Three years of activities, meetings and pilot actions across seven Mediterranean countries: an open invitation to SMEs and public and private rural tourism operators to shape a more sustainable future for the Mediterranean
In the past, the prosperity of many rural communities depended on their ability to read the signs of nature: those who understood the rhythm of the seasons, the cycles of water and the fertility of the soil were able to turn hard work into wealth. Much has changed since then, but one thing remains true: real development is impossible without knowledge, and today knowledge largely comes from data.
Rural areas across the Mediterranean face the same challenges: depopulation, low attractiveness, an ageing population and migration towards urban centres threaten the survival of a unique cultural and landscape heritage. Tourism can be part of the solution, as long as it is genuinely sustainable and supported by tools that are accessible to everyone in the value chain — starting with small and medium-sized enterprises.
This is the foundation of CLUSTERATLAS4MED: putting data and digital tools in the hands of rural Mediterranean SMEs, turning information and knowledge into concrete opportunities for development, inclusion and territorial enhancement.
The project entered its operational phase on 6–7 November 2025, during the kick-off meeting hosted in Potenza (Italy) at the headquarters of the Basilicata Region. The meeting brought partners together and marked the transition from planning to concrete action; we also engaged LAGs, representatives of local authorities, universities and the Chamber of Commerce of Basilicata, all key actors whose involvement will be essential for the success of the upcoming activities.
The first step: listening and building together
We will begin by listening: collecting information on existing policies, mapping good practices across the Mediterranean, and identifying tools that already work well and could be adapted or replicated. Based on this, we will develop practical services for SMEs: easy-to-use digital tools, training pathways, co-creation workshops and data management solutions — a real “data panel” dedicated to rural tourism — designed and tested together with local operators.
Alongside all the stakeholders involved in the project, we will co-develop a trans-Mediterranean strategy for the digitalisation of the sector, a digital maturity index for SMEs, adaptive training programmes, and we will launch the Cluster Atlas: a shared “home” of services where public and private actors can meet, collaborate and strengthen coherent and sustainable initiatives.
Who we work with and why you should join
CLUSTERATLAS4MED is aimed especially at SMEs, aspiring entrepreneurs and rural tourism operators, but also at local authorities, associations, training and research organisations, and all those committed to territorial development. Taking part means accessing practical tools to strengthen visibility and improve the quality of your offer, learning from international good practices, and testing digital solutions designed with and for those who will use them on the ground.
Over the three-year project, those who join and engage in the activities will benefit from real opportunities for training, networking and participation in pilot cases developed locally across all seven partner countries (Italy, Spain, Malta, Greece, Tunisia, Türkiye and Egypt).
In the coming months, we will begin collecting good practices and organising local meetings, workshops and pilot tests.
If you are a company or operator interested in taking part, keep an eye on the project website and partner channels to join activities, share experiences and apply for the training and development opportunities we will build together.
Last Update
17/12/2025
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