document).

Q: In what language must I submit my proposal? A: English.

Q: Can I submit multiple applications?

A: An SME can participate in one application only.

Q: What should I submit?

A: Lead SME: Annex 6, Annex 7, Annex 8, company registration certificate/VAT, financial statements for the last two completed years (or most recent if newly established).

Other partners: company registration certificate/VAT.

Optional: T4T Pledge (Annex 9)

Follow the file naming convention: [Lead SME Name]_Annex[#]_DocumentType.pdf/xlsx.

Q: Where can I find the templates? They are available

A: here on the website

Q: Will I receive a submission confirmation?

A: Yes — you will receive an Acknowledgment of Receipt by email.

Q: Will late or incomplete applications be accepted?

A: No — only complete and on-time applications will be evaluated.

Q: When is the last date to submit questions?

A: Questions must be submitted no later than 7 May 2026 at 23:59 CET.

Q: Can we revise our application after submission?

A: No. Once submitted, applications cannot be revised. Ensure all documents are final and complete before sending.

Q: What happens if an application is submitted in another language or is not signed?

A: It will be considered ineligible. All applications must be in English and signed where required.

Q: Do all partners need to submit financial documents?

A: Only the Lead SME must submit financial statements. Other partners only provide registration/VAT documentation unless further verification is requested.

Q: Is co-funding or in-kind contribution required?

A: No co-funding is required. However, applicants may mention in-kind contributions or additional support if it strengthens the project logic — this is not mandatory and will not affect scoring.

Q: Do we need to have measurable KPIs in the application?

A: While not mandatory, including realistic indicators or metrics (e.g., number of new clients, % emissions reduced, digital reach) will strengthen your project’s feasibility and evaluation score.

Q: How are projects evaluated?

A: By an independent panel, using the published evaluation criteria.

Q: What are the evaluation criteria?

A: Projects are evaluated on a 0–5 scale under three core award criteria:

• Relevance & Impact – Alignment with INSPIRES and EU tourism transition goals; potential benefits for SMEs, communities, and the tourism sector.
• Quality & Feasibility – Clarity and realism of the project plan, activities, timeline, and risk management.
• Partnership Collaboration – Strength and complementarity of the partners, quality of collaboration, and added value from working together.

Proposals must score at least 3/5 on each criterion and a minimum of 9/15 overall to be considered for funding.

Q: What is a Pioneer SME?

A: A Pioneer SME has already implemented sustainability and/or digital practices and is ready to scale, replicate, or share these efforts through collaboration. Pioneer projects receive €15 000.

Q: Is the T4T Pledge (Annex 9) mandatory?

A: No, it is optional but strongly encouraged as it may support project visibility and may be considered in tie-break situations.

Q: When will the results be announced?

A: Final results will be published on the INSPIRES website in June 2026, following the completion of evaluations and contracting.

Q: How many projects will be funded per country?

• Belgium – 6 (six) projects
• Finland – 2 (two) projects
• Germany – 2 (two) projects
• Poland – 3 (three) projects

Q: What happens if two projects receive the same score?

A: In case of a tie, the following tie-break criteria are applied in order:

1. Higher score in Relevance & Impact
2. Then, higher score in Quality & Feasibility
3. Then, higher score in Partnership & Collaboration
4. If still equal, preference goes to proposals with:

• Eco-certification
• A signed T4T Pledge

See Section 8.1 of the Call for details.

Q: Can feedback be provided if our project is not selected?

A: Yes — unsuccessful applicants may request a feedback summary after the official announcement of results. Feedback is based on the evaluators’ scoring and comments.

Q: When do selected projects start?

A: 15 June 2026.

Q: How long can a project last?

A: Between 3 and 12 months, ending no later than 14 June 2027.

Q: What reporting is required?

A: Monitoring Visit Report (filled by project partners)

Final Report (filled by the SME partnership)

Q: What is the Monitoring Visit?

A: A visit by the INSPIRES project partner to check project progress and provide support.

Q: What is the Final Report?

A: A final report by the SME partnership covering project results and outputs; budget use and impact and outcomes.

Q: What are the expected outcomes of the projects?

A: Your project should contribute to the overall twin transition of tourism by promoting sustainability, digitalization, resilience, innovation, and collaboration.

Q: Are there communication or visibility requirements?

A: Yes — funded SMEs must:

• Acknowledge EU support
• Participate in dissemination activities
• Contribute to the Resilience Inspires Award process

Q: Can we change partners after approval?

A: Changes to the partnership after approval are generally not allowed and would require formal justification and prior approval by the INSPIRES team.

Q: Can the project duration be extended after it starts?

A: Projects must end by 14 June 2027. Extensions may only be allowed in exceptional cases with prior written approval.

Q: What are my communication and visibility obligations?

A: Funded SMEs must follow EU visibility rules, provide content for INSPIRES dissemination channels, and actively promote their participation and results through their own networks.

Q: How does the Resilience Inspires Award work?

A: At the end of the project, 16 projects (across both categories) will be nominated based on results and impact, reviewed by an independent jury, and awarded at the 2027 Final Conference.

Q: Will the selected partnerships sign a contract?

A: The Lead SME of the selected collaborative project signs a contract with the INSPIRES partner in the respective country.

Q: Are there audit or verification requirements?

A: Yes — your project may be audited by:

• The INSPIRES consortium
• The European Commission and its agencies
• The European Court of Auditors

Q: How is personal data protected?

A: All data is processed according to the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and national laws.

Q: Must the Lead Applicant always be a tourism SME?

A: Yes. The Lead Applicant must always be a tourism SME, as defined by EU Recommendation 2003/361/EC (fewer than 250 employees, and either annual turnover ≤ €50 million or balance sheet total ≤ €43 million).

Q: Can partners be large companies (e.g., ski center, hotel chain), or do all partners need to be SMEs?

A: Partners do not all need to be SMEs. Eligible partnerships include a tourism SME as Lead Applicant together with other tourism-related actors (for example, a larger company, DMO, association, or public body). A large company such as a ski center or a hotel chain can therefore participate as a partner.

The conditions are:

At least 50% of partners must be tourism SMEs (according to the EU SME definition above);

At least 60% of the funding must go to tourism SMEs.Q: Must the Lead Applicant always be a tourism SME? Can partners be larger companies (e.g., ski center, hotel chain)?

Q: Who can act as a non-tourism partner? Must they work only in tourism?

A: Non-tourism partners can join if their expertise directly supports the project’s goals (sustainability, digitalization, resilience). Examples include universities, business development agencies, innovation centers, or Geoparks. They do not need to work exclusively in tourism but must provide clear added value for the tourism SMEs.

Q: If a partnership has three partners and only one is a tourism SME, is this eligible?

A: No. At least 50% of the partners must be tourism SMEs. In a partnership of three, at least two must be tourism SMEs.

Q: Can a non-profit organization (NPO) be a partner?

A: Yes. NPOs are eligible if they bring relevant expertise. However, at least 50% of the partnership must be composed of tourism SMEs.

Q: Can farmers or vineyard owners participate?

A: Farmers not registered as SMEs under the EU definition cannot be Lead Applicants. They may join as partners only if their role is directly relevant (e.g., agritourism, wine tourism). They must be legally registered and able to prove their status.

Q: Can sole traders apply?

A: Yes. Sole traders are considered SMEs if they meet the EU definition of an enterprise.

Q: Can a partner SME participate if it has not yet completed one financial year?

A: No. It must have at least one closed financial year before the deadline (11 May 2026).

Q: How many financial years must the Lead Applicant provide?

A: Normally, the Lead SME must submit Balance Sheet and Profit & Loss Statements for the last two completed financial years. If the SME is newly established, it is still eligible with only one closed financial year, provided it can submit the financial statements for that year.

Q: What is meant by “one full financial year”?

A: A completed 12-month accounting period with formally closed accounts and financial statements (Balance Sheet and Profit & Loss Statement).

Q: Is there a minimum turnover, assets, or other financial thresholds required for the Lead Applicant?

A: No. The Call does not require minimum turnover, assets, or ratios. Only the provision of financial statements is required.

Q: Is there a maximum turnover requirement?

A: Yes. SMEs must meet the EU definition: fewer than 250 employees, and either annual turnover ≤ €50 million or balance sheet total ≤ €43 million.

Q: Do registration and financial documents need to be in English?

A: No.

Q: If project costs exceed €15,000, who covers the extra costs?

A: All costs above the INSPIRES lump sum must be covered by the project partners.

Q: How must the budget be allocated among categories?

A: The lump sum must be distributed across at least two of the five categories in Annex 8:

• Business Development & Strategic Planning
• Sustainability & Circular/Regenerative Practices
• Digital Innovation & Technology Adoption
• Capacity Building & Skills Development
• Promotion, Marketing & Communication

Q: Can staff costs be included?

A: No. Staff costs are not a separate budget line. What matters is delivering the approved outputs with the lump sum.

Q: How is the budget distributed between participants in different partnership compositions?

• All-tourism SME partnerships: The lump sum may be divided in any proportion (e.g., 50/50; 70/30, etc. between two SMEs), provided the split reflects planned activities and is clearly explained in Annex 8 (Budget). This flexibility is allowed because the general rule of allocating at least 60% of the budget to tourism SMEs is automatically met.
• Mixed partnerships (tourism SMEs + non-tourism actors): At least 60% of the total budget must go to tourism SMEs. Non-tourism partners (including large companies, DMOs, or NGOs) may not receive more than 40%.

Q: Are the grants de minimis aid?

A: No, the INSPIRES lump-sum grants are not de minimis aid.

Q: Can investments be made in rented premises (e.g., EV chargers, water-saving devices)?

A: Possible, but considered high risk. Preferably, investments should be made in premises fully controlled by the SME.

Q: What about buying services or products (e.g., Green Key certificate, solar panels)? Do providers count as partners?

A: No. Buying a service or product does not make the provider a project partner. They remain a supplier. Project partners are organizations that collaborate strategically.

Q: Can infrastructure costs (e.g., special doors for digital locks) be eligible?

A: Yes, if directly linked to project objectives and proportionate. Major construction is not eligible.

Q: Will we have to repay the grant if the product/service is not used after 2027?

A: No. The grants are non-repayable, provided the SME completes and reports on activities within the project. After that, there is no repayment obligation.

Q: Can I apply as a group of my own companies (e.g., several family businesses with separate business IDs)?

A: No, if the companies are linked (shared ownership, management, or control).

Yes, if each company is independent, has its own registration, no ownership links, and can sign the Declaration of Honour (Annex 6) confirming independence.

Q: Can replacing old lamps with LEDs be funded under INSPIRES?

A: Yes — but only if it’s part of a broader sustainability action (e.g., energy efficiency plan, eco-certification, or resource-saving strategy). Simple equipment replacement or routine maintenance is not eligible.

Q: Can the project fund the creation of an online store for local products sold in a seasonal café?

A: Yes — if the online store supports the SME’s digitalization, business diversification, or off-season operations in line with Annex 5 (Business Development and Digital Innovation). Eligible costs include development of the digital platform and related consultancy. Costs for stock, routine operations, or marketing not linked to project goals are not eligible.