Business development and innovation - Ministerstwo Funduszy i Polityki Regionalnej

Programme name

Business development and innovation

Programme objective

Strengthening the competitiveness of Polish enterprises, primarily through support in the development and implementation of innovative technologies, solutions, processes, products and services

Programme Area

Innovations in the area of green technologies
Innovations in the area of blue technologies (for marine and inland waters)
Welfare technologies (improving the quality of life)
Development of innovativeness of enterprises managed by women (Small Grants Scheme)

Programme budget

EUR 100 million, including:

EUR 85 million from the Norwegian Financial Mechanism
EUR 15 million – national contribution

Programme Operator

Polish Agency for Enterprise Development (PARP)

Donor Programme Partners*

Innovation Norway / Innovasjon Norge

*The only Donor State of the Norway Grants – financing the Programme – is Norway.

Eligible Beneficiaries

micro-companies
small companies
medium companies

Project funding

Grant amount

from EUR 200,000 to EUR 1 million – under the scheme for eco-friendly innovations
from EUR 200,000 to EUR 2 million – under the scheme for blue and welfare technologies
from EUR 12,000 to EUR 200,000 – under small grants for female entrepreneurs

Project funding level

from 20% to 100%

The funding level depends on the type of public aid granted.

Partnership at the project level with institutions from Norway

It is not required, however, additional points are awarded for submitting the project in partnership with entities from the Donor State.

Method of selecting projects

I. Calls for proposals

One call for proposals under four grant schemes

Subjects of the schemes

1. Environmentally friendly technologies

The objective of the scheme is to increase the competitiveness of entrepreneurs using eco-friendly technological solutions through actions leading to the implementation of innovative processes, products, services or solutions in the enterprise. The above are aimed at developing the entrepreneur's business, including an increase in revenues, profit or employment, while also contributing to better waste management, energy efficiency, reduced emissions and efficient material management.

2. Innovations in the area of inland and sea waters

The objective of the scheme is to increase the competitiveness of entrepreneurs operating in the area of inland waters, sea waters or their close surroundings, through activities leading to the implementation of innovative processes, products, services or solutions in the enterprise. The above are intended to develop the entrepreneur's business, including an increase in income, profit or employment. Projects under this scheme they can simultaneously contribute to reducing pollution of waters and their surroundings.

3. Technologies improving the quality of life

The objective of the scheme is to increase the competitiveness of entrepreneurs through activities leading to the development and marketing of new or significantly improved products or services based on modern technologies. These are intended to improve the quality of life of the most vulnerable sections of society, and in particular to respond to the needs and improve the quality of life of older people. At the same time, projects must contribute to the increase of revenues, profit or employment in the enterprise.

4. Scheme of small grants for enterprising women

The objective of the scheme is to increase the competitiveness of entrepreneurs by developing or developing and implementing innovations in one of three areas: environmentally friendly technologies, innovations in the area of inland or marine waters, or welfare technologies (improving the quality of life). Projects under this scheme may simultaneously contribute to the increase of entrepreneurial knowledge, skills or competences necessary to maintain and develop business activities.

Schedule of calls for proposals under the EEA and Norway Grants 2014-2021

All calls for proposals have been launched and closed (as of October 2022).

Current schedule

Detailed information about the call for proposals under the Programme

Programme Operator’s website (PARP)

II. Pre-defined projects

Not applicable

More information

Events

1. Signing the agreement on the “Business development and innovation” Programme during the conference launching the 3rd edition of the EEA and Norway Grants 2014-2021 in Poland (September 12, 2019):

2. Conference launching the "Business development and innovation" Programme (October 30, 2019):