PT2030: Competition for productive innovation in SMEs will open with 400 million

The first call for Productive Innovation in SMEs, within the scope of Portugal 2030, is expected to open between the end of this month and the beginning of April, aiming to respond to the more than 900 intentions with a potential investment of around 2,000 million euros submitted in the pre-registration of applications. In other words, it will prioritise the pre-registrations of investment projects submitted under the Requests for Aid Registration in this typology, which are still open until 31 March.

The call will have four application phases until the end of this year and will mobilise 400 million euros, financed by European funds through the Innovation and Digital Transition Programme and the Regional Programmes of the North, Centre, Lisbon, Alentejo, and Algarve.

This first programme is aimed at innovative projects supported by new products or new processes and has an allocation that represents an increase of 25% compared to the last Productive Innovation call of Portugal 2020.

General Regulation of Portugal 2030

The general regulation of Portugal 2030 has already been published (Decree-Law no. 20-A/2023), establishing the general regime for the application of Portugal 2030 European funds, namely regarding the applicable regulations, eligibility requirements, beneficiary obligations, and financing modalities and forms.

Some highlights:

1. Increase in maximum incentive rates by typology:
   - Qualification and Internationalisation – up to 50%
   - Productive Innovation – up to 75%
   - R&D – up to 80%

2. Broadening of investment eligibility in different types of incentives.

3. Compliance with mandatory targets within the scope of ESG – Environmental, Social, and Governance – right at the application stage.

Greater demand is to be expected in the evaluation and selection of the investment projects applied for; therefore, the bet on innovation, on the green and digital transition, and on the evolution of the export profile of our economy will be decisive in the approval of applications.

For all these reasons, it is essential that companies prepare and structure their investment projects in advance in order to maximise the probability of their application's approval and, thereby, leverage their growth and competitiveness.

Do you have an already structured investment project eligible for Productive Innovation? Schedule a conversation with our team of consultants.