Loading…
Strategic Analysis
A winning proposal must bridge advanced, trustworthy AI applications with community-led regenerative tourism practices, positioning technology not merely as an efficiency driver but as an enabler of anticipatory governance and cultural preservation. The consortium should demonstrate concrete deployment across diverse, under-visited destinations (rural, peri-urban, and cross-border) while integrating directly with emerging European data infrastructures like the European Data Space for Tourism. Success hinges on delivering an actionable analytical framework for ethical AI, combined with institutionalized capacity-building networks that safeguard minority heritage and improve working conditions for local cultural actors.
TRL 2 → 6
Based on programme defaults
Explore how integrating AI-powered tools and other emerging technologies with cultural tourism can strengthen its resilience, inclusivity, and sustainability, moving tourism systems from reactive management to anticipatory governance models through AI-assisted participatory foresight.
Investigate AI applications that reshape cultural tourism experiences while ensuring authenticity, respecting local integrity, enhancing inclusivity and accessibility for persons with disabilities, and managing visitor pressure, potentially leveraging public and private data infrastructures like the European Data space for Tourism.
Use AI-powered virtual and augmented reality to boost visitor engagement and cross-cultural appreciation while preserving historical integrity, and investigate novel approaches to ethically managed AI-driven personalisation that ensure fair representation of minority or lesser-known heritage.
Analyse the integration of AI in multilingual interpretation and cultural mediation, or develop and refine AI-powered tools for visitor flow management, real-time heritage monitoring, and balancing preservation with inclusive tourism.
Develop methodological frameworks for applying AI-assisted foresight (e.g. scenario planning, horizon scanning) combined with participatory workshops to anticipate trends, disruptions, and risks, co-creating forward-looking sustainable tourism strategies with local communities and stakeholders.
Develop sustainable cultural tourism frameworks and strategies tailored to emerging and less-developed destinations (urban, peri-urban, rural), especially low-income and lesser-known regions, to foster creative entrepreneurial ecosystems, address depopulation, prevent overtourism, and ensure equitable benefit-sharing.
Investigate cross-border collaboration models that enable mutual learning, upskilling, fair working conditions, knowledge transfer and capacity building between EU and non-EU partners, prioritising partnerships among local communities, creative industries, local businesses and cultural heritage organisations.
Establish collaborative networks for small businesses and civil society actors in cultural tourism, connecting them with researchers, policymakers, expertise, knowledge, and resources.
Ensure cooperation with and policy uptake of existing knowledge, tools, and best practices from past and ongoing EU-funded research, develop frameworks integrating cultural tourism with broader sustainability, digital transformation, and social inclusion goals, create co-creative policy development methodologies, and establish continuous knowledge exchange mechanisms.
Evidence-based policy recommendations and solutions for integrating cultural tourism into strategies for regenerative sustainability, environmental protection (for example, from degradation or biodiversity loss), digital transformation, social inclusion and gender equality at all levels of government. As a result, cultural tourism becomes a stronger driver of regenerative sustainable development, increases workforce numbers and skills, and improves working conditions. Research impact is maximised through coordinated dissemination and policy co-creation, facilitating implementation of research-based solutions by policymakers and stakeholders.
A comprehensive analytical framework for ethical AI integration in sustainable cultural tourism balancing sustainable competitiveness with cultural authenticity and inclusivity.
Methodological frameworks and tools for AI-assisted foresight in cultural tourism enabling policymakers, civil society and stakeholders to anticipate changes and adapt strategies proactively.
Evidence-based, community-centric models and strategies for sustainable cultural tourism in emerging and less-developed destinations, adaptable to diverse contexts within and beyond the EU.
An international collaborative network for small business and civil society in cultural tourism, focused on cross-border partnerships, regenerative practices and equitable benefit-sharing. This network will connect stakeholders with researchers, policymakers, expertise, and resources to co-create culturally respectful, regenerative cultural tourism models and improve workforce conditions in underserved regions.
The full potential of cultural heritage, arts and cultural and creative industries and sectors as drivers of both sustainable innovation and a European sense of belonging is realised through a continuous engagement with society, citizens and economic sectors.
Council conclusions of 21 May 2014 on cultural heritage as a strategic resource for a sustainable Europe
highThe Council conclusions recognise cultural heritage as a major strategic asset and non-renewable resource for a smart, sustainable, and inclusive Europe. They advocate for mainstreaming heritage across diverse policy areas, highlighting its multi-dimensional value for social cohesion, local economic development, and environmental sustainability.
Evaluators expect proposals to approach cultural heritage holistically rather than purely as a preservation issue, demonstrating concrete strategies to harness heritage assets for sustainable local economies, participatory governance, and community resilience.
Council of Europe Framework Convention on the Value of Cultural Heritage for Society
highCommonly known as the Faro Convention (2005), this framework emphasizes the human and societal aspects of cultural heritage, defining the right of individuals and communities to participate in cultural life. It encourages public participation, civil society involvement, and shared responsibility in the management and enjoyment of cultural heritage.
Evaluators look for participatory and people-centred methodologies that engage local communities, heritage communities, and diverse stakeholders in co-creating tourism and heritage management strategies in line with the Faro principles.
Culture Compass for Europe
mediumThe Culture Compass for Europe is a strategic framework developed by the European Commission to guide EU action in the cultural sector. It aims to foster a more coherent and impactful approach to culture, addressing key challenges and opportunities. It typically outlines priorities such as promoting cultural diversity, strengthening the cultural and creative sectors, fostering cultural participation, and leveraging culture for external relations.
Proposals should demonstrate how they align with the strategic directions and priorities outlined in the Culture Compass, particularly regarding the role of culture in societal development, innovation, and European identity. Evaluators will look for projects that contribute to the overarching goals of strengthening the cultural and creative sectors, enhancing cultural participation, and promoting European values through culture.
UN Sustainable Development Goals
mediumThe UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a collection of 17 interlinked global goals designed to be a 'blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all.' Adopted by all UN Member States in 2015, they address global challenges including poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace, and justice.
Proposals should clearly articulate which specific SDGs their project contributes to and how. This involves demonstrating a tangible impact on sustainable development, whether through environmental, social, or economic dimensions, and aligning with the EU's commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Specific requirements
EU space data infrastructures
If the project uses satellite-based Earth observation, positioning, navigation or timing data/services, beneficiaries must use Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS. Other sources may be added but not substitute EU infrastructures.
Civil applications only
Horizon Europe funds exclusively civil applications. Research with exclusive military or dual-use application is excluded.
Gender Equality Plan
Having a Gender Equality Plan (GEP) is an eligibility criterion for public bodies, research organisations, and higher education institutions from Member States and Associated Countries.
Open Science
Mandatory open access to peer-reviewed scientific publications and responsible management of research data (FAIR principles, DMP required).
">
As described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes.
Proposal page limits and layout: described in Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System.
As described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.
A number of non-EU/non-Associated Countries that are not automatically eligible for funding have made specific provisions for making funding available for their participants in Horizon Europe projects. See the information in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.
Subject to restrictions for the protection of European communication networks.
As described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.
As described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes.
As described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes.
As described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual.
As described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes.
The granting authority may, up to 4 years after the end of the action, object to a transfer of ownership or to the exclusive licensing of results, as set out in the specific provision of Annex 5.
Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2021-2027) – and in actions under the Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (2021-2025) [[This decision is available on the Funding and Tenders Portal, in the reference documents section for Horizon Europe, under ‘Simplified costs decisions’ or through this link: https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/ls-decision_he_en.pdf]].
In addition, as described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes.
As described in the specific topic of the Work Programme.
Application form templates — the application form specific to this call is available in the Submission System
Standard application form (HE RIA, IA)
Evaluation form templates — will be used with the necessary adaptations
Standard evaluation form (HE RIA, IA)
Guidance
Model Grant Agreements (MGA)
Call-specific instructions
Guidance: "Lump sums - what do I need to know?"
HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 1. General Introduction
HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 5. Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society
HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 15. General Annexes
HE Framework Programme 2021/695
HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764
EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509
Decision authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme
Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment
EU Grants AGA — Annotated Model Grant Agreement
Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual
Evaluators under Cluster 2 will scrutinize whether technological ambition (AI, VR/AR, predictive visitor flow modeling) overshadows local community agency and authentic cultural heritage values. They will look for: (1) rigorous compliance with trustworthy AI principles and the EU AI Act regarding ethical personalization and non-discriminatory representation of minority heritage; (2) credible multi-stakeholder governance models that involve small tourism businesses and civil society in anticipatory foresight rather than top-down digital management; (3) concrete validation across emerging and less-developed destinations to avoid exacerbating regional inequalities; and (4) sound lump-sum work package breakdown linking technological pilots directly to evidence-based policy uptake and cross-border collaborative networks.
Everything the call asks for, seen from the call's point of view. Each line shows what answers it, and which partner carries it.
This matrix lists everything the call asks for: outcomes, impacts, scope, the requirements buried in the call text, and policy alignment. Sign up free and GrantForge tracks each line against the concept you build.
| Requirement | Covered by | Carried | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scope activities | |||
| SC1Explore how integrating AI-powered tools and other emerging technologies with cultural tourism can strengthen its resilience, inclusivity, and sustainability, moving tourism systems from reactive management to anticipatory governance models through AI-assisted participatory foresight. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC2Investigate AI applications that reshape cultural tourism experiences while ensuring authenticity, respecting local integrity, enhancing inclusivity and accessibility for persons with disabilities, and managing visitor pressure, potentially leveraging public and private data infrastructures like the European Data space for Tourism. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC3Use AI-powered virtual and augmented reality to boost visitor engagement and cross-cultural appreciation while preserving historical integrity, and investigate novel approaches to ethically managed AI-driven personalisation that ensure fair representation of minority or lesser-known heritage. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC4Analyse the integration of AI in multilingual interpretation and cultural mediation, or develop and refine AI-powered tools for visitor flow management, real-time heritage monitoring, and balancing preservation with inclusive tourism. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC5Develop methodological frameworks for applying AI-assisted foresight (e.g. scenario planning, horizon scanning) combined with participatory workshops to anticipate trends, disruptions, and risks, co-creating forward-looking sustainable tourism strategies with local communities and stakeholders. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC6Develop sustainable cultural tourism frameworks and strategies tailored to emerging and less-developed destinations (urban, peri-urban, rural), especially low-income and lesser-known regions, to foster creative entrepreneurial ecosystems, address depopulation, prevent overtourism, and ensure equitable benefit-sharing. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC7Investigate cross-border collaboration models that enable mutual learning, upskilling, fair working conditions, knowledge transfer and capacity building between EU and non-EU partners, prioritising partnerships among local communities, creative industries, local businesses and cultural heritage organisations. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC8Establish collaborative networks for small businesses and civil society actors in cultural tourism, connecting them with researchers, policymakers, expertise, knowledge, and resources. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC9Ensure cooperation with and policy uptake of existing knowledge, tools, and best practices from past and ongoing EU-funded research, develop frameworks integrating cultural tourism with broader sustainability, digital transformation, and social inclusion goals, create co-creative policy development methodologies, and establish continuous knowledge exchange mechanisms. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Expected outcomes | |||
| EO1Evidence-based policy recommendations and solutions for integrating cultural tourism into strategies for regenerative sustainability, environmental protection (for example, from degradation or biodiversity loss), digital transformation, social inclusion and gender equality at all levels of government. As a result, cultural tourism becomes a stronger driver of regenerative sustainable development, increases workforce numbers and skills, and improves working conditions. Research impact is maximised through coordinated dissemination and policy co-creation, facilitating implementation of research-based solutions by policymakers and stakeholders. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO2A comprehensive analytical framework for ethical AI integration in sustainable cultural tourism balancing sustainable competitiveness with cultural authenticity and inclusivity. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO3Methodological frameworks and tools for AI-assisted foresight in cultural tourism enabling policymakers, civil society and stakeholders to anticipate changes and adapt strategies proactively. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO4Evidence-based, community-centric models and strategies for sustainable cultural tourism in emerging and less-developed destinations, adaptable to diverse contexts within and beyond the EU. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO5An international collaborative network for small business and civil society in cultural tourism, focused on cross-border partnerships, regenerative practices and equitable benefit-sharing. This network will connect stakeholders with researchers, policymakers, expertise, and resources to co-create culturally respectful, regenerative cultural tourism models and improve workforce conditions in underserved regions. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Other requirements | |||
| REQ1Leveraging the European Data Space for Tourism and other data infrastructuresProposals could leverage available public and private data and infrastructures, such as the European Data space for Tourism. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ2International cooperation and partnerships with non-EU countriesPartnerships with non-EU countries are encouraged, investigating cross-border collaboration models for mutual learning, upskilling, and knowledge transfer. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ3Multi-stakeholder co-creation and participatory engagementProposals should involve diverse stakeholders—including policymakers across government levels, local communities, NGOs, creative industries, and businesses—in participatory workshops and co-creative policy development. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ4Synergies with past and ongoing EU-funded researchAll proposals should ensure cooperation with and policy uptake of existing knowledge, tools, and best practices from past and ongoing EU-funded research, including projects funded under Cluster 6 (HORIZON-CL6-2024-COMMUNITIES-02-2-two-stage). | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ5FAIR data complianceParticular efforts should be made to ensure that the data produced in the context of actions under this Destination is Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Re-usable (FAIR). | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ6Integration with EOSC, ESFRI, and European Collaborative Cloud for Cultural HeritageWhere appropriate, actions should leverage European Research Infrastructures federated under EOSC or ESFRI, and consider integrating data/tools with the European Collaborative Cloud for Cultural Heritage (ECCCH). | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ7Coordination with EIT Culture and CreativityThe innovation ecosystems created and nurtured by the EIT Knowledge and Innovation Communities, in particular KIC EIT Culture and Creativity, may be considered by applicants. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ8Ethical AI management and non-discriminatory personalisationProposals should investigate novel approaches to AI-driven personalisation that are ethically managed, non-discriminatory, and ensure fair representation of minority or lesser-known heritage. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Expected impacts | |||
| EI1The full potential of cultural heritage, arts and cultural and creative industries and sectors as drivers of both sustainable innovation and a European sense of belonging is realised through a continuous engagement with society, citizens and economic sectors. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Underlying policies | |||
| POL1council conclusions on cultural heritage as a strategic resource for a sustainable europeThe Council conclusions recognise cultural heritage as a major strategic asset and non-renewable resource for a smart, sustainable, and inclusive Europe. They advocate for mainstreaming heritage across diverse policy areas, highlighting its multi-dimensional value for social cohesion, local economic development, and environmental sustainability. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL2council of europe framework convention on the value of cultural heritage for societyCommonly known as the Faro Convention (2005), this framework emphasizes the human and societal aspects of cultural heritage, defining the right of individuals and communities to participate in cultural life. It encourages public participation, civil society involvement, and shared responsibility in the management and enjoyment of cultural heritage. | · | · | Sign up to track |
The binding rules of this call. Items marked auto are verified by GrantForge from the call and the template. The others are yours to confirm.
LMIC entities auto-eligible
Low/middle-income country entities are automatically eligible for funding.
EU space data infrastructures
If the project uses satellite-based Earth observation, positioning, navigation or timing data/services, beneficiaries must use Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS. Other sources may be added but not substitute EU infrastructures.
Civil applications only
Horizon Europe funds exclusively civil applications. Research with exclusive military or dual-use application is excluded.
Gender Equality Plan
Having a Gender Equality Plan (GEP) is an eligibility criterion for public bodies, research organisations, and higher education institutions from Member States and Associated Countries.
Open Science
Mandatory open access to peer-reviewed scientific publications and responsible management of research data (FAIR principles, DMP required).
4 key insights you must internalise before writing. Each is grounded in the call text and tells you what evaluators will actually look for. Share these with your consortium before drafting.
A proposal must explicitly select and state its alignment with either Focus 1 (AI and foresight) or Focus 2 (sustainable local development). Attempting to address both equally or failing to declare a specific track will dilute the proposal's narrative and violate the call's strict structural mandate.
Source: Scope
Because this is a lump-sum grant, the financial and operational evaluation hinges heavily on the work package architecture. Evaluators are explicitly instructed to check that the lump-sum breakdown directly connects technological pilots to evidence-based policy uptake and cross-border collaborative networks, rather than isolating technical development in separate silos.
Source: Evaluation_pre_award
Evaluators will actively penalize proposals where technological ambition, such as predictive modeling or VR, overshadows local community agency. To score highly, the consortium must demonstrate rigorous compliance with the EU AI Act, ensuring that AI personalization remains ethical and avoids discriminatory representation of minority heritage.
Source: Evaluation_pre_award
Regardless of the chosen Focus area, every proposal must integrate a co-creative policy development methodology involving diverse stakeholders. The call mandates that all projects establish continuous knowledge exchange mechanisms to translate research insights into evidence-based strategies, ensuring active cooperation with past EU-funded cultural tourism projects.
Source: Scope
Talk to the Grant Coach to build your concept. There is no set order: start wherever your project starts. The sections below mirror what the conversation produces, and your coverage tracks the progress. You can refine everything once your project workspace is created.
The problems this call frames, and who they affect. Your concept and plan address them.
Commercial tourism recommendation engines and AI platforms exacerbate overtourism at major landmarks while erasing minority, peripheral, and lesser-known cultural assets through biased representation and extractive data harvesting.
Destination managers in emerging regions lack predictive foresight tools, interoperable visitor flow data, and participatory methodologies to anticipate socio-ecological pressures, leading to over-saturation or persistent under-utilization.
Small businesses and independent cultural operators face prohibitive barriers in adopting advanced digital/AI tools, suffering from chronic seasonality, low technological capacity, and precarious labor conditions.
Small and micro-enterprises operating within local tourism ecosystems, guiding services, cultural production, crafts, and hospitality in emerging and underserved destinations.
Public and public-private bodies responsible for managing heritage assets, municipal cultural policy, urban-rural development, and visitor flow planning.
Resident groups, minority cultural associations, disability advocacy networks, and cultural NGOs safeguarding tangible and intangible cultural assets.
Researchers and academic institutions working across cultural heritage studies, computational social sciences, sustainable tourism management, and human-centric AI systems.
Government authorities and EU policy units steering digital transformation, cultural heritage conservation, regional cohesion, and regenerative tourism strategies.
The long-term impacts your project should drive, and the policies they serve.
Empower local authorities and communities to adopt anticipatory, co-creative governance models that balance visitor flows, safeguard cultural assets, and protect intangible community identity.
Stimulate localized, diversified entrepreneurial activity in low-income and emerging regions through ethically mediated AI tools and cross-border peer networks, reversing depopulation and expanding sustainable employment.
Enhance cognitive and physical accessibility for persons with disabilities and underrepresented demographics through AI-driven multilingual interpretation and adaptive immersive mediation.