GLOBAL COMMUNITY TOURISM FUND
A fund that provides small grants and mentorship to community tourism enterprises (CTEs) to accelerate growth and impact through new or improved quality of tourism experiences.
About the Fund
The Global Community Tourism Fund is an initiative of Planeterra that seeks to promote entrepreneurship and innovation for community tourism enterprises (CTEs) within the Global Community Tourism Network, creating the ability for enterprises to scale up and improve existing tourism experiences with high growth and impact potential.
The Global Community Tourism Fund provides small grants and mentorship in the following areas:
- Creation of new experiences within existing enterprises based on market demand
- Improvements to existing experiences based on market demand
- Investment in the infrastructure needed to improve the quality or safety of tourism experiences
- Marketing initiatives based on demand
- Necessary training or professional development for staff
- Creation of nature-positive solutions and/or experiences (for example an addition of a restoration program, nature-based walking tour, etc.).
The application period for the Global Community Tourism Fund 2025 is now open! The deadline to apply is April 30 at 23:59 EST.
➡️Interested in applying? Keep reading or click here to learn more.
Who can apply?
To apply for the GCT Fund, community tourism enterprises must:
- Be an approved member of the Global Community Tourism Network.
- Be an active member of the Planeterra Learning Hub platform.
- Have been an Impact Partner of the Global Community Tourism Network for at least 30 days at the time of application
- Have proven tourism potential, having hosted travellers in the past.
- Be legally established with an organizational bank account to receive the funds.
- Have the ability to track and manage financial reports, or show a willingness to learn.
- Actively participate in the Global Community Tourism Network activities.
Not yet a member of the Global Community Tourism Network? Join here.
The Fund will prioritize projects that:
- Have a proven ability to scale profits and impact
- Provide a product or service differentiated from local competitors
- Have a responsible value chain (supply chain)
- Are innovative and are based on existing research and/or proven models
- Work to solve at least one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
What type of activities can be funded?
- Consulting, advisory and specialized technical services focused on enterprise growth, including training and capacity building.
- Market studies, focus groups and other studies to validate the model of business and inform future growth.
- Improvement of tourism facilities that increase functionalities or expansion of the enterprise.
- Equipment to improve tourism services.
*The application period for the Global Community Tourism Fund 2025 is now open!The deadline to apply is April 30 at 23:59 EST.
Meet the previous recipients of the Fund
Asociación de Turismo Rural Solidario (ASTURS), Perú
Red de Turismo Comunitario Jipijapa Wankavilka (RTCJW), Ecuador
Red Rocks Intercultural Exchange Center, Rwanda
Osmose, Cambodia
The Cove, Malawi
Lavender Jeep, Cambodia
Girls Empowered by Travel, Nepal
Centro de Turismo Comunitario La Moya, Ecuador
Asociación de Artesanas de Chorrera, Colombia
Co-op de Agroturismo Red de Turismo Campesino, Argentina
Asoc. de Mujeres María del Mar Bocagrande, Colombia
Soc. de Turismo Comunitario Suni Uta Choquemarca, Bolivia
Asoc. Turismo Rural Comunitario Kusi Kausay, Peru
Jamao Eco Tours, Dominican Republic
San Vicente Ecoturismo, Mexico
Tribal Textiles, Zambia
Train & Travel with Women For Africa, Côte d’Ivoire
Muhabura Cultural Experience and Craft Centre, Uganda
Red Rocks, Rwanda
SPOONS Cafe Restaurant, Cambodia
Barauli Community Homestay, Nepal
North Andaman Network Foundation, Thailand
Tenacious Bee Collective (TBC), India
Odisha Ecotourism Foundation, India
Sharing Seeds, Nepal
Ruboni Community Development and Conservation, Uganda
Gabon EcoSafaris, Gabon
Tours And Arts Solutions, Ghana
Upcycle Impact Tours, Uganda
Muhabura cultural experience and craft Centre, Uganda
Funtasia for Training, Egypt
Domari Society of Gypsies in Jerusalem, Israel
çöp(m)adam, Türkiye
Viaggi Solidali, Italy
Amupakin, Ecuador
Asociación Stibrawpa, Costa Rica
Asociación Circuito Ecoturístico Lomas de Paraíso, Peru
Cabañas el Llano de las Papas, Mexico
Muhaan, India
Panauti Bike Station, Nepal
Invest in the future of community tourism
Support the growth of the Global Community Tourism Fund and help Planeterra continue to break down barriers for local entrepreneurs and communities worldwide.
