Business funding

As a rule, the Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY Centres) can grant business development aid for challenging development projects of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The aid can be granted for investments and other development activities. ‘Development activities’ means the development of a company’s business expertise, internationalisation, products, services, and production methods, the preparation of projects, and other comparable significant development of business activities.

The purpose of the granted aid is to encourage companies to engage in the long-term determined and goal-driven development and modernisation of business activities to seek growth and internationalisation, and share the risks arising for companies from development projects. Supporting companies’ growth and internationalisation improves regional employment and therefore vitality and attractiveness.

Application

An application must be submitted before starting a project. The aid can be applied for through the electronic EURA 2021 application system. Funding calls are published not only in EURA, but also under ‘Application periods’ on the rakennerahastot.fi website.

Advisory services and further information

Before you submit an application for aid, we recommend that you contact national advisory services for SME funding (tel. +358 295 024 800, Mon–Fri at 9 am – 3 pm). If required, you can also contact business specialists in Eastern Finland.

Presentation material for business development aid presentations:

Business funding for rural areas

Support for the development and investment needs of rural micro-enterprises can also be sought from the ELY Centres. The funding comes from the European agricultural fund for rural development. The funding terms are similar to the terms of support granted from the European Regional Development Fund or national assets.

Business Finland

The innovation funding organisation Business Finland grants funding for companies’ research, development and innovation activities. Business Finland’s funding can be applied for by companies, research organisations and providers of public services.