Provincial support measures for tourism coordinated by VLAIO and provincial authorities in Limburg, East Flanders, Flemish Brabant, and West Flanders.
Funding amounts vary per subsidy and province, e.g., up to €20,000 for Limburg lodging investments, up to €110,000 for Leisurefonds execution phase, and up to €10,000 for small-scale lodging and bicycle cafés.
Grant durations vary; some have biannual application rounds, others allow continuous applications.
Support and strengthen the tourism sector at the provincial level by enhancing lodging comfort and experience, fostering innovation, promoting events, and encouraging sustainability.
Tourism enterprises and organizations including tourist accommodations, small-scale lodging, bicycle cafés, event organizers, and businesses pursuing sustainability certifications.
Provincial initiatives complement regional and national tourism support, tailored to local needs and priorities.
Public funding from provincial governments, administered via VLAIO and provincial tourism departments.
Important for local tourism development, innovation, and sustainability efforts, filling gaps not covered by national or EU programs.
Recurring with multiple application rounds per year for some subsidies (e.g., Limburg lodging investments and Leisurefonds), continuous application for others (e.g., small-scale lodging and bicycle cafés).
Enterprises and organizations involved in tourism activities.
Specific eligibility varies by subsidy: e.g., tourist accommodations recognized by Toerisme Vlaanderen or Toerisme Limburg, private legal entities organizing events, small-scale lodging and bicycle cafés with specific labels or plans.
Recognition or permit by Toerisme Vlaanderen or Toerisme Limburg for lodging.
Possession of a growth plan or opportunity plan from a professionalization trajectory for small-scale lodging and bicycle cafés.
Fietslabel (bicycle label) for bicycle cafés.
Green Key label for sustainability subsidies.
Not explicitly specified; includes small-scale and larger enterprises.
Projects and organizations must be located in the respective provinces: Limburg, East Flanders, Flemish Brabant, or West Flanders.
For some subsidies, a professionalization trajectory and growth or opportunity plans are required.
Event organizers must have legal personality and demonstrate event quality.
Leisurefonds execution phase requires a consortium of at least two organizations with a signed cooperation agreement.
Private legal entities allowed; for event subsidies, profit motives must not harm event quality.
Not explicitly mentioned.
No explicit mention, but some subsidies limit consecutive years of support (e.g., event subsidies up to three consecutive editions).
Not explicitly specified.
Enhancement of lodging comfort and guest experience.
Strengthening entrepreneurial competencies in small-scale lodging and bicycle cafés.
Innovation in tourism products, services, and processes.
Organization and promotion of tourist events.
Sustainability and environmental responsibility via Green Key certification.
Tourism accommodations, hospitality, event management, sustainability in tourism.
Tourist accommodation providers, small-scale lodging operators, bicycle café owners, event organizers, and businesses pursuing sustainable certifications.
Projects must be located and implemented within the respective provinces.
Event subsidies exclude non-touristic events, events without organizer legal personality, events held more than once per year, parts of larger events, and primarily competitive events.
Promotion subsidies exclude sport events and events already receiving provincial project subsidies.
Improved lodging quality and guest experience.
Enhanced entrepreneurial skills and business plans.
Successful innovative tourism products and services.
Well-organized and promoted tourist events attracting visitors.
Achievement and maintenance of sustainability certifications.
Projects must align with provincial tourism development goals, innovation, and sustainability.
Social and economic impact through increased tourism attractiveness and business resilience.
Environmental impact via sustainability efforts.
From small-scale lodging improvements to large innovative projects and event organization.
Explicitly promoted via Green Key label subsidies and innovation projects.
Not explicitly detailed; innovation projects require business plan development and execution capabilities.
Projects must be located in the respective provinces and comply with relevant lodging decrees where applicable.
For Leisurefonds execution phase, consortium of at least two organizations with formal cooperation.
Not specified.
Event quality must not be harmed by profit motives.
Sustainability standards required for Green Key label.
Standard application forms and supporting documents including business plans, growth plans, opportunity plans, and de-minimis declarations.
Not explicitly mentioned.
Not specified.
Not specified.
Leisurefonds execution phase requires formalized partnerships.
Data protection policies apply as per provincial regulations.
Compliance with lodging decrees and sustainability certification standards.
Lodging investment subsidies up to €20,000 per project.
Small-scale lodging and bicycle cafés up to €10,000 per application.
Leisurefonds business plan support up to €15,000; execution support up to €110,000.
Event subsidies vary from €2,500 to over €10,000.
Green Key subsidies up to €750 per year per lodging or business.
Costs must be approved by deputation; specific eligible costs vary by subsidy.
Promotion subsidies cover actual costs excluding VAT.
Small-scale lodging and bicycle cafés subsidy covers up to 75% of eligible costs.
Leisurefonds execution phase covers up to 70% of eligible costs.
Promotion subsidies cover up to 50% of costs.
Applicants must cover remaining eligible costs not funded by subsidy.
Subsidies are paid after approval and upon meeting conditions such as obtaining labels or completing projects.
Applicants must provide financial documentation and cost evidence.
Provinces reserve the right to audit subsidy use.
Not explicitly stated.
Applicants bear part of the costs according to funding rates.
Not specified.
Not specified.
Not specified.
Limburg lodging investments: twice yearly, deadlines 30 April and 31 October.
Small-scale lodging and bicycle cafés: continuous application.
Leisurefonds business plan support: deadlines 30 March and 30 September.
Leisurefonds execution support: within 6 months after approved business plan, deadlines 30 March and 30 September.
East Flanders event subsidies: deadline 14 September of year prior to event.
Vlaams-Brabant Green Key subsidy: until 31 December 2027.
Not explicitly specified; project durations vary by subsidy.
Leisurefonds execution phase must be applied for within 6 months after business plan approval.
Not explicitly detailed.
Business plan completion, project execution, label attainment, event organization.
Provinces may monitor and audit subsidy use.
Leisurefonds has two phases: business plan development and execution.
Not specified.
Submission of business plans, growth plans, or opportunity plans required.
Not specified.
Not specified.
Compliance with lodging decrees and provincial regulations required.
Tourist accommodations must be licensed or recognized by Toerisme Vlaanderen or Toerisme Limburg.
Personal data handled according to provincial privacy policies.
Sustainability efforts encouraged, especially for Green Key label.
Event organizers’ profit motives must not harm event quality.
Not specified.
Compliance with tourism sector standards.
Not specified.
Not specified.
Financial and project reporting required.
Not specified.
Applicants must comply with applicable legal frameworks.
Standard application forms, business plans, growth or opportunity plans, de-minimis declarations, financial documentation, and proof of certifications or labels.
Submission via email or online portals as specified per province and subsidy.
Some subsidies require jury or committee evaluation.
Projects assessed by jury or provincial committees based on quality, innovation, and alignment with objectives.
Evaluation occurs after submission deadlines; timelines vary by subsidy.
Focus on innovation, sustainability, quality, and economic impact.
Optional project assessment by consultants for some subsidies.
Mostly electronic submission via email or designated portals.
Detailed project descriptions, financial plans, cooperation agreements for consortia.
Not specified.
Consultants and provincial staff available for guidance.
Not specified.
De-minimis regulation applies to some subsidies limiting total aid to €300,000 over three years.
Leisurefonds supports innovation in two phases.
Green Key subsidies promote environmental sustainability.
Subsidy amounts and rates vary; some require matching funds.
Event subsidies limited to three consecutive editions.
Alignment with provincial tourism development and sustainability strategies.
Innovative and sustainable projects favored.
Sustainability, innovation, and professionalization.
Leisurefonds explicitly supports innovative products, services, and processes.
Not specified.
Not specified.
Support for events and lodging enhancing regional tourism identity.
Not specified.
Tourism accommodations, small-scale lodging, bicycle cafés, event organizers, and innovative tourism businesses.
Not specified.
Varies from small subsidies (€750) to larger investments (€110,000).
Event subsidies limited to three consecutive editions.
Focused on provincial level within Flanders.
Tourism and hospitality sectors.
Innovation and sustainability.
Not specified.
Not specified.
Not specified.