We have launched the Open Cross-Border Competition for Innovative Sustainable Tourism Products
12/02/2026
The TOFOLA project has launched the Open Cross-Border Competition, an open call aimed to pilot innovative sustainable tourism solutions, with the objective of selecting an applicant to pilot and manage an innovative and sustainable tourism product in the Upper Adriatic area.
The competition
The competition marks an important milestone in the implementation of TOFOLA, a cross-border initiative focused on developing inclusive tourism experiences along four thematic itineraries linking inland forests, rivers, lagoons and coastal environments across Italy and Croatia.
Inspired by the historical timber transport routes that once supplied the shipyards of the Serenissima Republic of Venice, the itineraries aim to promote lesser-known destinations, counteract tourism seasonality and foster accessibility and social inclusion through culture-based tourism.
Through the open call, one applicant will be selected to carry out the operational testing of a tourism product co-designed during the project’s participatory workshops.
The selected applicant will be supported through a three-month incubation programme lasting 192 hours, coordinated by the Lead Partner Centro Consorzi.
The programme will provide mentoring, training and technical assistance, supporting the definition of a sustainable management model, a business strategy, communication tools and pathways for future funding.
No direct financial support is foreseen, and the selected applicant will be required to actively pursue funding opportunities to ensure the continuation of the management activity beyond the testing phase.
Who can apply
The competition is open to individuals and organisations operating within the Italy–Croatia Programme area, including SMEs, start-ups, social enterprises, cultural and creative operators, non-profit organisations, tourism networks and professionals.
Proposals must present an innovative management approach for one of the TOFOLA tourism products, demonstrating feasibility, long-term sustainability, stakeholder involvement, accessibility solutions and a clear cross-border dimension.
By launching this competition, TOFOLA strengthens its role as a pilot initiative fostering responsible tourism, open innovation and cross-border cooperation in the Adriatic region.
The call is open until 14 March 2026 at 12:00 am CET. Applications must be submitted in English.
All documentation, including the call text, application form and annexes, is available at website linked.
