SOFIA DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION was founded as non-profit organization with the decision 348
of the Sofia Municipal Council to work for the sustainable development of the capital.
CRAFT-TOUR OPENS EUROPEAN CALL FOR CRAFTSPEOPLE, WITH AT LEAST 30 PROJECTS TO RECEIVE €5,000 GRANTS
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 at least 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.
SOFIA DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION JOINS AN INNOVATIVE PROJECT SUPPORTING EUROPEAN CRAFTS AND TOURISM
Starting in January 2026, SDA will be part of the only transnational project funded by DG MOVE, under the Pilot Projects and Preparatory Actions (PPPA) scheme. Coordinated by the Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Kozani (Greece), the project CRAFT-TOUR will offer multi-level support to individual artisans and micro and small enterprises in the traditional arts and crafts, to boost their business and create new tourist opportunities. Through tailored mentoring programs, a digital platform and financial support to third parties (artisans and handicraft businesses), the project aims to bridge Europe’s cultural heritage crafts sector with sustainable tourism development, creating new opportunities for artisans, SMEs, and local communities.
Follow CRAFT-TOUR’s social media for news and opportunities for cross-border collaboration with counterparts from Greece, Italy, Spain, Finland, Estonia.
| https://www.instagram.com/craft_toureu/ | |
| https://www.facebook.com/craft.toureu | |
| https://linkedin.com/company/craft-toureu | |
| Twiiter/X | https://x.com/craft_toureu |
CRAFT-TOUR is a Pilot Projects and Preparatory Actions (PPPA), funded by Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport, (DG MOVE).
EUROPEAN CRAFTS & TOURISM SYNERGIES (CRAFT-TOUR)
The project CRAFT-TOUR aims to bridge Europe’s cultural heritage crafts sector with sustainable tourism development, creating new opportunities for artisans, SMEs, and local communities. By fostering innovation, digitalisation, and cross-border collaboration, the project will strengthen the resilience of the craft sector while enriching Europe’s tourism offer with authentic, high-quality experiences.
The project addresses the dual challenge of declining traditional crafts and the need for sustainable tourism diversification, aligning with the EU Transition Pathway for Tourism, the SME Strategy, and the European Green Deal. Through a bottom-up approach, CRAFT-TOUR will empower local craft enterprises and creative entrepreneurs to co-design innovative tourism experiences, enhance their digital presence, and access new markets.
Project objectives
The project aims to support craftsmen and promote handicraft products and enhance the attractiveness and competitiveness of Europe’s tourism offerings built around cultural heritage. The project objectives are:
(1) To preserve and promote Europe’s artisanal heritage by empowering craftspeople with new skills and markets.
(2) To boost tourism in craft-rich regions by creating authentic experiences and products for visitors.
(3) To foster transnational collaboration and knowledge exchange among craftsmen and tourism stakeholders.
Project activities
Over 24 months, CRAFT-TOUR will implement a structured programme including:
• Mapping and capacity-building for crafts and tourism stakeholders.
• Open calls for artisans/SMEs (financial support for third parties – FSTP) to pilot cross-border craft-tourism products and services.
• Digital tools and platforms to enhance visibility and market access.
• Policy engagement and dissemination to embed results into regional and EU strategies.
Project results
1. Open calls for sub-grants: the consortium will launch two transparent calls – one for individual craftspeople (30 small grants between €5,000–€25,000 for artisans) and one for 10 collaborative craft-tourism projects (larger grants, €15,000–€35,000).
2. The consortium’s business support organizations (BSOs) will provide mentoring on
business plan development, product design, marketing, and digitalization. Each supported
artisan will be paired with a mentor or coach (e.g. an experienced entrepreneur or expert
artisan) to guide them in implementing their funded project.
3. Creation of a digital collaboration platform: an online platform (website/portal) dedicated to craftspeople and craft-related tourism. This platform will serve as a knowledge hub and networking space where artisans can connect across borders.
Project consortium
The consortium includes 12 Beneficiaries from 6 countries (Greece, Finland, Spain, Italy, Bulgaria, Estonia), complemented by experts and associate partners from the cultural, tourism, and innovation sectors.
1. Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Kozani (Greece) – Coordinator.
2. Design Association Modus (Finland)
3. CEIV Cluster (Spain)
4. Camera di Commercio Toscana Nord-Ovest (Italy)
5. Camera di Commercio Cremona-Mantova-Pavia (Italy)
6. Sofia Development Association (Bulgaria)
7. University of Patras (Greece)
8. European Institute for Local Development (Greece)
9. INNOQUEST (Estonia)
10. CONSULTA-EUROPA (Spain)
11. EUROPRO (Italy)
12. AIJU (Spain)
Project period
01/1/2026 – 31/12/2027
CRAFT-TOUR is a Pilot Projects and Preparatory Actions (PPPA), funded by Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport, (DG MOVE).