Despite the disproportionate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on culture and tourism in the North-West Europe (NWE) region, there are opportunities for these vital sectors to improve economic development, social inclusion, and social innovation. Analysis has shown that rural and more remote areas can reduce pressure on areas with higher tourism density, while focusing on competitive advantages such as natural assets. Local tourism is conducive to sustainable approaches offering longer seasonality, more socially inclusive target groups, eco-friendlier approaches, sustainable access and mobility modes, holistic networking and upskilling of local interdependent professionals whilst helping to create jobs and stem depopulation. Similarly, innovative transnational cultural projects, stimulating social cohesion and inclusion as well as support for the creative industries can contribute to greater empowerment and regeneration in deprived areas across the NWE Programme area. Within this Specific Objective, the Programme aims to support projects that:Territorial challenges and opportunities
Objectives
• Increase sustainable and territorially balanced tourism in the NWE, whilst considering the green and digital transformation.
• Improve social inclusion and social innovation, including better access to and involvement in tourism and culture sectors for vulnerable people.
• Improve access to and sustainable management of natural and cultural heritage assets.
Discover the related themes
MONA
MOdal shift, routing and nudging solutions in NAture areas for sustainable tourism
Running from 2023 to 2027, the MONA project aims to promote sustainable tourism in nature areas. How, exactly? By promoting a shift to more sustainable modes of transport in national parks, implementing inclusive route planning, and encouraging all u...
REFOOT
Retracing the Footsteps: A Transnational Journey of Canadian Liberation in WWII
REFOOT is a transnational project that will create a hiking trail network retracing the footsteps of Canadian soldiers who liberated Europe during World War II. The project seeks to promote sustainable tourism and preserve the European historical mem...
ReStart
ReStart - Regenerative and Sustainable Tourism Advancing Regional Transition
The ReStart project, officially launched in January 2026, brings together a strong European consortium committed to redefining tourism’s role in economic and social development across North-West Europe (NWE).Funded under the Interreg North-West Europ...
SLOWTOUR
Unlocking Heritage Opportunities for Slow Tourism
The SLOWTOUR project, officially launched in January 2026, brings together a strong European consortium committed to redefining tourism’s role in economic and social development across North-West Europe (NWE).Funded under the Interreg North-West Euro...
This Specific Objective 4.6 aims to enhance the role of culture and sustainable tourism in the economic development of NWE, social inclusion and social innovation.
This sector was and still is severely affected by the negative consequences emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The territorial analysis of the transnational cooperation area showed that rural and remote areas in NWE can use their competitive advantages (e.g. rich natural assets, “hidden gems” to alleviate highly frequented regions). Local tourism can help promote sustainable tourism (longer seasonality, eco-friendlier approaches, networking of local interdependent professionals) and contribute to halting depopulation and upskilling professionals.
There are also potentials for developing innovative cultural projects and supporting creative and cultural industries, especially as elements to stimulate social and societal cohesion and inclusion, as well as to empower and regenerate “deprived” areas (whether urban, rural, intermediate or coastal areas).
This priority contributes to the long-term vision of European regions for the tourism of tomorrow as well as to the UN SDGs 8 on decent work and economic growth, 10 on reduced inequalities. 11 on sustainable cities and territories, and 12 on responsible consumption and production.
Grants are the selected form of support for this SO. The size of planned operations, and the type of cooperation of target groups beyond national borders, allow for very limited use of support other than grants. In addition, planned operations will not generate significant revenue.