Towards community-driven business models: coastal and freshwaters sustainable tourism

Expected outcome

Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes: Innovative business models for the development of entrepreneurship and successful local community-driven marine, coastal and freshwater sustainable tourism initiatives; Scalable and economically viable initiatives with the potential to be replicated across multiple sea basins; Enhanced capacity-building and increased engagement of the coastal/river/lake communities and the private sector; Job creation and skills development; Improved marine, coastal and freshwater habitats, biodiversity and enhanced conservation capacity; Increased awareness and behavioural change of tourists and coastal communities towards the conservation of marine and freshwater ecosystems.

Scope

The community-driven approach under this topic puts strong emphasis on engaging coastal, riparian and/or lakeside communities as well as relevant actors to build, in a sustainable way, local businesses that will support livelihood opportunities and stimulate investments, and will contribute to preserve and protect marine, coastal and freshwater habitats. Activities under this topic will contribute to the achievement of the Mission “Public mobilisation and engagement” actions by fostering community involvement, awareness and citizen participation to amplify impact, accelerating the uptake of community-led initiatives, anticipating and planning future investments for sustainable tourism. These activities should consider the specific needs and challenges of diverse individuals and groups in local communities, including groups in a vulnerable situation, with a focus on promoting gender equality and non-discrimination addressing the intersectionality with poverty and social exclusion. The focus of activities will be on testing the feasibility and socio-economic viability of site-specific initiatives providing opportunities to couple business-based activities with the protection and restoration of marine and freshwaters ecosystems, in ways that produce benefits for both the environment and local communities. In addition, proposals are encouraged to explore synergies with the New European Bauhaus Initiative in the design and/or implementation of activities under this topic. Each proposal should address only one basin / Mission “lighthouse”, which should be explicitly stated in the proposal, i.e.: 1. Atlantic and Arctic sea basin or 2. Mediterranean Sea basin or 3. Baltic and North Sea basin or 4. Danube River basin (including the Black Sea). Activities should be tailored to address regional/sea basin specificities. The basins / Mission “lighthouses” include the river basins flowing into the respective sea basins. All following aspects should be addressed: Demonstration of community-driven tourism business models in at least 3 European coastal and freshwater areas in different Member States/Associated Countries, implementing diverse initiatives to engage and involve tourists and/or users of the sea (e.g.: citizen science initiatives; clean up initiatives; regenerative practices, co-management of protected areas, etc.); Promotion of sustainable practices to minimise negative pressures of tourism on marine and freshwater environments (e.g.: pollution, eco-friendly products, waste reduction) and to protect habitats and biodiversity; Inclusive and accessible capacity building, training and skill development actions addressing both local communities to enhance their entrepreneurship , and tourists, to promote behavioural changes; Governance structure to ensure the effective involvement of all relevant stakeholders and the long-term financial sustainability of the initiatives;

What this means for cities and regions

Coastal, riverside and lakeside municipalities and their local communities and businesses. Small grants, suited to smaller places. Topic budget €6 million; 4 grants expected; €1 million–€1.5 million per project. Opens 9 February 2027; closes 21 September 2027. Water-quality and habitat monitoring from Copernicus can back the conservation claims of a local tourism offer.