GreenSET program

MUNICIPALITY PUKE
June 1, 2023
ENTERPRISE EUROPE NETWORK EUROPEAN (EEN)
October 7, 2025
GREENSET OPEN CALL 2- BSO

Chapter 2: Terms of Reference

I. Guidelines for applicants (Open Call text)

OPEN CALL FOR BUSINESS SUPPORT ORGANISATIONS (BSOs)

EXPAND YOUR PORTFOLIO: BECOME A SUSTAINABLE SERVICE INNOVATION ADVISOR FOR TOURISM

Develop new skills. Create greater value for your tourism clients.

The GreenSET project is launching an open call for Business Support Organisations (BSOs) from MED regions to participate in the MEDSSIM sustainability pilot actions.

Selected BSOs will receive free training in the MEDSSIM methodology, and learn how to use it to provide support, tailored mentoring, practical tools, as they support SMEs in designing innovative, sustainable tourism service concepts.

This open call aims to select a minimum of 3 BSOs per country to pilot the MEDSSIM methodology, developed by partners of the Interreg EURO-MED GreenSET project.

Overall, a minimum of 27 BSOs from the Interreg MED programme area (3 per partner country) will be selected.

Each selected BSO will be trained in the MEDSSIM methodology and will then apply it directly in its work with one SME, accompanied by (Partner name). Participation is free of charge for selected BSOs. The SME is selected through a separate open call. Each selected BSO is matched with one SME by (Partner name). The matching considers the profiles of both the BSO and the SME.

Organisations of all sizes are welcome to apply — chambers of commerce, business incubators, innovation centres, business clusters, development agencies, consulting companies, individual consultants (formally established to carry out economic activity, e.g. sole trader, self-employed professional or equivalent) and similar.

Participants that successfully complete the pilot will be offered the possibility of certification in the MEDSSIM methodology.

What is MEDSSIM?

MEDSSIM (MED Sustainable Service Innovation Methodology) is a practical, step-by-step method designed to help SMEs create circular and sustainable services applicable in tourism. It strengthens their innovation capacity and competitiveness, thus also helping them use resources more efficiently and reduce their environmental impact.

How does the MEDSSIM methodology work?

It guides SMEs through the following key phases:

  • Internal discovery & ecosystem mapping
  • Opportunity identification & idea generation
  • Service development & validation
  • Sustainable business model design
  • Implementation & continuous improvement.
What support will selected BSOs receive?

Selected BSOs will benefit from:

  • Training on the MEDSSIM methodology
  • Tailored guidance and mentoring from experts
  • Support in applying the MEDSSIM methodology with one SME to develop a tailored service concept applicable in tourism
  • Opportunity to test practical digital, green, and operational tools to improve services and reduce costs
  • Visibility as an EU-level best practice
  • Participation in transnational learning activities.

Pilot support will last approximately 2-3 months (between December 2026 to February 2027).

Participants that successfully complete the pilot will be offered the possibility of certification in the MEDSSIM methodology.

Who can apply?

Eligible applicants

Business Support Organisations (BSOs):

  • registered in one of the regions covered by the project partners : Crna Gora (ME00), Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (FRL0), Veneto (ITH3), Comunitat Valenciana (ES52), Kriti (EL43), Kýpros (CY00), Algarve (PT15), Albania (AL0), Hrvatska (HR0).

Organisations of all sizes are welcome to apply — chambers of commerce, business incubators, innovation centres, business clusters, development agencies, consulting companies, individual consultants (formally established to carry out economic activity, e.g. sole trader, self-employed professional or equivalent) and similar.

What is expected from participating BSOs?
  • Participation in workshops, trainings, and mentoring sessions
  • Appointment of a dedicated contact person
  • Sharing necessary operational information for analysis
  • Supporting the SME in implementing the developed service concepts
  • Agreeing that their involvement and outcomes may be shared publicly in project materials, such as case studies, results, portfolios and best-practice catalogues.
  • Availability for possible participation in the promotion of the project.
Selection criteria
  1. Motivation and post training 'action plan’
  2. Capacity and resources to participate
  3. Experience and Multiplication Potential
  4. Territorial Coverage and Sectoral Focus
How to apply

Submit your application via: https://www.jotform.com/form/262686085040054

Need more information?

Contact your national GreenSET partner: [email protected]

II. Terms of Reference for Participation

The legal representative of the Business Support Organisation (BSO), agrees to:
  1. Take part in the following activities:
    • Training programme on the Service Innovation Methodology for BSOs (approx. 2 man-days for BSOs), hosted by (Partner Name)
    • Co-apply the MEDSSIM methodology through workshops with selected SMEs (approx. 2 man-days for BSOs and SMEs), accompanied by (Partner name)
    • Co-support the selected SME in completing the MEDSSIM pilot activities (approx. 6 man-days for BSOs and SMEs), accompanied by (Partner name).

    Participation in training is mandatory for successful completion of the pilot. Participation requires approximately 2 months of engagement, totalling around 10 working days.

    The timeline will be organised based on the participants’ schedule, ensuring flexibility to guarantee the successful completion of the pilot.

    If further implementation support is needed to integrate new services, additional expert meetings (approx. 2 days) may be organised by mutual agreement.

  2. Ensure the participation of at least one staff member (two being strongly recommended) holding relevant roles.
  3. Apply the MEDSSIM methodology with one SME throughout the pilot, with the support of the GreenSET project experts.
  4. Allow the use of BSO name and logo for dissemination of project results (Interreg MED Programme).
  5. Agree to participate in interviews, videos, or press releases relating to project results.
  6. Immediately inform the project partner of any issues affecting participation.
  7. Agree that the involvement and outcomes may be shared publicly in project materials, such as case studies, results, and best-practice catalogues.
  8. Treat as confidential any non-public information about the SME obtained during the pilot – including commercial, financial, technical and operational information – and use it solely for the purposes of the pilot activities. This obligation applies during the pilot and continues after it ends, including in the event of withdrawal.
  9. Each selected BSO will receive indirect State aid valued at €2500, corresponding to consultancy, training, and support services provided by the project.

    No financial payment will be made; the aid is entirely in the form of services delivered at no cost to the beneficiary.

    This aid is granted under Commission Regulation (EU) No 651/2014 (GBER), Article 20a, and does not count toward the BSO's de minimis ceiling.

    BSOs must declare the €2500 only when applying for other support measures under Article 20a or for similar advisory services.

    The maximum aid per undertaking per project under Article 20a is €22,000. Records will be kept for 10 years in line with GBER requirements.

  10. If selected for participation, sign a Letter of Commitment confirming agreement with the points above.

The Regional Development Agency of Tirana is proud to announce its participation as an official partner in GreenSET, an ambitious and collaborative project under the Interreg Euro-MED Programme. This forward-thinking initiative is set to revolutionize the tourism sector in the Mediterranean through circular economy principles and sustainable innovation.

 

What is GreenSET?

 

GreenSET – Green Sustainable Eco-Tourism – is a project funded by the Interreg Euro MED 2021–2027 Programme. Its mission is to empower small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the tourism sector by providing practical tools and guidance to adopt sustainable and circular economy practices.

 

Tourism in the Mediterranean is largely driven by SMEs, and GreenSET aims to equip these businesses with the knowledge, resources, and support needed to become competitive, resilient, and environmentally responsible.

 

At the heart of GreenSET is the MEDSSIM methodology (MED Sustainable Service Innovation Methodology), which enables Business Support Organizations (BSOs) to guide SMEs in designing and delivering innovative, sustainable tourism services.

 

Key Deliverables

 

•             A Certification Scheme for MEDSSIM Experts

•             An Implementation Toolbox and Competence Pack for BSOs

•             A Library of Best Practices and Circular Service Patterns

 

Project Details at a Glance

 

•             Project Name: GreenSET – Green Sustainable Eco-Tourism

•             Programme: Interreg Euro-MED 2021–2027

•             Funding: Interreg Funds

•             Duration: 33 months

 

 

Links and Resources

 

•             GreenSET Project Website: https://greenset.interreg-euro-med.eu/

•             Interreg Euro-MED Programme: https://interreg-euro-med.eu/

•             GreenSET on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/greenseteuromed/   

 

Meet the Project Partners

 

GreenSET brings together 9 dynamic partners from across the Mediterranean, with expertise in tourism, sustainability, innovation, and regional development:

 

 

nicosia-tourism-board-logo-en-1-e1750065581296
Organisation Description
Nicosia Tourism Board (NTB), is a non-profit Company, established in November 2007 within the framework of the Cyprus Tourism Organisation Strategic Plan. The main objective of NTB is to develop and promote Nicosia as a tourist destination. The company’s primary strategic plan focuses on four main areas: Cultural and Religious Tourism, Conferences & Incentives Tourism, Business Tourism and Sports tourism. The President of the Board is Mr Theodoros Kringou. The Board has representatives from the Municipalities and Communities of Nicosia, the Deputy Ministry of Tourism, ACTA, ACTE and Cyprus Hotel Association.
sinloc-logotipo-orizzontale-a-colori-su-fondo-bianco_1
Organisation Description
Sinloc S.p.A. is a consulting company that promotes local development mostly through the implementation of infrastructures, with technical assistance activities, feasibility studies and investments in Public-Private Partnership projects all over Italy and Europe. It supports local institutions, companies and non-profit entities in setting up impact-oriented projects. It focuses on 8 areas of activity: energy transition, urban regeneration, mobility and logistics, networks and public utilities, healthcare and welfare, education and research, art and tourism and food and health. It works guaranteeing direct responsibility towards its investors and communities of reference, consistently with the seventeen UN’s SDGs.
regional-development-agency-tirana-e1750064413469
Organisation Description
The Tirana Regional Development Agency (RDA), founded in 1993, dedicated to fostering economic growth and SMEs in Albania by collaborating with businesses, donors, and government entities. It serves as a cross-sector resource centre offering business consultancy by aiding over 400 SMEs with planning and investment strategies; market research, assessing various sectors, products, and services to guide decisions; and training programs, enhancing entrepreneurship and sustainability, including in tourism. Additionally, it fosters networking and partnerships, coordinating with agencies across Albania to promote collaboration and knowledge exchange. The RDA plays a vital role in capacity-building and pioneering new methodologies for sustainable business development.
step-logo-hrv-1
Organisation Description
STEP RI, founded by the University of Rijeka in 2008, is a leading Croatian center for innovation and business development. It supports startups, SMEs, researchers, and institutions in turning ideas into sustainable, competitive ventures. With expertise in innovation management, design thinking, digital transformation, and access to finance, STEP RI guides clients from early ideation to market entry and growth. Bridging academia and business, it has led or partnered in over 50 national and international projects and actively contributes to European programs such as the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN), European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIH), and the Proof of Concept (PoC) program.
logo_versoes_ta_mono_hor
Organisation Description
TERTÚLIA ALGARVIA, an NGO founded in 2006, focuses on promoting and enhancing traditional food and the Mediterranean diet. Since 2012, it has engaged in various national and EU projects related to gastronomy, food, culinary-wine, creative and sustainable tourism. A key initiative related with GreenSET project was the NO Algarbage project which supported zero waste in tourism. This project developed best practices for reducing food waste in the tourism industry, carried out pilot actions and implemented a food waste reduction strategy. Another project, ALGARVE CRAFT&FOOD supported micro and small companies, such as agri-food producers, in developing Cultural, Creative and Sustainable Tourism Experience Programs through Creation Labs, Training Actions, and also working sessions with tour operators.
GreenSET program
Organisation Description
R2M stands for Research to Market. R2M Solution France is an agile, innovation-driven SME dedicated since 2016 to accelerating the uptake of cutting-edge solutions in sustainability, digitalisation, and the circular economy. With active participation in over 40 EU-funded projects, R2M brings solid expertise in the exploitation of results, market uptake, piloting, and life cycle assessment (LCA). In the GREENSET project, R2M France leads the piloting of the MEDSSIM methodology, ensuring that project innovations are effectively transferred to the market through targeted training for Business Support Organisations and SMEs.
untitled-design-4-e1750067690896
Organisation Description
The Foundation for Research and Technology – Hellas (FORTH), established in 1983, is Greece’s largest public research center, known for its cutting-edge facilities and expert personnel. FORTH leads interdisciplinary research in fields such as photonics, nanotechnology, biotechnology, computer science, precision medicine, energy, and social sciences, with a strong focus on societal and economic impact. In 1993, FORTH established the Science and Technology Park of Crete (STEP-C) to foster innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology transfer. STEP-C hosts start-ups in a 4,000 sq.m. space and actively supports intellectual property management and regional development. It collaborates closely with regional authorities and is a founding member of both the Greek and European EURAXESS Network and the IASP. Together, FORTH and STEP-C have significant expertise in areas central to this project, including sustainability, circular economy, lean methodologies, and digitalization, having participated in over 100 related projects, contributing to both research excellence and SME development.
GreenSET program
Organisation Description
CEEI Valencia is a pioneering innovation center supporting entrepreneurship and business transformation. With over 34 years of experience, it has guided more than 9,000 individuals and contributed to the creation of over 1,500 companies. As the longest-standing innovation hub in Valencia, CEEI provides startups, entrepreneurs, and SMEs with expert advisory and incubation services to foster innovation and sustainable growth. It operates in coordination with other CEEIs in the Valencian Community, ANCES, SEIMED, and leading innovation networks, offering tailored tools and support for emerging business projects.
bsc-bar-logo-for-project-png-171×300
Organisation Description
The Business Start-Up Center (BSC) Bar is a foundation established in 2007 with the mission to foster economic growth in Bar, Montenegro, by supporting the development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). BSC Bar achieves this through a variety of initiatives, including supporting education systems, reducing business barriers, and providing access to finance for start-ups. BSC Bar manages incubator with the aim to support the development of start-up businesses in the municipality of Bar and has been involved in over 60 national and international projects . Since 2008 BSC Bar as member has been contributing to the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN )