fuTOURiSME Partners Gather in Athens to Shape the Project’s Lasting Legacy

The fuTOURiSME consortium convened in Athens on 23 and 24 June 2026 for its Final Project Meeting, marking an important milestone as the project enters its final months. Hosted by KiNNO Consultants, the meeting brought together partners from across Europe to reflect on nearly three years of collaboration dedicated to supporting tourism SMEs in their green and digital transition.

Since its launch in September 2023, fuTOURiSME has helped strengthen the resilience, sustainability and competitiveness of tourism SMEs by providing financial support, tailored coaching and mentoring, capacity-building programmes, and practical tools that enable businesses to respond to the evolving demands of the tourism sector.

During the two-day meeting, partners reviewed the project’s achievements, assessed its overall impact and discussed how its results can continue to benefit tourism stakeholders well beyond the project’s official conclusion in September 2026.

Over the course of the project, fuTOURiSME has delivered a comprehensive portfolio of resources designed to support more sustainable and innovative tourism businesses across Europe. These include the fuTOURiSME funding scheme for tourism SMEs, personalised coaching and mentoring services, specialised training programmes, and the fuTOURiSME E-learning Platform, which offers accessible learning opportunities for tourism professionals.

The consortium also highlighted the development of the Sustainability Self-Assessment Tool, currently undergoing pilot testing, which enables tourism businesses to evaluate their sustainability maturity and identify practical pathways for improvement. In addition, the project has produced research, reports and practical guidance to facilitate the adoption of sustainability systems and recognised certification schemes.

Beyond reviewing project implementation, partners reflected on stakeholder engagement, communication activities and the lessons learned throughout the project’s lifecycle, identifying opportunities to maximise the long-term value of the knowledge and resources developed.

Looking Ahead

Although fuTOURiSME will officially conclude in September 2026, its legacy will continue through a series of final deliverables and activities designed to support tourism SMEs and the wider tourism ecosystem across Europe.

On 8 September 2026, the project will host the European Peer Learning Workshop, bringing together project partners, SMEs and key stakeholders to exchange experiences, reflect on project outcomes and explore future opportunities for sustainable tourism development.

The consortium will also publish the Consolidated Lessons Learnt Report, presenting key findings, recommendations and insights gathered throughout the implementation of the project, including the experiences of funded SMEs.

In addition, the Sustainable Tourism Toolkit will provide practical guidance, methodologies and resources to help tourism businesses continue advancing their sustainability journey beyond the project’s lifetime.

As fuTOURiSME enters its final phase, the consortium extends its sincere appreciation to all SMEs, experts, stakeholders and partner organisations whose commitment and collaboration have contributed to the project’s success. Together, they have demonstrated that sustainability and innovation are not only strategic priorities but practical opportunities that can strengthen the future of tourism across Europe.

More information about the project’s upcoming activities and final resources will be available in the coming months at www.futourisme.eu.