The Municipality of Póvoa de Varzim, via the Espaço Empresa (Business Space), informs that the application period is open for the notice COMPETE2030–2026-12 STEP – Productive Innovation – Energy. This support is intended for productive investment operations in the strategic sectors of the Strategic Technologies for Europe (STEP) Platform, focusing on the manufacturing of critical technologies and the preservation of their value chains, within the domain of clean and resource-efficient technologies relevant to the ecological transition.
Companies of any size, nature, and legal form, with organized accounting, that meet the eligibility requirements defined in Decree-Law No. 20-A/2023 and REITD are eligible to apply. Eligible operations are innovative in nature, resulting in the production of tradable and internationalizable goods and services with high added value and a high level of national incorporation, contributing to the STEP objectives through the manufacturing of critical technologies or investments that strengthen value chains in the clean and resource-efficient technology sector.
Investments to be supported may include the production of final products within critical technologies, specific components and machinery for their manufacturing, production or recovery of critical raw materials, and associated services. Interventions for initial investment or a new economic activity are eligible, including the creation of a new establishment, diversification of production, or a fundamental change in the production process.
The total budget for the notice is €100,000,000.00, with a maximum financing rate of 70%. The eligible cost of the application must be equal to or greater than €3,000,000 and less than €25,000,000, unless duly justified. The application period ends on January 4, 2027, at 5 PM.
