The European CRAFT-TOUR project is opening applications from 15 September to 16 November 2026 for professional craftspeople and artisanal SMEs across the European Union. The initiative offers funding and technical support to help applicants develop or improve traditional products, strengthen their marketing and create new opportunities linked to cultural tourism.
Co-funded by the European Union, the CRAFT-TOUR call offers a €5,000 lump-sum grant per project, funded at 100% of the agreed amount, together with nine months of free technical mentoring. It is open to professional craftspeople and artisanal SMEs with up to five employees, registered in an EU Member State and working in an eligible sector and NACE code. Applications must be submitted by 16 November 2026 at 12.00 CET, Brussels time, through craft-tour.eu/open-call.
About the project
CRAFT-TOUR — Crafting Heritage and Tourism Across Europe — began in January 2026 with a total budget of €831,695, 90% co-funded by the European Union. The project supports 30 projects focused on developing new products, improving traditional products, strengthening marketing strategies and creating craft-based tourism experiences such as craft trails and visitor workshops.
The project is coordinated by the Chamber of Commerce of Kozani in Greece and brings together partners from Greece, Italy, Spain, Bulgaria, Finland and Estonia. The call is open to craft sectors rooted in local heritage, including ceramics, games and toys, musical instruments, jewellery, textiles, woodwork, leatherwork, alabaster and marble, among others.
Selected projects will receive a €5,000 grant, with no co-financing requirement, as well as tailored technical support for nine months from January 2027. The grant will be paid in two instalments: 70% after the initial project check and 30% following approval of the final report. Applications will be assessed on their relevance, quality of design, innovation, sustainability and contribution to linking crafts with tourism.
Expected impact
The project aims to strengthen the resilience and visibility of craft businesses by encouraging cooperation between craftspeople, support organisations, tourism operators and other local stakeholders. It will also support the development of digital tools, training activities and opportunities for cross-border cooperation.
A Digital Collaboration Platform will give craftspeople the opportunity to share good practice, showcase their products and find partners in other European countries. By bringing traditional skills together with innovation and tourism, CRAFT-TOUR will contribute to the recognition of cultural heritage and the development of local economies.
Particular attention will be given to projects submitted by women, young professional craftspeople and businesses led by people under 35, as well as proposals that promote inclusion, accessibility and non-discrimination.
Next steps
The call will remain open from 15 September to 16 November 2026. Applications will be assessed in November and December 2026, with applicants notified and grant agreements signed in January 2027. Selected projects will start in January 2027 and run for nine months. An interim report is expected in May 2027, followed by a final report in September 2027.
The CRAFT-TOUR consortium operates under Grant Agreement No. 101299673 and is co-funded by the European Union through the Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport — DG MOVE. It brings together organisations from six European countries and will run for 24 months, from January 2026 to December 2027.