Unlock Your Craft’s Potential with CRAFT-TOUR Grants
€5,000 lump-sum funding and nine months of free tailored mentoring for eligible professional craftspeople and artisanal SMEs.
Open to eligible professional craftspeople and artisanal SMEs registered in any EU Member State, subject to the published sector and NACE-code requirements.
What is it About?
This is your chance to secure straightforward funding and hands-on support from CRAFT-TOUR, an EU-co-funded project supporting traditional crafts and craft-based tourism across Europe. We’re looking for innovative project proposals from professional craftspeople and artisanal SMEs (max 5 employees) to develop new products, refine traditional ones, or upgrade marketing strategies.
Each selected project receives a €5,000 lump-sum grant (100% funding rate), plus free tailored mentoring and access to a European collaboration network. At least 30 projects will be supported across the EU. Applications are assessed through a transparent process based on relevance, quality of design, innovation, sustainability, and contribution to craft-tourism integration. Proposals must reach the minimum threshold set out in the Call Guidelines.
Business Support Organisations based in Greece, Italy, Spain, Bulgaria, Finland, and Estonia will provide information and guidance to applicants throughout the application and implementation process. Applicants from any EU Member State may contact the relevant BSO for questions about eligibility and the application process.
Deadline: Deadline: 16 November 2026, 12:00 CET — Brussels time
Who Should Apply?
We're targeting makers in the European Union who want to blend heritage skills with modern tools like digital sales or sustainable tweaks. Whether you're eyeing product upgrades, online reach, or tourism tie-ins, apply if your idea fits our focus on craft innovation.
For Professional Craftspeople:
This call is open to passionate professional craftspeople, including potters, violin makers, weavers, jewellers, and woodcarvers. Whether you work with ceramics, heritage knitwear, alabaster, or traditional food crafts like saffron processing, this opportunity will help you bring your skills to new markets and visitors.
Artisanal SMEs (Micro/Small Businesses):
Micro/small artisanal businesses (max 5 employees) specialising in heritage crafts. Whether you’re a workshop making bells, marble products, games/toys, rose oil crafts, leather/textiles, or basketry/jewellery, get support to innovate, digitalise, and link with tourism.
Available in all EU member countries!
What You’ll Learn & Get
Overall package
For Professional Craftspeople
You’ll get hands-on guidance, innovation and digital skills training, a dedicated local mentor, and access to our European network via the digital platform.
For Artisanal SMEs
You'll get tailored team guidance, digital and market skills training, dedicated mentoring to scale operations, and access to our European network via the digital platform.
Hands-on skills training to innovate your craft—product improvements, sustainable materials, digital sales tools (e-commerce, AR demos). Free tailored mentoring and technical support for nine months, starting from January 2027. Access to the digital platform for tourism partners and peer sharing. Project promotion across Europe.
€5,000 lump-sum grant, funded at 100% of the agreed amount. No co-financing is required. 70% after the kick-off check and 30% after approval of the final report.
Apply Today!Access to a European network, knowledge exchange, and opportunities to connect with potential partners through the CRAFT-TOUR digital collaboration platform.
€5,000 lump-sum grant, funded at 100% of the agreed amount. No co-financing is required. 70% after the kick-off check and 30% after approval of the final report.
Apply Today!Benefits of the Call
Secure immediate funding to develop and test ideas without requiring co-financing, gain expert mentoring to build lasting skills, and join a pan-European network for exposure and collaboration. Position your craft at the heart of tourism growth, ultimately boosting sales, resilience, and pride in your traditions.
100% funded lump-sum support
Expert Mentoring
Pan-European Network
Tourism Growth
Timeline
- Call opens: 15 September 2026
- Deadline: 16 November 2026, 12:00 CET
- Evaluation period: November – December 2026
- Results & contracts: January 2027
- Projects start: January 2027 (9 months)
- Progress report: May 2027
- Final report: September 2027
Business Support Organisations
Get free advice and support from European BSOs. Contact them with questions about eligibility, your project idea, or the application process. Questions accepted up to 5 days before deadline.
🇬🇷 Greece
(Food/Saffron, Wood, Leather, Metals/Bells)
Chamber of Commerce of Kozani
Email: chambers@otenet.gr
🇪🇸 Spain
Games & Toys
CEIV – Cluster Empresas Innovadoras Valle del Juguete
Email: alvaro@clustervalle.es
🇧🇬 Bulgaria
Ceramics, Oils, Wood, Textiles, Leather
Sofia Development Association
Email: office@sofia-da.eu
🇪🇪 Estonia
Knitwear, Wood items, Ceramics, Basketry, Jewellery
Innoquest Ou
Email: office@innoquest.world
🇮🇹 Italy
Marble, Alabaster, Musical Instruments (violin making)
North-West Tuscany Chamber of Commerce
Email: turismo@tno.camcom.it
Cremona Mantua Pavia Chamber of Commerce
Email: donelli@cmp.camcom.it
Application Documents – Download & Prepare
Read the full guidelines and download all the required templates. Application Form – Annex I A, Budget – Annex I B, and Declaration of Honour – Annex II are mandatory for submission. Others provided for selected projects. Complete in English using templates exactly, without changes.
Call Guidelines (Read first)
Call Guidelines (Read first)
Complete call rules, eligibility, evaluation criteria, and timeline. Read this first!
Annex I A – Application Form
Annex I A – Application Form
Your project details: activities, outputs, expected results, timeline.
Annex I B – Budget (in EUR)
Annex II – Declaration of Honour
Annex II – Declaration of Honour
Confirm eligibility, commitments, de minimis compliance. Sign & upload.
Annex III – Model Sub-Grant Agreement
Annex III – Model Sub-Grant Agreement
Contract template for selected projects (reference only for application).
Annex IV – Bank Account Information
Annex IV – Bank Account Information
For selected projects (submit after award notification).
Annex V – Model of Progress Report
Annex V – Model of Progress Report
Reporting template for grant monitoring (provided for reference).
Questions? Contact a BSO (above). Deadline: 16 November 2026, 12:00 CET — Brussels time
Frequently Asked Questions - FAQs
How much funding can I get?
Each selected project receives a €5,000 lump-sum grant, paid in two instalments: 70% after the kick-off check and 30% after approval of the final report.
Is there a fee to apply?
No. Applying is free. Selected projects receive a €5,000 lump-sum grant funded at 100% of the agreed amount, with no co-financing required.
What if I'm not in a partner country?
Eligibility is limited to member states of the European Union.
Do I need co-financing?
Not mandatory.
What happens after selection?
Selected applicants sign a Sub-Grant Agreement, receive a dedicated mentor, and begin their nine-month project in January 2027. They also receive access to the CRAFT-TOUR digital collaboration platform and relevant networking activities.
How do I contact for questions?
Will my data be public?
Personal and organisational data will be processed in accordance with GDPR. Information relating to awarded projects, including the names of participating craftspeople and SMEs, may be published and shared with the European Commission/DG MOVE in line with the project’s transparency and reporting obligations.
Full guidelines?
Download the Call Guide, forms, and templates above.
Register today!
Applicants are obliged to use the templates provided above as Annexes of the present Call without any alterations. On receipt of each application, applicants will receive an Acknowledgement of Receipt via email registered at application stage.
Eligibility is assessed based on the country where your business or professional activity is registered, not on citizenship alone.
Professional craftspeople and artisanal SMEs with a maximum of five employees may apply, provided their activity falls within the eligible sectors and NACE codes.
Tell Us Who You Are:
Contact / Help
We would love to hear from you!
For any enquiries related to the project, you can reach us at: info@craft-tour.eu
