Competitiveness and Internationalisation of Rural Tourism SMEs in the Mediterranean

Programme 2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-B NEXT Mediterranean Sea Basin (NEXT MED)

Date of latest update: 2026-06-25

Description

Description (EN):

PROJECT TYPE: 1 - Thematic projects ~ MAIN INTERVENTION FIELD: 021. SME business development and internationalisation, including productive investments ~ SUMMARY: CReSInMed focuses on strengthening and improving the internationalisation capacities of tourism (M)SMEs in the Mediterranean rural areas which face unique challenges: they are small, uncompetitive and their remoteness from large urban centres reduces access to markets, limiting opportunities for growth. Human resources have limited access to training opportunities. CReSInMed actions contribute to increase the potential of these (M)SMEs and focuses on improving skills and entrepreneurship, while also contributing to networking and strengthening transnational cooperation in the Mediterranean. The changes expected from the project compared to the existing situation is to increase competitiveness in regional, national and international markets of (M)SMEs, improve the related skills, and strengthen networking capacities of operators. 50 (M)SMEs enhance their knowledge with specific training programmes supported by a task force of experts. Topics related to productivity, innovation, considering the importance of digital transition and sustainability are addressed. Networking among operators is the basis for exchanging experiences, developing joint activities to make internationalisation sustainable. (M)SMEs can count on technological support to facilitate their work through the use of a digital toolbox that complements capacity building initiatives by providing tools to support (M)SMEs' growth and internationalisation efforts. The actions taken generate multiplier effects that extend to the sector concerned and the community. The solutions implemented by CReSInMed, in particular cluster, MoU and the platform, can continue to produce benefits after the end of the project. (M)SMEs, local communities, public authorities, stakeholders receive long-term benefits from project implementation, with improved socio-economic conditions. CReSInMed positively contributes to the transformation of the tourism and economic landscape of the rural regions involved. ~ KEEP KEYWORDS: Rural and peripheral development, SME and entrepreneurship, Tourism

Expected Achievements (EN):

Management coordination Communication and dissemination CODE: SO1ER1 ~ SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE: To develop and improve internationalisation tools and strategy for tourism (M)SMEs in Mediterranean rural areas. ~ EXPECTED RESULT: Improved managerial and technical skills and competences of tourism (M)SMEs in rural areas involved to operate in international markets. CODE: SO1ER1 ~ SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE: To develop and improve internationalisation tools and strategy for tourism (M)SMEs in Mediterranean rural areas. ~ EXPECTED RESULT: Improved managerial and technical skills and competences of tourism (M)SMEs in rural areas involved to operate in international markets. CODE: SO1ER1 ~ SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE: To develop and improve internationalisation tools and strategy for tourism (M)SMEs in Mediterranean rural areas. ~ EXPECTED RESULT: Improved managerial and technical skills and competences of tourism (M)SMEs in rural areas involved to operate in international markets. CODE: SO1ER1 ~ SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE: To develop and improve internationalisation tools and strategy for tourism (M)SMEs in Mediterranean rural areas. ~ EXPECTED RESULT: Improved managerial and technical skills and competences of tourism (M)SMEs in rural areas involved to operate in international markets.

Project outputs: (1.1) Project Steering Committee - SC(EN)
(1.2) Project Management Manual(EN)
(1.3) Project Reports(EN)
(1.4) Audit reports(EN)
(2.1) Communication Plan(EN)
(2.2) Poster(EN)
(2.3) Videos of the project(EN)
(2.4) Events(EN)
(2.5) Communication materials(EN)
(3.1) Business Re-engineering and internationalisation adaptation plan(EN)
(3.2) Training programme for Rural Tourism (M)SMEs(EN)
(3.3) Capacity building actions for Rural Tourism (M)SMEs(EN)
(4.1) Task Force - Mediterranean Experts Alliance(EN)
(4.2) Study visits to local realities and exchanges of experience(EN)
(4.3) “Internationalization of (M)SMEs in Rural Tourism” Summit(EN)
(5.1) Guide and Holistic Operational Plan - Methodologies and tools for creating a Tourism Cluster(EN)
(5.2) Memorandum of Understanding for creating a MetaCluster(EN)
(5.3) Participation in a Touristic Fair(EN)
(6.1) Design and Storyboard(EN)
(6.2) Development of metaverse Platform(EN)
(6.3) Development of Digital Toolbox(EN)
Website: https://www.interregnextmed.eu/project-page/cresinmed/about/

Thematic information

Tourism Rural and peripheral development SME and entrepreneurship

Priority: (VI-B_MSB_1) Priority 1: A more competitive and smarter Mediterranean

Priority specific objective: RSO1.3. Enhancing sustainable growth and competitiveness of SMEs and job creation in SMEs, including by productive investments

Priority policy objective (Interreg specific objective): PO1 A more competitive and smarter Europe by promoting innovative and smart economic transformation and regional ICT connectivity

Type of intervention: 021 SME business development and internationalisation, including productive investments

Partners (7)

Lead Partner: Interforum srl

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 02607420920 | PROFIT MAKING: True ~ STATUS PUBLIC: False

Address: Via Pasquale Cugia n. 15, 09129 Cagliari, Italy

Legal status: private

Organisation type: N.a.

Website: http://www.interforum.it

Total budget: EUR 365 625.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 325 406.25

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 89.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 40 218.75

قيادات مؤسسة

Name: قيادات مؤسسة

Partner’s ID if not PIC: RA-22302-HR | PROFIT MAKING: False ~ STATUS PUBLIC: False

Address: 8 Parliament Square, Adel Al Masri Buld, 3rdRamallah, Palestine

Legal status: private

Organisation type: N.a.

Website: https://leadersinternational.org/

Total budget: EUR 352 600.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 313 814.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 89.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 38 786.00

GBER schemes / de minimis:

وزارة السياحة

Name: وزارة السياحة

Department: GENERAL AFFAIRES DEPARTMENT/TIC DEPARTMENT/INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION DEPARTMENT

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 1024144/C | NO

Address: Tunis, Tunisia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: N.a.

Website: http://www.tourisme.gov.tn

Total budget: EUR 270 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 240 300.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 89.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 29 700.00

CAMARA OFICIAL DE COMERCIO INDUSTRIA, SERVICIOS Y NAVEGACION DE VALENCIA

Name: CAMARA OFICIAL DE COMERCIO INDUSTRIA, SERVICIOS Y NAVEGACION DE VALENCIA

Department: Competitiveness Department

Partner’s ID if not PIC: Q4673002D | PROFIT MAKING: False ~ STATUS PUBLIC: True

Address: Calle Poeta Querol 15, 46002 Valencia, Spain

Legal status: public

Organisation type: N.a.

Website: http://www.camaravalencia.com

Total budget: EUR 402 593.80

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 358 308.48

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 89.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 44 285.32

سلطة منطقة العقبة الاقتصادية الخاصة

Name: سلطة منطقة العقبة الاقتصادية الخاصة

Department: Tourism directorate

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 1601041601 | PROFIT MAKING: False ~ STATUS PUBLIC: True

Address: Almarkazya Aqaba, Jordan

Legal status: public

Organisation type: N.a.

Website: http://www.aqaba.com

Total budget: EUR 318 460.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 283 429.40

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 89.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 35 030.60

Batı Akdeniz Kalkınma Ajansı

Name: Batı Akdeniz Kalkınma Ajansı

Department: Social Sectors Department

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 84741853 | PROFIT MAKING: False ~ STATUS PUBLIC: True

Address: Çünür Mahallesi 102. Cadde Ekonomi Kampüsü A2Isparta, Turkey

Legal status: public

Organisation type: N.a.

Website: http://www.baka.gov.tr

Total budget: EUR 454 400.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 404 416.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 89.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 49 984.00

ΚΟΙΝΩΝΙΑ ΤΡΙΩΝ ΤΡΙΤΩΝ

Name: ΚΟΙΝΩΝΙΑ ΤΡΙΩΝ ΤΡΙΤΩΝ

Department: Non-governmental organization/association/social enterprise

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 998097281 | PROFIT MAKING: False ~ STATUS PUBLIC: False

Address: Pellis 2, Nea Filadelfia, 14342 Nea Filadelfia, Greece

Legal status: private

Organisation type: N.a.

Website (not verified): https://3tsociety.gr/en/home/

Total budget: EUR 397 970.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 354 193.30

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 89.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 43 776.70

Partners map

Partners and Projects info

Leaders Organization

Competitiveness and Internationalisation of Rural Tourism SMEs in the Mediterranean

Partners and Projects info

Ministry Of Tourism

Competitiveness and Internationalisation of Rural Tourism SMEs in the Mediterranean

Partners and Projects info

OFFICIAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE INDUSTRY, SERVICES AND NAVIGATION OF VALENCIA

Competitiveness and Internationalisation of Rural Tourism SMEs in the Mediterranean

Partners and Projects info

Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority

Competitiveness and Internationalisation of Rural Tourism SMEs in the Mediterranean

Partners and Projects info

West Mediterranean Development Agency

Competitiveness and Internationalisation of Rural Tourism SMEs in the Mediterranean

Partners and Projects info

THREE THIRDS SOCIETY

Competitiveness and Internationalisation of Rural Tourism SMEs in the Mediterranean

Partners and Projects info

Interforum Srl

Competitiveness and Internationalisation of Rural Tourism SMEs in the Mediterranean

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Project name (EN): Competitiveness and Internationalisation of Rural Tourism SMEs in the Mediterranean

Project acronym: CReSInMed~A_T_1.2_0102

Project ID: 00005

Project start date: 2026-01-07

Project end date: 2029-01-06

Project status: ongoing

Relevant linked projects:

LOCAL CLUSTERS & SOCIAL ENTERPRISES INCUBATORS IN THE FIELDS OF CULTURE/TOURISM & FOLK TRADITION (InClust) - Interreg IPA II CBC Greece-Albania 2014 – 2020 (EN) | Our project leverages the outputs of the INCLUST project to enhance the internationalization capacity of (M)SMEs in the rural tourism sector, improving competitiveness and promoting transnational cooperation in the Mediterranean. Through participation in training schemes, cluster creation, and capacity building, we aim to stimulate sustainable economic growth in rural areas. PP01 partner of INCLUST supports CReSInMed efficacy take advantages from the following output:
- Mapping and evaluation of potential beneficiaries at the local level: We will include the INCLUST methodology to identify and assess potential beneficiaries in rural Mediterranean areas. This will allow us to pinpoint the (M)SMEs that can benefit most from the project activities.
- Development of business and internationalisation adaptation plans for the formation of local clusters: We will follow the INCLUST approach in developing detailed business and internationalisation adaptation plans that will guide the sustainable growth and competitiveness of local clusters, adapting them to the specific needs of rural (M)SMEs.
- Participation in a touristic fair: By participating in international exhibition, we will follow INCLUST example to promote the products and services of rural (M)SMEs globally. This will provide opportunities for networking, international visibility, and potential business partnerships and networks.
- List of outputs to be exploited:
- Mapping and evaluation of potential beneficiaries at the local level
- Development of business and internationalisation adaptation plans
- Participation in a touristic fair (EN), Developing the INTERNISA network of synergies to increase the number of digitally skilled women employed in the ENI CBC MED territories via matching demand and supply in the labour market (INTERNISA) - ENI CBC MED 2014 - 2020 (EN) | INTERNISA project aims to expand the network of synergies to boost the employment of digitally skilled women in the ENI CBC MED territories. This involves aligning the demand and supply in the labour market through a developed interactive platform.
The e-learning platform supporting (M)SMEs in WP6 will be developed thanks to the knowledge, skills, and experience of PP04 from the INTERNISA project. This platform will be essential for enhancing the digital skills of (M)SMEs in the rural tourism sector, facilitating access to crucial resources and aligning b2b in tourism sector and promoting sustainable tourism practices. Through this platform, CReSInMed will help strengthen the competitiveness and sustainability of local businesses, fostering economic growth in the rural areas of the Mediterranean.
List of outputs to be exploited:
- platform (EN), Civil Society for Innovative and Inclusive Alternative Tourism in Tunisia – Tunisia Tourism Officer (TANIT) - number of the contract NDICI-THE-NEAR/2023/451-233 co-funding 10% from Leaders International - 90% from EU (EN) | Integrating the sustainable tourism training program from TANIT project inspiration, the CReSInMed project enhances rural (M)SMEs, improving skills in the development of sustainable and responsible tourism in rural areas of the Mediterranean. This synergistic approach will strengthen the internationalization capacity of (M)SMEs, promoting sustainable economic growth and the well-being of local communities.
The CReSInMed project, with its partner PP06, which was also a partner in the TANIT project, leverages the experience from TANIT, specifically in enhancing training for (M)SMEs on sustainable development.
Training Programme for Sustainable Tourism (Program Adaptation): By using the training program inspired by TANIT and enriched by PP06's expertise, the CReSInMed project empowers rural tourism SMEs to adopt sustainable practices, aligning with market trends and consumer preferences for eco-friendly tourism experiences. The training program developed by TANIT for sustainable tourism is integrated into the CReSInMed project to address the specific needs of (M)SMEs in rural areas of the Mediterranean. This includes specific contributions from PP06 to designing training content for (M)SMEs in rural tourism on sustainable practices, natural resource management, promotion of cultural heritage, and marketing strategies for sustainable tourism.
List of outputs to be exploited:
- Training Programme for Sustainable Tourism (EN), INCLUSIVE TOURISM - Co-funded by the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union (2017-1-ES01-KA202-038574) (EN) | INCLUSIVE TOURISM was launched with the main objective of increasing the competences of Persons with Disabilities and Professionals in the Tourism Sector for improving their employability within Inclusive and Accessible Tourism Sector.
The main outputs to be used by our project will be the guidelines for managers and staff of tourism (M)SMEs on how to increase the physical and cognitive accessibility of their companies and how to enhance the labour insertion of persons with disabilities in the sector.
This will help the (M)SMEs involved in the project in increasing their competitiveness within a growing market niche aligned with the Sustainability Development Goals (e.g.; SDG 8 and 10).
Partners will get access to these outputs through PP01, who was project leader and has rights to transfer to other partners, always within several property rights conditions.
List of outputs to be exploited:
- Guidelines for managers and staff of tourism (M)SMEs on inclusive tourism (EN)

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 2 561 648.80

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 2 279 867.43

Total EU funding (co-financing rate): 89.00%

Co-financing sources:

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

(bullets are inserted automatically and may be incorrectly placed)

Contribution to wider strategies and policies:

Other CReSInMed fits perfectly with the objectives of INTERREG NEXT MED and others policies of the EU as well as major international organizations such as the UN and the UfM, promoting economic and social development through cross-border cooperation.
Project actions address specific challenges in the Mediterranean region, such as promoting environmental sustainability, rural and sustainable tourism, and agribusiness, in line with the UN Agenda 2030 (SDGs 8, 9, and 16) and the EURO-MED programme objectives. We facilitate cultural exchange, promote intercultural understanding, and encourage collaboration among international (M)SMEs and stakeholder by improving skills and networking, thereby strengthening transnational cooperation in the Mediterranean.
CReSInMed aligns with UfM agenda to promote regional cooperation and tackle common challenges like economic development, inclusive growth, and environmental sustainability. It fosters dialogue and cooperation among Mediterranean by enhancing entrepreneurial skills in the tourism sector and promoting joint initiatives and partnerships. The project fully embraces the ESF by supporting rural tourism (M)SMEs to enhance capabilities and skills at Mediterranean level and aligning its objective with ERDF goals of regional development and economic competitiveness.
The project directly contributes to the NRRP objectives of EU Member States by promoting economic competitiveness and improving social and territorial cohesion. It also aligns with national programmes such as Tunisia's National Development Plan, Turkey 11th Development Plan, Jordan Economic Growth Plan, and Palestine's National Policy Agenda. CReSInMed share values of sustainable development and economic growth, enhancing regional cooperation and promoting social inclusion. It integrates in a complementary way with the COSME programme, contributing to strengthening initiatives aimed at supporting (M)SMEs in the tourism sector and promoting economic competitiveness.

Programme Common Output Indicator:

RCO 116 - Jointly developed solutions, Measurement unit:
RCO 085 - Participations in joint training schemes, Measurement unit:
RCO 087 - Organisations cooperating across borders, Measurement unit:

Programme Common Result Indicator:

RCR 081 - Completions of joint training schemes, Measurement unit:

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

Financing programme

2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-B NEXT Mediterranean Sea Basin (NEXT MED)

Latest month of project-partner-call data publication

2026-06

No. of projects in keep.eu / Total no. of projects (% of projects in keep.eu)

59 / 59 (100%)

No. of project partnerships in keep.eu / Total no. of project partnerships (% of project partnerships in keep.eu)

392 / 392 (100%)

Notes on the data

There are discrepancies in this programme's financial data in keep.eu. Namely, in one or more cases, the sum of the project partners' budgets exceeds the total budget of the respective project. Interact is working with the Programme to correct those figures.

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Competitiveness and Internationalisation of Rural Tourism SMEs in the Mediterranean

Description

Thematic information

Partners (7)

Partners map

Summary

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

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