Portugal launches €3.5 million funding programme for small businesses

The Alentejo 2030 programme is offering financial support to small and medium-sized businesses hiring highly qualified professionals, with applications open until March 2027.

By Sidsel Senius , in News, Business · 12 Oct 2026, 15:33 · 0 Comments

Credits: envato elements; Author: nuttapong_mohock;

The Alentejo 2030 programme has opened two calls for proposals today with a total budget of 3.525 million euros. The programme supports micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the region in hiring highly qualified professionals.

In a statement, the Alentejo Regional Coordination and Development Commission (CCDR) explained that one of the two calls for proposals is aimed at SMEs located in low-density areas of the region and has a budget of 2.125 million euros, Executive Digest reports.

The second grant is intended for SMEs located in areas of the Alentejo region that are not classified as low-density and has a budget of 1.4 million euros, the commission added.

EU funding

According to the CCDR of Alentejo, the support measures provide a total allocation of 3.525 million euros, co-financed by the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) at the maximum rate of 50 percent.

“These subsidies are intended for SMEs in the Alentejo region that wish to strengthen their innovation capacity through the hiring of highly qualified human resources, contributing to the valorisation of knowledge, technology transfer, digital and energy transition, and increased business competitiveness.”

Supporting innovation

The organisation said that funding is available to companies operating in sectors covered by the Alentejo Regional Smart Specialisation Strategy to hire qualified professionals, including graduates, master’s degree holders, PhD holders and postdoctoral researchers.

“Through these announcements, Alentejo 2030 aims to promote skilled employment, strengthen the link between companies and the regional scientific and technological system, stimulate innovation, and create conditions for sustainable and quality jobs.”

According to the Alentejo Regional Coordination and Development Commission (CCDR-AL), this support “also contributes to increasing the presence of highly qualified human resources in the region’s business sector and to accelerating organisational and technological modernisation processes.”

Applications must be submitted by 6 pm on 31 March 2027.