Investimento Empresarial Produtivo para uma Transição Justa

The main goal of this opportunity is to support innovative business investments that help advance the value chain and promote economic diversification, modernization, and reconversion in the Alentejo Litoral region of Portugal. The focus is on strengthening new industries and technologically advanced services, especially those that facilitate climate and energy transition. This grant aims to address the social, employment, economic, and environmental impacts of the shift towards the EU’s 2030 energy and climate targets. It supports projects that contribute to a climate-neutral economy by 2050 within the specified geographic area.

• Projects must be submitted by micro, small, or medium-sized enterprises (PMEs) with organized accounting.
• They must be located within the NUTS III region of Alentejo Litoral.
• Investments should focus on innovative activities producing goods or services that are transactable and internationalizable, with high added value and national incorporation.
• Projects should involve the creation of a new establishment, increase the capacity of an existing establishment by at least 20%, or diversify production to new products with significant investment.
• Alignment with strategic domains such as Sustainable Bioeconomy, Sustainable Energy, or Tourism and Hospitality Services is required.
• Projects must achieve a minimum merit score and demonstrate financial and technical viability.

Examples:

• A small business setting up a new plant to manufacture eco-friendly building materials in Alentejo Litoral.
• A local company expanding its renewable energy equipment production line by more than 20% to serve international markets.
• A tourism service provider developing a new, high-tech hospitality offering that aligns with sustainable energy practices.

• Construction, remodeling, and other building works (up to 50% of total eligible expenses)
• Services from certified accountants or auditors for expense validation
• Engineering services and technical studies (up to 5% of total eligible expenses)
• Feasibility studies and strategic investment analysis
• Architectural and engineering project costs
• Specialized studies or reports for compliance with the "Do No Significant Harm" principle (up to €15,000)
• Acquisition of machinery and equipment
• Purchase of necessary software for equipment operation
• Acquisition of patents, licenses, and technical knowledge
• Purchase of specialized software

• Total budget of the grant: €10,000,000
• Co-financing rate: Up to 60% of eligible expenses
• Maximum per project: €25,000,000 
• Minimum per project: €300,000 
• Maximum project duration: 24 months

• Applicants must be micro, small, or medium-sized enterprises (PMEs) with organized accounting.
• Projects must be located in the Alentejo Litoral region (NUTS III).
• Investments must align with the RIS3 domains: Sustainable Bioeconomy, Sustainable Energy, or Tourism and Hospitality Services, associated with Agro-food and Renewable Energy sectors.
• Applicants must show financial capacity and commit to providing at least 25% of the planned equity capital by the first payment date.
• Projects must comply with the "Do No Significant Harm" principle.
• The eligible expenditure per project must be between €300,000 and €25 million.
• Expenses incurred before the application date, including feasibility studies, are not eligible.