Incubadoras de empresas de base não tecnológica - Algarve

The main goal of this opportunity is to support the improvement, expansion, or creation of local business incubators, social incubators, and coworking spaces in the Algarve region. It aims to boost the competitiveness and growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by providing high-quality infrastructure and support environments. The focus is on key areas such as tourism, health and longevity, local resources, environmental sustainability, digitalization, and information and communication technologies (ICT). Funding is available for projects located in the NUTS II Algarve region of Portugal.

• Projects must focus on qualifying, expanding, or creating local business incubators, social incubators, or coworking spaces.
• Applicants must be public or private non-profit organizations with experience in promoting competitiveness and managing infrastructures.
• Projects must align with the priorities set by EREI Algarve (tourism, health, sustainability, digitalization, etc.).
• Economic rationality and financial sustainability must be demonstrated.
• The maximum project execution period is 36 months.
• Infrastructures must be offered to users in an open, transparent, and non-discriminatory way.

Examples:

• A municipality develops a new coworking space focused on digital startups, offering shared offices and digital infrastructure.
• An association of municipalities expands an existing incubator to support businesses in health and longevity sectors.
• A non-profit organization renovates a building to create a social incubator for projects related to environmental sustainability.

• Construction or adaptation of physical infrastructures
• Acquisition of studies and project designs (architecture, specialties)
• Supervision services directly related to construction works
• Purchase of equipment necessary for the infrastructure
• Acquisition of information systems and communication technologies
• Purchase of specialized goods essential for the infrastructure
• Acquisition of specialized services required for effective functioning

Restrictions: Expenses such as recoverable VAT, in-kind contributions, operational and maintenance costs, and unspecified intangible expenses are not eligible.

• Total budget of the grant: €5,000,000
• Co-financing rate: 50%, with a possible bonus up to 80% for exceeding targets
• Maximum value per project: €300,000
• Maximum project duration: 36 months

• Applicants must be public or private non-profit entities with relevant experience (including municipalities, municipal companies, associations of municipalities, and other organizations).
• Applicants must be located in the NUTS II Algarve region.
• Applicants must be economically and financially stable, with no salary arrears during the project period.
• Compliance with technical and environmental standards, including climate change resilience and the "Do No Significant Harm" principle, is required.
• Projects must not be completed before application and must include detailed technical and financial planning.
• Infrastructure must be accessible to users in an open and non-discriminatory manner.
• Projects must align with regional priorities in areas such as tourism, health, sustainability, and digitalization.
• Applicants must show adequate internal resources and organized accounting aligned with the project’s objectives.
• Additional conditions may apply, including ensuring project sustainability and compliance with state aid rules if relevant.