2025 CALL FOR APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN FOR GRANTS SUPPORTING PRODUCTIVE INVESTMENT PROJECTS IN CATALONIA

IMPULSO is pleased to inform you that the DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS AND LABOUR OF THE GOVERNMENT OF CATALONIA has just published the 2025 Call for Applications for the GRANT SCHEME SUPPORTING PRODUCTIVE INVESTMENT PROJECTS IN CATALONIA of the Department of Business and Labour of the Government of Catalonia.

This call represents an excellent opportunity to finance your investments in civil works, machinery, and facilities, as it offers a maximum grant intensity of 20% of your productive investment on a non-repayable basis, up to a cap of €0.5M. The budget allocated for this year amounts to €35.5M.

This objective is pursued with the aim of improving efficiency, increasing production capacity, and enabling the development of new products adapted to changing market needs, all under criteria of digitalization, sustainability, and resource optimization.

Below, we summarize the main features of this grant scheme:

BENEFICIARIES

Industrial companies with Catalan Classification of Economic Activities (CCAE) code 10 and 11 and from 13 to 32, inclusive, that have an operational headquarters in Catalonia, or are newly established in Catalonia.

The CCAE code must appear in the bylaws of the beneficiary company prior to the publication date of the call, or at the time of incorporation in the case of a newly established company.

Beneficiaries must comply with the Late Payment Act, and must prove that at least 90% of their invoices are paid within 60 days.

PROJECT TYPES

Industrial investment projects for:

• Creation of new production plants.

• Upgrading of existing facilities.

• Implementation of new production processes.

The project must fall under one of the following EU State Aid regulatory frameworks:

• De minimis Regulation

• Article 14 of the GBER (assisted areas)

• Article 17 of the GBER (SMEs)

PROJECT REQUIREMENTS

• Investment implementation period: from 02/01/2025 to 12/09/2026 for de minimis aid. From the date of application to 12/09/2026 for assisted areas and SMEs.
• It must be demonstrated that at least 50% of the project’s financing has already been secured, through own resources, formalized bank financing, or third-party capital contributions.
• Investments must meet the criteria of digitalization of the production process, as well as sustainability and optimization of the resources used in manufacturing.
• The working conditions associated with the project must comply, at a minimum, with the sectoral collective bargaining agreement applicable to the subsidized activity.
• The minimum eligible investment is €100,000 for SMEs, and €1,000,000 for large companies.
• It is essential that these projects simultaneously involve the maintenance and/or net increase of jobs.

ELIGIBLE COSTS

• Production machinery and equipment: machinery used directly in production processes, as well as components integrated into production lines.
• Production process engineering: Engineering costs directly related to the machinery or equipment acquired. There must be a clear and justified documentary link to these investments.
• Software associated with productive investments: software strictly linked to the subsidized machinery or production lines. Software that is not directly tied to the machinery or production process that is the subject of the subsidized project will not be eligible for funding.
• Facilities and civil works: works and facilities strictly necessary for the commissioning of the machinery or new production processes, up to a maximum limit of 20% of the machinery investment amount.

The cost of machinery must account for at least 60% of the total eligible project cost.

Financial expenses, indirect taxes (VAT), real estate acquisition, costs incurred prior to the subsidized action, training, transportation, per diems, or administrative management of the application are not eligible for funding.

TYPE AND INTENSITY OF AID

The aid consists of a non-repayable grant of up to 20% of the eligible investment, with a maximum of €500,000 (€300,000 in the case of de minimis aid).

GUARANTEES AND PAYMENT OF THE GRANT

Payment of the grant is made via advance payment of 100% of the amount awarded, following approval. The submission of a financial guarantee (bank guarantee) is required, for an amount equivalent to 50% of the advance payment.

SUBMISSION DEADLINE

From 9:00 AM on 03/13/2025 until 2:00 PM on May 15, 2025.

13/03/2025