Deadline Date: June 12, 2026
The Internationalisation Strategy for SMEs scheme is inviting applications to support enterprises design strategies for expanding their operations into international markets.
The scheme focuses on supporting SMEs in developing internationalisation strategies that improve efficiency and competitiveness, strengthening entrepreneurship and smart economic transformation, promoting innovative and sustainable business growth, enhancing market access and global expansion opportunities, supporting market analysis and feasibility studies, and encouraging job creation and productive investment within SMEs under broader European policy objectives for a more competitive and connected economy.
The scheme provides non-repayable grants to part-finance external advisory services that help SMEs design and implement internationalisation strategies. These strategies are intended to improve business performance and support expansion into global markets.
The internationalisation strategy includes two main components. The first focuses on analysing global opportunities, market conditions, feasibility, and identifying suitable markets for expansion. The second focuses on country-specific planning, including market entry approaches, marketing and sales strategies, operational and financial planning, and risk assessment with monitoring and evaluation.
The programme aligns with European policy objectives aimed at strengthening SMEs through innovation, entrepreneurship, and smart economic transformation. It supports enterprises in becoming more competitive and better positioned in international markets.
The scheme will remain operational until 31 December 2026, subject to available funding, with an initial budget of €500,000. The maximum grant available under this scheme is €20,000 per undertaking.
Eligible applicants include micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises engaged in economic activity, provided they meet the required legal and registration conditions and demonstrate at least one year of active trading for certain application components.
For more information, visit FONDI.eu.
