Apoio ao emprego e empreendedorismo

This opportunity aims to support projects that create new jobs, focusing on groups like young people, long-term unemployed, and those willing to move to less populated areas. Projects must be innovative in offering goods and services locally or regionally, ensuring the jobs created are sustainable. The selection process looks for projects that align with strategic goals, have a positive impact, are well executed, and promote sustainable development and equality.

Be promoted by micro or small enterprises, or individual entrepreneurs with organized accounting.

Be focused on the creation or expansion of a microenterprise.

Result in the creation of up to 3 new permanent full-time jobs.

Hire individuals who are unemployed or inactive, especially:

• Long-term unemployed
• Young people entering the labor market
• People relocating to low-density territories

Be carried out in the following NUTS III regions: Baixo Alentejo, Alentejo Central, Alto Alentejo, or Lezíria do Tejo.

Be physically implemented on-site (remote, hybrid, or virtual work formats are not allowed).

Examples of Admissible Projects

• Setting up a bike repair and rental shop in a rural tourism area, employing two local residents.
• Expanding a local bakery by opening a second location and hiring one baker and one service staff.
• Launching a mobile app development microenterprise, hiring two junior developers who are currently unemployed.
• Creating a cultural artisan goods brand, with workshop and storefront, employing one craftsperson and one logistics assistant.

• Personnel Costs – Salaries of new permanent, full-time employees created through the project.
• Investment Costs – Expenses related to the creation or expansion of the microenterprise (e.g., equipment, setup, physical infrastructure directly linked to the job creation).
• Training Costs – If applicable, training of the new hires associated with the funded positions.
• Operational Setup Costs – Expenditures required to start or expand business activities aligned with the supported jobs.
• Mandatory Accounting and Audit Costs – Services from certified accountants or official auditors for validating expenditure related to payment requests.
• Other Project-Specific Costs – Directly associated and justified expenses that are essential to the creation of the job positions under the support scheme.

Total budget for the grant: €3,000,000

Co-financing percentage: Up to 85% 

Maximum funding per company: 300,000€

Be a micro or small enterprise, or an individual entrepreneur (empresário em nome individual) with organized accounting.

Be legally established in mainland Portugal, and operate in one of the eligible NUTS III regions:

• Baixo Alentejo
• Alentejo Central
• Alto Alentejo
• Lezíria do Tejo

Be in a regular financial and tax situation, with no outstanding debts to the Tax Authority or Social Security.

Not be classified as a company in financial distress.