Did you know that several supports for businesses are open in 2024, particularly from the Portugal 2030 and PRR programs? If you are considering internationalizing your activity, investing in innovation, or other actions, find out which measures will be available in the coming months.
In May 2024, the Annual Notice Plan of Portugal 2030 was announced until April 2025. The new plan includes 459 notices to be opened over 11 months, with a budget of 4,500 million euros. In a statement, the government mentions that “in the next three months, 253 notices will be launched, with a budget of 2,500 million euros available, distributed across various policy objectives and regions of the country, in the social, economic, environmental, maritime, and territorial areas”.
Therefore, if you intend to invest in actions related to expansion into new markets, innovative activities, or other types, there will be plenty of opportunities throughout 2024. For now, we provide a summary of those recently announced under Productive Innovation, Business R&D, R&D Internationalization, and SME Internationalization.
In addition to PT2030, the PRR – Recovery and Resilience Plan is in execution until 2026. Implemented following the economic impacts of the pandemic, the program aims to implement structural investments in three areas: resilience, climate transition, and digital transition. The national PRR resources amount to approximately 13.9 billion in grants (84%) and 2.7 billion euros (16%).
Disclaimer: PONTUAL is a technology consultancy that provides IT consulting and management software services. The purpose of this article is solely to disclose the main measures that companies can apply for under the Portugal2030 and PRR programs, as the preparation of applications for European funds is not part of our services.
Notices and Incentives to Boost Business Investment in 2024
Portugal2030
Business R – Individual Operations
Global Allocation: 32 million euros
Maximum Incentive Rate: 80%
Application Deadline: From November 2023 to December 2024 (four phases)
About the Measure:
The measure is aimed at SMEs in the North, Center, Lisbon, Alentejo, and Algarve regions that engage in industrial research and/or experimental development activities leading to the creation of new products, processes, or systems or the introduction of significant improvements in existing products, processes, or systems.
Business R – Co-promotion Operations
Global Allocation: 46.2 million euros
Maximum Incentive Rate: 80%
Application Deadline: From November 2023 to December 2024 (four phases)
About the Measure:
Like the previous measure, it is aimed at SMEs in the North, South, Center, Lisbon, Alentejo, and Algarve regions and projects in the field of industrial research and/or experimental development, leading to the creation of new products, processes, or systems or the introduction of significant improvements in existing products, processes, or systems. The difference is that this support is intended for co-promotion operations, i.e., partnerships made between companies or with non-business entities.
R Internationalization – Industrial R Operations on a European Scale
Global Allocation: 39.3 million euros
Maximum Incentive Rate: 80%
Application Deadline: From October 2023 to September 2024 (four phases)
About the Measure:
Intended for all NUTS II regions of the Continent (North, Center, Lisbon, Alentejo, and Algarve), this PT2030 support is aimed at both individual and co-promotion operations that aim to promote national co-financing to Portuguese entities participating in European R projects, with co-financing exclusively provided by national sources.
SICE – SME Internationalization – Individual Operations
Global Allocation: 32 million euros
Maximum Co-financing Rate: 50%
Application Deadline: From June 2024 to December 2024
About the Measure:
Scheduled to open in June 2024, this measure aims to promote the internationalization of SMEs, allowing them to enhance their export base and capacity and international recognition through the implementation of promotion and marketing actions, their
presence in international fairs, and knowledge and access to new markets.
Thus, actions classified for this support include:
- Knowledge, prospecting, and presence in foreign markets;
- International marketing;
- Online presence and e-commerce;
- Creation and international promotion of brands;
- Organizational innovation related to commercial practices or external relations;
- Quality and specific certification for foreign markets.
SICE – Productive Innovation – Individual Operations (RCI)
Maximum Incentive Rate: Negotiable (maximum rate established in Article 24 of the REITD).
Application Deadline: November 2023 to December 31, 2024
About the Measure:
Aimed at supporting companies with innovative activities that result in the production of high value-added tradable goods and services with internationalizable potential and national incorporation. These are some of the actions contemplated:
- Creation of a new establishment
- Increase in the capacity of an existing establishment
- Diversification of the production of an establishment to items not previously produced at the establishment
- Fundamental change in the overall production process of an existing establishment
SICE – SME Qualification – Individual Operations
Global Allocation: 18 million euros
Maximum Co-financing Rate: 50%
Application Deadline: June 7, 2024, to January 30, 2025
About the Measure:
If you are looking for support that allows you to invest in the qualification and digitalization of your business, with solutions like those offered by PONTUAL – management software, logistics software, CRM or Cybersecurity, among others, then this measure is for you.
SICE – SME Qualification is aimed at micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises throughout the national territory (except islands) that seek to invest in digital transformation solutions through “intangible competitiveness factors”, such as the following:
- Organizational innovation, management, and logistics: introduction of new methods or new work organization philosophies, strengthening management capabilities, introduction of information systems applied to new distribution and logistics methods, studies and projects, redesign and layout improvements, benchmarking actions, diagnosis and planning, excluding changes based on organization methods already used in the company;
- Digitalization and digital transformation, including cybersecurity and data protection: Creation and/or adaptation of business models through the adoption of digital practices to improve processes through process automation (BPM – business process management), investment in artificial intelligence (AI) applications to predict trends or personalize offers, in tools and techniques to collect, process, and analyze large volumes of data (data analytics), in digital transformation (CRM; Chatbots and virtual assistants) and in tools and practices to ensure data security and solutions to detect and respond to cyber threats;
- Creation of brands and design
- Capacity building for the development of products, services, and processes
- Intellectual property protection
- Quality and certification
- Knowledge and technology transfer
- Sustainability and eco-innovation
These are just some of the notices expected in the coming weeks (and some already open) under PT2030. For more information and access to notice updates, visit the Portugal2030 program website. Applications for these supports must be submitted through the Funds Portal. Find more information on the ePortugal portal about how to register on the Funds Portal.
Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR)
The Digital Transition area of the PRR includes a set of reforms and investments for the digitalization of private and public entities. The C16 – Companies 4.0 component of the PRR aims to recover the delay in the digital transition process, allowing access to knowledge and digital technological means that promote the modernization of work and production processes, the dematerialization of workflows, and the mitigation of skill deficits in the use of digital technologies, among others.
Visit the Recover Portugal website for detailed access to the measures included in the C16 – Companies 4.0 component of the PRR.
Coaching 4.0
Beneficiaries: SMEs
Financing: Maximum investment of 10,000 euros with 75% non-repayable funding.
Managed by IAPMEI, the Coaching 4.0 measure of the PRR aims to support the digital transformation of businesses through vouchers that encourage the integration of technology in companies. The applications are open and these are the eligible expenses:
- Social media management and ad management;
- Digital marketing plan;
- Content creation and SEO optimization;
- Email Marketing and Automation;
- Consulting and development of Digital Maturity;
- Acquisition of new software for internal implementation.
Startup Voucher
Global Allocation: 90 million euros
Beneficiaries: SMEs based in Portugal with less than 10 years
Financing: 30,000 euros per beneficiary
Co-financed by the PRR and the European Union, the Vouchers for Startups – New Green and Digital Products measure aims to support startups that have or want to develop digital, scalable business models, products, or services with a green component.
Eligible expenses include:
- Human Resources costs;
- Expenses with accreditation or technological certification of Human Resources;
- Acquisition of Specialized External Services (digitalization of business processes, marketing services, etc.);
- Acquisition or operational leasing of equipment, licensing or software subscription costs;
- Costs with the protection/valorization of intellectual property rights;
- Indirect costs.
Requirements to Consider before Submitting an Application to PT2030
Are you interested in any PT2030 support and considering submitting an application? There are some aspects you should consider:
- Access requirements: present a strategic analysis that supports the investment;
- Company eligibility requirements: have a balanced economic and financial situation; possess and ensure the technical, physical, and financial means and human resources necessary for the development of the operation until the application is approved and have the situation regularized with Social Security, the Tax and Customs Authority, and European Structural and Investment Funds;
- Project eligibility requirements: demonstrate the economic-financial viability of the project; the incentive effect with the execution of the project and that the sources of financing are secured.
For more information, consult Article 14 of Decree-Law No. 20-A/2023. The information provided here does not replace consulting specialized entities in applications for European Funds and the applicable legislation.
Overall, Portugal 2030 has 23 billion euros available until 2029, distributed among support programs for regions, demography, qualifications and inclusion, innovation and digital transition, climate action and sustainability, and the sea. If your company is considering investing in one of these areas, here may be the support you need to boost results and ensure the capacity and sustainability of your business in the future.
PONTUAL is the technology consultancy that believes in the modernization of the Portuguese business fabric and, as such, supports companies with differentiating technological solutions that accelerate results. Through our partner Lendarius, we also support businesses that want to invest in creating digital communication and online sales channels.
We are always ready to help you! Contact us and stay informed about the possibilities we have for you and your business.
