This programme supports joint internationalisation operations promoted by non-business entities, with activities directed at SMEs, with the objective of enhancing SMEs’ international growth, export capacity, and global recognition. The operations are designed to foster coordinated international promotion initiatives, enabling SMEs to increase their presence in external markets and improve access to new international business opportunities.
Supported actions focus on collective approaches to internationalisation, including promotional and marketing initiatives, participation in international fairs and exhibitions, and market prospecting activities, allowing SMEs to benefit from shared resources, knowledge, and international exposure.
Requirements
Eligible joint operations aimed at the internationalisation of SMEs include actions focused on:
a) Knowledge of external markets, including participation in international trade fairs and exhibitions;
b) Prospecting and presence in international markets, including initiatives for prospecting and acquiring new international clients;
c) International promotion and marketing activities, including the use of web-based tools and digital platforms.
Eligible beneficiaries are public or private non-profit entities of an associative nature with activities directed at SMEs, including, namely:
- Business associations;
- Chambers of commerce and industry;
- Regional tourism promotion agencies;
- Other non-business entities of the National Research and Innovation System.
This call applies to the NUTS II regions of mainland Portugal: North, Centre, Lisbon, Alentejo, and Algarve.
The total funding allocation available for this call is €151,500,000, financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), distributed as follows:
- COMPETE 2030: €150,000,000 – maximum co-financing rate of 50%;
- Lisbon 2030: €500,000 – maximum co-financing rate of 40%;
- Algarve 2030: €1,000,000 – maximum co-financing rate of 40%.
The support is granted in the form of a non-repayable grant.
The application period runs from 11 July 2025 to 30 June 2026 at 17:00 (Lisbon time), according to the following phases:
-
Phase 1: deadline on 30 October 2025 (17:00);
-
Phase 2: deadline on 27 February 2026 (17:00);
-
Phase 3: deadline on 30 June 2026 (17:00).
Learn more
For more information, please visit compete2030.gov.pt
