PRESENTATION
The Veneto Region has allocated €3 million to support women-led small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating in crafts, industry, commerce, services, and professional activities run by women. Eligible businesses include sole proprietorships, partnerships, or corporations that meet specific requirements.
ELIGIBLE BENEFICIARIES
The incentives are reserved for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) active in the sectors of crafts, industry, commerce, and services that fall into one of the following categories:
- Sole proprietorships: the owner must be a woman who has been a resident of Veneto for at least two years;
- Partnerships or cooperatives: at least half of the partners must be women residing in Veneto for at least two years, or women must hold the majority of the capital shares with the same residency requirement;
- Corporations (capital companies): the majority of the board members must be women residing in Veneto for at least two years, or women must hold the majority of the capital shares with the same residency requirement;
- Consortia: must be made up of at least 51% women-led enterprises;
- Professional women: registered with professional orders or members of professional associations listed under Law No. 4 of January 14, 2013, and residing in Veneto for at least two years. In the case of associated professionals, the majority of the association must consist of women residing in Veneto.
These requirements must be met by March 7, 2025, and maintained for the following three years. If the requirements are no longer met, the enterprise or professional will lose the right to the grant.
REQUIREMENTS AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION
At the time of application, SMEs and professional women must meet the following criteria:
- SMEs (including professionals operating as companies): must be properly registered in the Business Register at the competent Chamber of Commerce by March 7, 2025, even if currently inactive.
- Individual or associated professionals: must be registered with a professional order or belong to a professional association recognized by the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy, holding the certification provided for under Law No. 4/2013.
ELIGIBLE PROJECTS
Projects eligible for funding include support for starting, establishing, or expanding new entrepreneurial activities, as well as renewing or enlarging existing businesses. Projects must be completed and operational by December 16, 2025, or by the date of the final payment request, if earlier.
ELIGIBLE EXPENSES
The following expenses are eligible:
For SMEs (excluding professionals operating as companies):
- Machinery, systems, hardware, equipment;
- New factory furniture (up to €15,000);
- Company vans or trucks for business use only (up to €12,000);
- Construction and system works (up to €10,000);
- Renewable energy systems, software, and e-commerce platforms (up to €10,000);
- Security system upgrades (up to €10,000);
- General expenses (up to €3,500).
For professional women:
- Machinery, systems, hardware, equipment;
- New factory furniture (up to €5,000);
- Construction and system works (up to €3,000);
- Software and e-commerce platforms (up to €4,000);
- Security system upgrades (up to €3,000);
- General expenses (up to €2,000).
Expenses must be incurred between January 1, 2025, and December 16, 2025, and paid for goods and services purchased under market conditions from third parties.
GRANT DETAILS
The grant is awarded as a non-repayable contribution equal to 30% of eligible expenses, as follows:
For SMEs:
- Maximum grant: €51,000 (for a minimum eligible expense of €170,000);
- Minimum grant: €6,000 (for a minimum eligible expense of €20,000).
For professional women:
- Maximum grant: €12,000 (for a minimum eligible expense of €40,000);
- Minimum grant: €3,600 (for a minimum eligible expense of €12,000).
Applications involving investments below €20,000 (for SMEs) or €12,000 (for professionals) will not be considered eligible.
APPLICATION PROCESS AND TIMELINE
Applications can be submitted online from March 11, 2025, at 10:00 AM to March 25, 2025, at 12:00 PM. Applications will be evaluated through a ranking procedure, based on specific priority criteria. The preliminary ranking will be determined by the score awarded to the following factors:
- Percentage of female employees hired with permanent or apprenticeship contracts;
- Number of women hired on permanent contracts between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2024;
- Percentage of women among shareholders/partners;
- Number of young shareholders/partners (under 36 years old);
- Projects located in areas particularly affected by economic crises or with special designations, such as the Simplified Logistics Zone of the Port of Venice.
Other criteria include the possession of quality or legality certifications and inclusion in specific regional registries.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Tel: +39 0429 603233
Email: info@euteknos.ito@euteknos.it
