Sekem Development Foundation Brings to Life Rural Sustainable Tourism in Egypt by taking part
in CLUSTERATLAS4MED Project
The three-year project, CLUSTER for a data driven ruraL sustAinable tourism for mediterranean,aims to empower SMEs in rural areas operating in sustainable tourism in Egypt.
In collaboration with 7 partners in the mediterranean area and backed by 6 associated partners from across 7 countries, the EU funded project will focus on the digitization and use of data as atool to foster the development of new businesses, as well as the promotion of new professionalopportunities in sustainable rural tourism.
Partners
EXO Soc. Cons. a r.l. – coordinator
ITS – Institute of Tourism, Malta
AnySolution – Spain
Corallia – Greece
SEKEM Development Foundation – Egypt
EXACT Business – Egypt
Cap Bon Chamber of Commerce – Tunisia
Izmir Governorship – Turkey
Associated Partners
Izmir Ticaret Odasi – Turkey
Tramuntana Region – Malta
Basilicata Region – Italy
New Metropolitan Attica S.A. – Greece
The Academy for Scientific Research and Technology – Egypt
Official Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Services and Navigation of Mallorca – Egypt
About the project
The project, co-funded by the European Union and in cooperation with Interreg NEXT MED Programme, is an innovative approach aimed at strengthening the competitiveness and digitalization of SMEs operating in the rural tourism field. The main project focus is empowering rural sustainable tourism through digitalization and providing SMEs in the industry with the tools needed for their development. The Mediterranean Metacluster will also support the promotion and growth of these businesses. The project has a total cost of €1,748,488. The European Union iscovering a significant 89% of this cost, amounting to €1,556,154. The EU fund, Interreg NEXT MED Programme support and the collaboration of partners across the Mediterranean region, highlights everyone’s commitment to advancing sustainability practices
in rural areas, sustainable tourism globally, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Call for First Level Controller
The CLUSTERATLAS4MED project is looking for an independent First Level Controller (FLC) to ensure full compliance with Interreg NEXT MED Programme rules. The FLC will verify all expenditures declared by SDF, checking eligibility, documentation, and alignment with EU and national standards. Responsibilities include financial, administrative, and procurement checks and preparing six verification reports over the 36-month project. This role is vital for transparency, accountability, and effective project implementation.
Learn more about the position requirements here
Submit your application to [email protected] with the subject line: “First Level Controller”.
Submission deadline: 9th April 2026, 14:00 CET
Shaping the Future of Rural Tourism in Egypt
As part of the CLUSTERATLAS4MED project activities, SEKEM Development Foundation, in collaboration with Exact Business, recently hosted a key stakeholders meeting to advance rural tourism in Egypt.
The meeting marked an important milestone: taking an important step in bringing Egypt’s Rural Living Lab into action where entrepreneurs, experts, and partners test solutions in practical settings, ensuring they are scalable, effective, and impactful for local communities.
Co-Funded by the European Union within the Interreg NEXT MED Programme, CLUSTERATLAS4MED connects partners across Egypt, Italy, Spain, Greece, Tunisia, andTurkey. The project works towards strengthening rural tourism by promoting digitalization, fostering innovation, and supporting data-driven approaches. Through training, support services, and collaboration, it helps startups and SMEs rural touristic destinations become more resilient and sustainable.
Co-Creating the Future
The session moved beyond dialogue into active co-creation, with stakeholders across diverse sectors addressing a vital question: “What is needed to build an impactful Rural Living Lab in Egypt?”
The insights gathered highlighted the essential pillars for our upcoming roadmap:
- Field Research & Stakeholder Engagement: Listening to owners of local startups and SMEs, researching the rural tourism sector for data collection, and gathering on-ground insights for informed decision making.
- Digital Infrastructure: Equipping rural areas with the technology needed to thrive in a global market.
- Capacity Building: Providing tailored training to empower entrepreneurs with innovation and management skills.
A Sustainable and Connected Rural Tourism Ecosystem
The Living Lab approach is central to the project’s methodology, allowing ideas to be tested, refined, and scaled within real-life environments. This hands-on model ensures that innovation is grounded in local realities while benefiting from international knowledge exchange.
Through the activation of Egypt’s Rural Living Lab, the initiative is laying the foundation for a more connected, resilient, and inclusive rural tourism sector, one that not only enhances visitor experiences but also empowers local communities and supports sustainable development across the country.